Team

South Range

Record	Div.	Conf.
13/1	Div. V	Independents

Team

Western Reserve

Record	Div.	Conf.
8/3	Div. VII	Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference

Raiders’ defense shuts down W. Reserve

By Greg Gulas

spors@vindy.com

BERLIN CENTER

Seth Morrow’s late heroics helped South Range put away Western Reserve on the road Friday night.

Morrow scored two touchdowns in a span of 1 minute, 49 seconds in the fourth quarter to lift the Raiders to a 17-7, come-from-behind victory over the Blue Devils in an Inter-Tri County intra-divisional clash.

It was the Raiders’ 33rd win in 39 all-time tries against Western Reserve.

“Our offensive line really dug in so credit them for all the protection that they provided tonight,” Morrow said. “They’re a group of hard workers that spends a lot of time in the weight room. Also, credit running back Ethan Dominguez for his hard running. He gained valuable yards that kept drives alive.”

After a scoreless first half in which South Range (2-1) held the Blue Devils (1-2) to just 54 yards (on 24 plays), Western Reserve proved to be just as stingy as it held the Raiders to 104 total yards with all but 11 coming on the ground.

South Range kicker Levi Taylor broke the scoreless deadlock with a 40-yard field goal at 6:09 of the third period as the Raiders took a 3-0 advantage heading to the final quarter.

His field goal was just one yard shy of the school mark, which was set by Roy Thillberg when he connected on a 41-yarder against Springfield Local in 1999.

“It was a perfect snap by Mitch Dolak and a perfect hold by Aniello Buzzacco,” Taylor said. “Everything was set up when our defense forced a three-and-out on their first drive of the second half and after our offense moved the ball into scoring position.”

Western Reserve recovered an on-side kick to start the half, but was forced to punt when the South Range defense allowed just three total yards on their first three plays after intermission.

“This was a phenomenal game between two great football programs, so credit the kids because they did everything that they needed to do in order to win,” veteran South Range head coach Dan Yeagley said. “Western Reserve coach Andy Hake always has his team ready to play so you better be ready as well. Seth did a great job for us in running the offense, but he is still learning our system. The offensive line also did an excellent job, as did the entire defense, so you can see that this was a real team effort.”

The Blue Devils took their only lead of the game 55 seconds into the final frame when quarterback Wyatt Larimer found Jeep DiCioccio from 15 yards away for a 7-3 advantage.

Morrow then engineered an eight-play, 57-yard drive, covering the final five yards on foot for a 10-7 lead.

That came after Taymer Graham forced a Larimer fumble that was returned to the Blue Devils’ 5-yard line.

Morrow then raced the final two yards to increase the South Range lead to 17-7 mid-way through the quarter.

“This is a disciplined defense that practiced hard all week, despite the hot weather,” Graham said. “We have a lot to prove yet so every game for us feels like it has a playoff atmosphere.”

Western Reserve head coach Andy Hake said his team had some opportunities, but failed to take advantage.

“We’ve had a couple of bad breaks over the first three games, but we’re going to fix it,” Hake said. “I plan on winning the last seven games of the season.

“This team plays as hard as any that I have had and our senior group is as loyal as well. I’ve been involved in a number of games like this, so hats off to South Range tonight.”

Morrow led all rushers with 77 yards on 19 carries. Dominguez added 76 yards on 21 attempts for the Raiders.

Larimer completed nine of 17 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown for the Blue Devils.