JFK's big-play offense is test for S. Range

This will be the third playoff meeting between the teams.
By BILL SULLIVAN
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NORTH LIMA -- In his four years starting for the South Range High School football team, senior quarterback Ryan Maxwell has had several memorable games.
But one battle, two years ago, has stayed with him vividly -- the playoff win over Warren Kennedy at Bo Rein Stadium in week 12 that keep an unbeaten Raiders' season alive.
In an utter act of coincidence, South Range is 11-0 for just the second time in school history and again is paired with JFK at Bo Rein Stadium Friday.
"That's one of the biggest games I remember," said Maxwell of the 31-13 win over the Eagles in 2001. "The atmosphere. Our fans were great. They had tons of fans there.
"It was a big-hype game. You play for playing in games like that."
Maxwell's role
A wide receiver at the time, Maxwell came up with a couple catches in the game and picked up a timely interception which swung the game in South Range's favor.
"It was just memorable," said Maxwell. "We ended up winning which made it 10 times better. I remember it like it was yesterday. I really loved playing in that game."
This year, Maxwell is 71-for-123 passing for 1,145 yards while he's run for 712 more yards.
Perhaps his biggest carry came late in the Mineral Ridge game three weeks ago.
With three minutes remaining the Rams led 3-0. A pass interception and a lengthy run put the Raiders back in the game. Maxwell went the final 15 yards in the 7-3 victory.
Raiders coach Dan Yeagley thought back on the 2001 playoff win and knows the Eagles are a potent opponent.
"They have so many weapons," he said of JFK. "They're good; their skill kids are so talented.
"They have the capability of busting a play every single time. They can go 80 yards every time."
In 1992, JFK defeated South Range in a playoff game at Boardman in their only other meeting.
JFK runs a spread offense which will present a different look for South Range.
"All of us have to swarm to the ball," said South Range nose tackle Andy Grantz. "Their kids, when they hit the hole, they can be gone. They have a lot of speed.
"We have to wrap up. We can't miss any tackles."
Grantz has a near-perfect 34 composite on the ACT -- a fact that flies in the face of the dumb football player stereotype.
Colleges
"He's looking at some very impressive colleges, some of which I can't even pronounce," said Yeagley.
For the record, Grantz is considering MIT, Rice and Washington & amp; Lee.
Senior linebacker Russell Dawson also remembered the win over JFK two years back.
"People said it was one of the biggest wins in South Range history," Dawson said. "At the time we all knew it was a big game."
A three-year starter, Dawson leads the team with 79 solo tackles, has 22 tackles for losses and four fumble recoveries.
"You have to take them down on the first tackle, plus you just have to swarm to the ball," said Dawson of JFK.
sullivan@vindy.com