Rangers, Bulldogs battle in our Game of the Week

Press Sports Editor
sports@presspublications.com

Five turnovers.
That’s how many times Northwood either threw an interception or lost a fumble in last year’s 28-7 loss to Rossford.
The Rangers, who went 3-7 last year, out-gained the Bulldogs in total yards, 231-194, but were done in by their costly mistakes.
Rossford quarterback Jackson Schultz threw four touchdowns passes, three of which went to Xavier Kellermeier, who also intercepted two passes on defense.
It was the Bulldogs’ only victory of the season.
Now, the teams will battle in our opening Game of the Week.
It’s a contrast in styles with Rossford running a spread formation predicated around a dual-threat quarterback while Northwood employs the wishbone/flexbone offense.
Rossford coach Todd Drusback talked about guarding an offense that has multiple options on virtually every play.
“You have to play assignment football and be disciplined,” he said. “Everyone has to do their job, especially when you’re defending that style (of offense).
“They’re always going to have a handful of athletes, so we just have to do a great job of defending it,” he said.
Northwood QB Tyler Osley takes over this season, and he’ll be joined in the backfield by Julian Chappell and Landon Kidd. Galen Archer, Hunter Owens and John Sawyer are the primary receivers.
“We’d get lots of computer points with a win,” said Northwood coach Ken James. “Every possession with them is a nail-biter. We had real trouble running the ball on them last year, and they’ve got athletes on defense. We have to manufacture matchups and be diverse in running the ball.”
The Bulldogs have Tyler Clark at quarterback and Jayden Martens, Dylan Shannak and Luis Rivera are the wide receivers. Zaydin Morrison is a wing/outside receiver and the running backs are Ronnie Hawkins and Colton Hoskins. The tight end is Blake Dewey.
“Jayden is on the outside, Dylan is on the inside,” said Drusback. “Zaydin Morris could be a difference-maker for us this year.
“I like those guys, I feel like we have a guy that can stretch the defense with his speed. We’re excited about our skill guys,” he said.
James talked about how to neutralize the Rossford offense.
“Todd is very good at taking skill players and manipulating guys in space. He does a really good job of running an offense that’s tied to his personnel. If he has a quarterback that’s a great athlete, he’ll run him some; or if it’s a dropback passer, he’ll throw it,” said James. “They’re always big up front. That will be the toughest thing for us. We have to possess the ball on offense so our defenders don’t get worn down.”
The two teams played from 2015-18 with Rossford going 3-1.