Despite the scoreboard reading 45-7 in favor of Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference rival Springfield, Mineral Ridge coach Brian Shaner was proud of his team’s effort against the defending state runner-up.

“Springfield is a great football program,” Shaner said. “When you open up the season against a team like that, you know what you’re going to see. They’re ahead of us. They’re what you strive to be. We refer to them as the big three, Springfield, McDonald, Reserve. They did a great job upfront and that quarterback is something else.”

The Tigers got on the board quickly with a 5-yard touchdown run by quarterback junior Beau Brungard. Senior Austin Tindell pounded it in from 4 yards out to make it 14-0 with 2:35 left in the first quarter.

Then, Mineral Ridge gave the home fans reason to cheer when quarterback Mark Bunch hit senior Randall Miller for a huge catch and run down to the Tiger 10-yard line as the first quarter came to an end.

Unfortunately for the Rams, they fumbled in the backfield on third-and-5. Springfield recovered and the Tigers were back in business as the second quarter got underway.

Brungard tossed a perfect pass that Lukas Yemma hauled in over his shoulders and then raced down the sideline for a 42-yard gain. On second-and-8, Brungard found Nick Slike for another touchdown pass. Senior Clayton Medvec hammered the ball through the uprights and drilled the Ridge Band sign on the point after, making it 21-0.

On the Tigers’ next possession, Brungard made a nice fake handoff and kept the ball himself and scampered 37 yards to paydirt. Springfield added another touchdown making it 35-0 at halftime.

“I felt like early, our kids came out with a lot of enthusiasm,” Springfield coach Sean Guerriero said. ” It felt like we’ve been out for a while, so it’s good to get back on the field. Give credit to Mineral Ridge, they’re a good football team. I’m just glad we played strong. We take one game at a time.

“We have to remain disciplined and focused. We want to make sure we get better from week one to week two. The ultimate goal is to win a state championship.”

Springfield got off to a great start, in the second half, when Tindell ran the ball 37 yards to begin the third quarter. He finished the drive off with a 1-yard plunge into the end zone making it 42-0.

Then, the Rams picked up a first down, but failed on 4th and 5 to extend the drive. The Tigers got the ball and moved it enough to give

Medvec a shot at a field goal opportunity.

For most high school kickers, a 52-yard attempt isn’t very promising.

However, Medvec is one of the best kickers in the area. Medvec’s kick was perfect and Springfield led 45-0 with 10:35 left in the fourth.

Senior Austin Governor came out for football for the first time and was all over the field making tackles, at safety, for the Rams.

“Governor, what a game he had at safety. I thought Governor and Triston Weiss stepped up as first-year players and played great for us. I’m not disappointed in our guys. They played hard against a great football team.”

Mineral Ridge put a great drive together late, and Bunch found Jalen Royal-Eiland for the touchdown.