CLEVELAND — We hope you West Siders are ready for WKYC's next High School Football Game of the Week!
You certainly made your voices known in our poll, as this Friday's matchup between Normandy and North Ridgeville was the runaway winner in our poll. It's unfamiliar territory for both teams, who combined to win just four games last year but are each 2-0 this year.
The Invaders began the season with victories over Warrensville Heights and Cuyahoga Falls, beating the Tigers 37-0 last week behind four total touchdowns from Elijah Gray. Curtis Starks also ran for two scores, and joined Gray in eclipsing the 100-yard mark.
The Rangers' record is buoyed by a Thursday-night 21-20 win over Valley Forge, coming back from 13 points behind in the fourth quarter. Freshman running back Zach Barnhart led the way with two TDs.
Other than the COVID-shortened 2020 season, North Ridgeville is seeking its first playoff berth since 2015, while Normandy has not made the postseason since 2007.
This year, 3News will be presenting our Game of the Week during "What's Next" every Friday night, and you have the chance to pick where we travel. We'll announce our four nominees during "Sports Tonight" on Sunday evening and open the voting until noon on Thursday. Our crew will then head to the winning game on Friday, with Nick Camino showcasing expanded highlights of all the action at 11:20 p.m.
More high school football headlines:
- Saint Ignatius beats Mentor 26-20 in 3OT classic at FirstEnergy Stadium
- 'They proved me wrong': Pair of female players earn spots on Akron Buchtel High School football team
- Stark County native and Hall of Fame Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson dies at 87
- Rise in high school athletes mixed with shortage of equipment leads to problems at Northeast Ohio schools