Fallsnewspress.com - Woodridge football blasts Fairless in opener

by Michael Leonard

Sports Editor

Woodridge football coach Eric Ervin indicated in the preseason that his team might have to lean on its defense early as his new-look offense rounded into form.

If the week one game vs. Fairless is any indication, the Bulldogs offense already may be in high gear.

Woodridge put up more than 400 yards of total offense as the Bulldogs raced to an early 21-0 lead and cruised to a 38-13 win over Fairless in Navarre.

The Bulldogs offense was as balanced as it was explosive as three different Bulldogs ran in touchdowns, while quarterback Josh Robinson threw for another.

The margin of victory was even wider than last year's home win over Fairless (33-14).

Despite this, Ervin wasn't willing to call the contest a complete success.

"We did OK," Ervin said. "It was typical first game in a lot of ways. We've got to work on a lot of things.

"[More then 400 yards of total offense] is a positive sign but we had some missed opportunities," Ervin said. "There were some picks, but as often as we throw the ball, we're going to have picks."

Despite throwing three interceptions, Ervin said Robinson was the start of the night on offense, as the senior ran for 80 yards and threw for 190 in his first varsity start.

"He was the pleasant surprise of the night," Ervin said.

Robinson hit senior wideout Damon Antoine with a 65-yard bomb for Woodridge's second touchdown of the night.

Sophomore running back John Reid's first varsity game proved a big one as ran in a pair of touchdowns from 13 yards out and one yard out. Reid finished with 68 yards rushing on the night.

Senior Jawann Canty (15 yards) and backup quarterback Sean McCoy (5 yards) also ran into the end zone.

Sophomore placekicker Hunter Niswander went 5-of-5 on extra points and also booted a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Woodridge racked up 20 first downs on the night to Fairless' 6.

Woodridge's defense has a pretty solid night as well. The Bulldogs limited the Falcons to 56 passing yards on the nght.

Fairless did rack up 105 rushing yards, but 74 of those came on Fairless' lone big play of the night. Running back Travis Fritz ripped off a 74-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter, but was quiet for the rest of the night.

"Without that one big play, I think we would have held them below 50 yards rushing," Ervin said.

"Fairless is a much improved team from last year," Ervin added. "They play that Stark County brand of football."

Fairless' other score came on an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Travis Raper to wide receiver Brandon Hogue late in the third quarter.

Woodridge was set to host Gilmour Academy Sept. 3 at Lahoski Field, but results weren't available at press time.

"Gilmour is a much-improved team," Ervin said. "They're only two years removed from a regional final game with one of the best teams in the state in Youngstown Ursuline. We have to be ready to play."

The Bulldogs will play a Portage Trail Conference crossover game Sept. 10 when Norton comes to Lahoski Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

E-mail: mleonard@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113