The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
North rolls past University for first win
It was all about big plays to start each half and a dominant run game.
That was the key to success for the North Rangers as they defeated University, 41-14, at Carter Stadium in Eastlake on Sept. 4.
Led by the Rangers trio of senior quarterback Chris Molica and his two running backs, junior Mo Morgan and senior Donyea Ward, North rushed for 286 yards on its way to victory. Each one of Molica-MorganWard broke off a rushing touchdown that exceeded 50 yards.
“We want to run the football. We don’t try to hide from that. We want to run the football on a consistent basis,” Coach Shawn Dodd said. “We were able to get some long ones early to give us a little bit of a comfort zone.”
The first rushing touchdown paced the Rangers for their game plan to ground-and-pound the visiting Preppers.
On the first play of the game, Morgan busted through the line of scrimmage with a 73-yard touchdown to put North ahead, 7-0.
That wasn’t enough according to Molica. On the second play of the ensuing drive, Molica sprinted 81 yards for his first touchdown of the night. With the help of the massive offensive line, Molica’s second score took every ounce of his 155-pound frame to punch it in the end zone from the goal line.
“We just wanted to come out and run our stuff. We did that tonight and we were very efficient. We put some points up,” Molica said.
Molica, who runs a 4.54 40yard dash, accounted for 108 of his team’s rushing yards in the game.
“He’s a dude. I think he is one of, if not the most, explosive players in the conference,” Dodd said. “He ripped off 100-some yards last week against maybe the best defense in the state in Division III with Chardon and had an 80-yard run last week.
“He is a special player. Any school that doesn’t offer him to play slot or returner is nuts. You can see him when he’s in the open field. The kid is just unbelievable and I am glad he’s on our team.”
With the help Molica’s two rushing touchdowns, the Rangers went ahead, 20-0.
Despite the hot start of North, University responded with the Solomon Perez to Brian Kellon touchdown-connection to cut the deficit to two possessions.
But North had one last long run in them. This time, Ward went 57 yards on senior night for the Rangers’ fourth rushing touchdown of the half.
Then, the Perez-to-Kellon connection came with 29 seconds remaining in the half. In just his second career football game, Perez had two touchdowns on three receptions for 75 yards in one half.
“I am getting used to it — my fellow wide receivers and fellow teammates. Of course my quarterback, who is also in his first year as the starter,” Kellon said describing his transition to football. “I have always wanted to play football. I finally decided to play.”
To start the second half, North’s Curtis Thomas returned and interception for a touchdown. At the start of the fourth quarter, Joey Skolny intercepted Perez to seal North’s first victory of the season.
“We have a long way to go. We have a talented but young football team. We just have to have the mindset that we have to keep improving and we have an opportunity to continue to improve,” University coach Ben Malbasa said.
The Preppers fell to 0-2 on the season and will play Lutheran East next week. North (1-1) plays Madison next week.