INTER-COUNTY LEAGUE Hack, Hall guide Rams past Tigers
Mineral Ridge is hoping for a first-round home game in the playoffs.
By JIM FLICK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MINERAL RIDGE -- Running back John Hack scored touchdowns on long runs at the start of both halves, leading Mineral Ridge High to a 58-21 victory over Inter-County League rival Springfield Friday night.
The win apparently assured the Rams of a spot in the playoffs. Mineral Ridge (8-2, 5-1 in the ICL) is hoping for a home game in the first round of the playoffs, according to coach Shawn Brown. Mineral Ridge lost a first-round game in last year's playoffs and Brown said last year's experience will help this year's team.
Brown credited solid line play and a 1-2 punch at running back for his team's success.
Hack, who gained 251 yard on just 10 carries, landed the first punch on the game's third play from scrimmage, when he unleashed a 75-yard romp into the end zone.
The Rams scored two more touchdowns and a field goal to the Tigers' two first-half touchdowns to hold a 23-13 halftime lead.
Pulling away
Hack landed his second punch on the first play from scrimmage in the second half. To start the second half, Springfield fumbled the kickoff to Mineral Ridge. On the next play, Hack scored on a 47-yard run. The next time he touched the ball, Hack jabbed another blow, an 87-yard touchdown run.
After the game, Hack said he wanted to deliver a message Springfield both times the teams emerged from the locker room: "We wanted to say, 'We mean business.' "
Hack wasn't the only member of Mineral Ridge's potent offense who meant business. Running back Micah Hall - the other half of the 1-2 running back punch cited by Brown - gained 83 yards on 16 carries. But Hack also credited Hall with providing key blocks, saying that Hall "gave me some nice lanes to run in" on his long gains.
Rams quarterback Vance Kiersay completed all six passes he threw for 185 yards.
Tiger leaders
Springfield's offense was led by sophomore running back Jarrod Lewis, who gained 79 yards on 19 carries, and scored two touchdowns. He scored his first touchdown in the first quarter, to tie the game, and his second in the second quarter to pull the Tigers close, at 14-13.
Sophomore running back Nathan Schuler gained 70 yards on six carries and scored the Tigers' third touchdown. Quarterback Andrew Schuler completed 11-of-20 passes for 136 yards.
The Tigers started four sophomores on offense Friday night, Smith said, adding that his team's 7-3 record exceeded expectations.
"The young kids stepped up," he said, noting the success of the sophomores means better days lie ahead next year.
"Mineral Ridge," Smith continued, "has some very talented athletes and it just kinda snowballed against us in the second half."