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Please note that there will be a team preview story in the next print edition, in time for the home opener on Friday.
GOOLSBY'S BIG NIGHT NOT ENOUGH AGAINST BEES
The Lakewood High School football season started Friday night at Medina High School. The weather was ideal, with temperatures in the low 70s, light breezes and no rain. Sadly for the Rangers, the scoreboard was not as friendly as the thermometer. The Medina Bees hammered the Rangers 56-13, despite two touchdowns from Ranger senior Michael Goolsby.
The Rangers took the opening kickoff of the game, and put together a good drive into Medina territory. Junior running back Quentin Palmer carried the ball four times for 26 yards on the drive, which stalled at the Medina 37 yard line. The Ranger defense forced a “three and out” on the first Bee offensive drive, which resulted in a punt. The second Ranger possession was a “three and out” that lost four yards, causing a punt. The Bees returned that punt to the Lakewood 34 yard line, giving their offense a short field to work. The Ranger D forced a 3rd and 11 play from the 20 yard line, but the Bees scored on a 20 yard pass play to take a 6-0 lead (the extra point was missed).
The next Ranger possession turned the tide of the game. Quarterback Jack Witri dropped back on a 2nd and 10, but was blindsided by the Bee defense. He fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Medina to set up another short field. Medina scored their second TD on a “3rd and Goal” play from the 20 yard line with just under a minute left in the third quarter. A successful two-point conversion made the score 14-0 Bees.
The ensuing kickoff gave Ranger fans a much needed lift. Goolsby returned the ball 77 yards, all the way to the Medina 23 yard line. However, the Rangers were unable to score, turning the ball over on downs at the Medina 15 yard line. Senior safety Adam Giffels gave Lakewood fans some more hope, getting an interception on the ensuing Bee drive. However, that Lakewood drive stalled, and Medina scored quickly on a four play touchdown drive to make the score 21-0 with 4:28 left in the first half.
Goolsby again electrified the Ranger faithful, returning the next kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. He eluded the initial wave of Bee defenders, then outraced the rest of Medina’s coverage up the right sideline. The return was the first score of the season for Lakewood, and cut the lead to 21-7 with 4:14 left in the half. Sadly, Medina scored on its first play from scrimmage, a 62 yard touchdown run. This made the score 28-7. The next Ranger drive resulted in an interception, and the Bees tacked on one more touchdown for a 35-7 halftime lead. Another Bee touchdown early in the third quarter made it 42-7, resulting in a “running clock”.
Jack Witri hit Goolsby with a 56 yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 42-13. Goolsby ran a nice pattern up the left side and Witri hit him in stride. Goolsby demonstrated his speed by outracing his man to the endzone. Medina closed the scoring with two more touchdowns, making it a 56-13 final.
The Rangers open their home season on Friday at First Federal Lakewood Stadium. They take on the Berea-Midpark Titans at 7pm.
