Rangers Fall Short in Spring Game, But the Future Looks Bright

Restoration Academy spoiled the end to Lyman Ward's spring, defeating the Rangers 26-6, but head coach Sheldon Ward said the team had a much more productive 15 days this year than in his first year at the helm.

"We played a lot better," said Ward. "We won't see a team with as much talent as they had all year, so I'm not too worried about the score. We moved the ball well, we just stalled at times and shot ourselves in the foot."

Replacing Justin Minor, the Lyman Ward quarterback who is headed to Erie Community College in New York to play next season, will be a big hurdle for this year's team. John Koob is the frontrunner to fill his shoes, and he showed flashes of good play during Friday's spring scrimmage.

He was just 2-for-6 for 17 yards through the air, but he carried seven times for 63 yards, including a breakaway run of 42 yards for the Rangers' only score.
"He played well for the most part," said Ward. "He threw pretty decent and looked good running. He's going to be fine in our offense. We're not going to be as explosive or have as many big plays as last year, but we've got a lot of guys who can help us move the ball."

Justin Quinn figures to be one of those main guys, as he is the leading returner total yards-wise for Lyman Ward. He picked up 37 yards on seven carries and intercepted two balls on defense from the free safety spot. Zavious Darling, an All-Outlook offensive lineman from a year ago, got five chances to carry the ball and picked up 26 yards. Eric Murdoch added 23 yards on the ground, as well.

"The backs were a bright spot for us," Ward said. "We didn't really have much trouble moving the ball, we just had a few mishaps that can be corrected. Fifteen days is not enough to get an offense in, but we got the basics and that's all that matters. That's what we're trying to build on."

Ward said offensive guard John Alumbaugh stood out to him as a newcomer that performed well during the game.

The game concluded Lyman Ward's spring drills. The Rangers now head into the summer, looking to get ready to improve on last year's 2-8 mark.