Just as the rest of Ohio, the aura of excitement came to North Olmsted as it suited up for its first game.
“For everybody in Ohio, you’ve put all this work in since the end of the season banquet last year,: North Olmsted coach Tim Brediger said. “These kids have lifted up to five days a week that started since Thanksgiving (of 2022). Like everybody, high school football in Ohio is awesome.”
All of the offseason work North Olmsted put forth will be put to the test as it rematches North Ridgeville, which defeated the Eagles, 34-21, in last year’s season opener. The Eagles will travel to North Ridgeville on Aug. 18 to rectify the loss from last year.
North Ridgeville takes big step in win over North Olmsted
"I think this year, we have a chip on our shoulder, because they came into our house and beat us our first game of the season," North Olmsted running back Logan Dangerfield said. "I think we will have a chip on our shoulder coming into the game. All week, we have been focusing on the game and getting ready."
North Olmsted led, 21-13, at halftime, but the Rangers came up with big plays on third down and ran the ball well to outscore the Eagles, 21-0, in the second half.
"We had (North Ridgeville) in third-and-long several times, and we let them off the hook," Brediger said. "What translated for them is that they made plays and we forced them into throwing the ball a lot. They made plays."
The conditioning played a factor as well. Having several players play on both sides of the ball, North Olmsted struggled to keep up with the Rangers' two-platoon offense and defense. North Ridgeville nearly rushed for 300 yards, which also took a toll on the Eagles' stamina.
"I think this year, I think we are definitely more prepared than we were last year," Dangerfield said. "We were doing a little more conditioning, because last year, we were in our conditioning state (for Week 1). We got prepared for that aspect."
North Ridgeville comes back with many of its starters returning, which includes four offensive linemen, running back Zack Barnhart and H-back Charlie Steinmetz. Against its offensive scheme, eye discipline will be key for North Olmsted's success.
"They do some things similar to us with our option scheme. The thing with a zone scheme is eye discipline," Brediger said. "If our guys are looking at jet motion and they run an inside zone, we are beat. If we aren't watching guards pull when they pull, we are beat. If we don't have someone on the pitch guy (on quarterback options), we are beat. We have to be eye-disciplined, be in your gap and be a sound football player."
North Ridgeville’s Charlie Steinmetz shows versatility on offense
The same cannot be said for North Olmsted, which lost All-Ohioans Xavier Balson, Jared Kelley on offense and Gavin Beasley on the defensive line. However, defensive lineman Jacob Holtz believes his team has the right mentally that can produce wins.
"I think that we have a lot of grit. We are perfectionists, always look for more and we are never content with what we have achieved and always want more," he said.
Aug. 18 will also be the first time quarterback Tommy Horsfall will play under the lights as North Olmsted's starting quarterback. The team has been impressed with the junior's growth as a passer and from a chemistry aspect.
Returning standout Collin Willard thinks his team is up for the Week 1 challenge, based off the preseason scrimmages against Berea-Midpark and Madison.
"We are really excited (for Week 1). We had two really tough scrimmages, so I think that got us really prepared for this game," he said. "Madison was really physical. On the physical side of things, they helped us get that up. Berea-Midpark, with its size speed and strength, they really opened our eyes to everything (that we needed)."
North Olmsted started its season 0-2, at the hands of North Ridgeville in Week 1 and to Green, 51-41, in Week 2. The Eagles think that starting the season off 1-0, would be a boost in confident and set the tone for the season.
North Olmsted at North Ridgeville
What: Nonconference game
Where: Ranger Stadium
When: Aug. 18, 7 p.m.
2021 records: North Olmsted 8-4, North Ridgeville 5-6