INTER-COUNTY LEAGUE South Range routs Western Reserve, prepares for Tigers

The Raiders never trailed in the 41-7 victory.
By RYAN JONES
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BERLIN CENTER -- It was smooth sailing for the South Range High football team from the beginning of their Inter-County League contest with Western Reserve.
The Raiders occupied the lead the entire game to post a 41-7 victory Friday.
South Range opened the game by running the ball often and with good results.
"We really wanted to establish the run tonight and did a pretty good job of accomplishing that," South Range coach Dan Yeagley said.
Tony Darkadakis put the first points on the board when he rumbled in from 41 yards out.
The Raiders continued to lean on their effective run game. In the second quarter tailback Brian Novak plunged in for a 4-yard score to push the lead to 14-0.
On the next South Range possession, quarterback Ryan Maxwell crossed the goal line on a dazzling 17-yard scramble, which featured a head-first dive to the pylon.
"When I turned the corner, I saw the end zone and knew I had to find a way in," Maxwell said. "The leap was effective."
Pulling away
The air attack picked up in the second half. Maxwell connected with Darkadakis, who ran 7 yards for the score. He then proceeded to hook up with tight end Josh Dunn for a 10-yard pass play.
"Running the ball effectively helped to open up our passing options. We found a nice balance on offense tonight," Yeagley said.
Maxwell completed 11 of 15 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Darkadakis totaled two touchdowns, one rushing and one through the air, and added 61 yards on the ground.
The South Range defense performed equal to the stellar offense. The Devils were stifled numerous times, with their only touchdown coming in the second quarter when Blue Devil fullback Luke Srock bruised his way into the end zone from 1 yard out.
"Our defense made plays throughout the evening by forcing a few turnovers and disrupting their flow on offense," Yeagley said.
South Range will face rival Springfield next week.
"Whew," Maxwell reacted. "Springfield is always an intense battle but also fun, at the same time."