South Range stays perfect with rout of United

By JIM FLICK

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

NORTH LIMA — The South Range High football team maintained its share of the conference lead and hopes for victories in the state playoffs by stomping United, 51-6.

“We got better tonight,” South Range coach Dan Yeagley said after Friday’s game, a statement that should worry future opponents of the undefeated Raiders (6-0, 4-0 Inter-Tri-County League Tier One).

Ten backs compiled 310 yards rushing for South Range in only 32 carries.

Senior Steve Bensinger led the Raiders in carries, gaining 48 yards in 11 workman-like carries.

But South Range’s statistical leaders were more spectacular.

The team’s leading rusher was sophomore Nick Golec, who compiled 76 yards in just three carries including a 72-yard romp for a touchdown.

Hunter Spitz, a sophomore, added 72 yards in four carries, including 59-yard dash.

Junior quarterback Jack Dawson launched an aerial attack for South Range, completing five of 10 passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns.

“It was an awesome game,” Yeagley said. “A lot of kids contributed tonight. We put in a lot of sophomores and the linemen did a great job.”

Coaches singled out offensive linemen Levi Kenney, Michael Hudak, Dan Pierce and Tom Biroschak for opening the holes.

South Range’s first score came late in the first quarter when senior Chris Novak smashed into the end zone from the 7-yard line.

The Raiders defense then held United without a first down, forcing a punt, and South Range quickly marched down the field for a second first-quarter score. This time, senior Craig Jones punched the ball in from the 1-yard line.

South Range scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to put the game out of reach.

Senior Charlie Lengyel scored when he snagged a 12-yard pass from Dawson, Golec scored on his 72-yard jaunt and Bensinger caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Dawson.

The only scoring in the third quarter came when South Range J.C. Willison booted a 38-yard field goal. Willison had missed a 57-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter.

Yeagley said he wasn’t trying to run up the score on United because he wanted Willison to have the opportunity to kick in game conditions.

The Raiders’lead reached 48-0 early in the fourth quarter when Golec scored in a 55-yard pass from Dawson.

United (3-4, 1-3) ended the shutout in the fourth quarter when Taylor Phillips caught an 81-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Jimmy Phillis.

The Golden Eagles depended on Phillis’passing in the second half because South Range stymied United’s running attack.

United gained only 31 yards rushing against South Range, and didn’t record a first down until less than two minutes remained in the first half.

South Range ended the scoring when sophomore Hunter Spitz plunged into the end zone from the 2-yard line.