NORTH LIMA S. Range secures share of ICL title

The Raiders remained unbeaten in their 38-6 win over McDonald.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NORTH LIMA -- The South Range High football team wrapped up a share of the Inter-County League championship and a possible Division V home playoff berth with an impressive 38-6 win over McDonald Friday.
With a victory over Jackson-Milton next Friday, South Range (9-0, 6-0) can win the title outright for the first time since 1997.
"It feels good to get a share," said South Range coach Dan Yeagley. "We still have one more game to go so anything can happen."
The Raiders are ranked sixth in this week's Associated Press poll of Ohio's Division V teams. They also are rated third in this week's computer playoff ratings for Region 17.
The Raiders overcame a strong first-half effort by McDonald (5-4, 4-2) and cruised to an easy victory.
24-0 lead: Leading 10-0 at halftime, South Range took advantage of two consecutive turnovers by McDonald early in the third period. The Raiders parlayed those miscues into 14 points and a 24-0 lead.
On McDonald's second play in the period, South Range's Jason King recovered a fumble on the 30 yard line. Tailback Brad Johnson scored four plays later on a 5-yard touchdown run.
Johnson finished with 87 yards rushing on 11 carries.
On the ensuing kickoff, Raider Hogie Walley recovered another fumble at McDonald's 26. The Raiders marched to a score seven plays later when Jeff Johnston scored from 1 yard out.
Johnston was the game's leading rusher with 109 yards on 16 carries. He scored two touchdowns to lead the Raiders offense.
Third quarter: "The third period just killed us," McDonald coach Dan Williams said. "Two turnovers and they capitalize with 14 points. It was just too much to come back."
The Blue Devils had their chances in the first half but failed to take advantage.
After surrendering 10 points early on a Jon Styer 30-yard field goal and a Jason King 13-yard touchdown run, McDonald was inside the Raiders 26 before turning the ball over on downs.
The Devils also marched 53 yards in 11 plays but failed to score on a 4th-and-1 with 7 seconds remaining until halftime.
"We had our opportunities in the first half," Williams said. "Who knows, if we get points there it might have been a different game in the second half."
Big four: Johnston, Johnson and King -- along with quarterback Jim Sanders -- are strong and fast and work well together.
"Those guys keep going all night," Yeagley said. "It's nice to be able to give everyone a chance to run the ball, and they all run hard. They also block very well for each other."
South Range ball carriers accounted for 267 yards rushing and controlled the clock by netting 17 first downs. Sanders also completed 5 of 9 passes for 62 yards as the Raiders outgained McDonald 329-152 in total yards.
McDonald was led by fullback Jeff Ashton, who gained 64 yards on the ground.
The Blue Devils got their only score late in the third period when quarterback Jason Joynes connected with Greg Gustovich for a 28-yard scoring pass play.
South Range's Brian Novak tacked on the Raiders' final points with an 8-yard touchdown run.