High school football: Cole Miller, Dylan DeShazo form winning relationship at North Ridgeville

You can just imagine Jason Case, the public-address announcer at North Ridgeville, making the call. "Pass from Cole Miller to Dylan DeShazo. First down Rangers." Those words have been said many times this year at Ranger Stadium as North Ridgeville has compiled another very good season. Case is one of the best announcers in the county and Miller, a two-year senior starter, has been the bread and butter of the Rangers offensive attack. With four-year starter Zack Barnhart — No. 3 in school history in rushing yards — sidelined with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Miller has become the focal point of the passing and running schemes. "When we had the injury to Zack against Midview, we kind of knew we'd have to lean on Cole the rest of the year," coach Bryan Morgan said. "Since we've done that, we've averaged 38 points. He's doing everything for us, making plays. A lot of times, the touchdowns that were thrown and running aren't designed the way we had them. He just went ahead and did it himself." Just when it appeared Miller was stopped or about to go out of bounds, he turned a short gain into a long one, including some impressive touchdown runs. He had a 73-yarder against Valley Forge and a 58-yarder at Midview and stiffed-armed a would-be tackler to complete a 55-yard touchdown pass to Mason Allison against Amherst last week. "It's awesome to have the ability to do that," Miller said. "My teammates making the blocks for me down the field. Coaches calling the good plays. It's just awesome to get in the end zone and win us games." "We told him at the beginning of the year there are times when you're going to have to slide or go out of bounds," Morgan said. "He doesn't like to hear that. He's 6-5, 238 pounds and he's going to get yards where he can get them." DeShazo, another senior, has been Miller's favorite target with 30 receptions, 456 yards and six touchdowns. He's also picked up 198 yards on 20 carries. In the 42-28 win over Amherst, Miller threw for 181 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a 42-yarder to DeShazo. He also ran for three scores and 128 yards. DeShazo caught four passes for 56 yards. "Dylan has had two two-touchdown games in a row. He's rolling," Miller said. DeShazo's older brother, Austin, graduated last year after being the middle linebacker and kicker. He's playing at John Carroll. "He was a great role model," DeShazo said. "He was a smart kid and always pushed me to be better. Pushed me to lift more and be a better person overall." North Ridgeville is 8-1, 5-1 in the Southwestern Conference, despite entering the season with an unproven offensive line. Its only loss was to Avon. The Rangers will play at Olmsted Falls (6-3, 4-2) to finish the regular season tonight. North Ridgeville is ranked fourth in Division II, Region 6 and would in line for a first-round bye and a second-round home playoff game with a win. Miller has rushed for over 800 yards and 13 touchdowns and thrown for nearly 1,200 yards with 11 touchdowns. He has to be considered a candidate for the Lorain County Golden Helmet Award. It's taken some work in the offseason for Miller, who was a key player for North Ridgeville's basketball team. "Getting in the weight room every day with me and my teammates," he said. "Gotta get stronger, bigger. Putting on a lot of weight this offseason really changes that. "We were one game away from a district championship (basketball). I think that really sets the mindset of where North Ridgeville athletics needs to be and that's what we're trying to do right here." DeShazo isn't the only weapon in Miller's arsenal. Senior Duke Baker has hauled in 26 passes for 283 yards and a pair of scores. Junior Cole Allison (21 receptions, 229 yards) and sophomore brother Mason (11 receptions, 141 yards) are capable wideouts. Sophomores Matt Flesher and Luke Bartell have combined to rush for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns. "I've been pleasantly surprised by the ability of our skill guys all year long," said Morgan. "(DeShazo) had a great offseason, especially running track, where his best time was an 11.1 100-meter dash. When he gets the ball in his hands, he's dangerous. Him and Cole have something special going on right now." Senior Jason Ellison is the center, senior Stephen Spears and sophomore Logan Laska the guards and junior Gavin Knoepp and sophomore Noah Cassetto the tackles. Senior Ashton Cassetto, who starts on the defensive line, has played on the offensive line, as well. "Every week they've been getting better and better," said Miller. "Pass protection, they're getting the run game down. They're just pushing people off the line. They're doing amazing." "Our coaches did a good job getting the line together and our whole offense," said DeShazo. "You have to do your job — one of 11. You have to get open for your quarterback. Cole will run around the whole time but he'll find you eventually." Morgan may have raised a few eyebrows when he switched from basketball coach to football coach five years ago. Morgan is 33-21 overall but 25-8 since the start of 2023. The Rangers will make their fourth consecutive postseason appearance. "We're blessed to be where we're at right now but we know we have a tough opponent (tonight) and we have some tough opponents coming ahead of us," said Morgan. "I'm really proud of the resiliency that these guys have had. We were down against Midview and came back to win it. We were down against Berea-Midpark and came back to win it and Amherst came out and they tied the ballgame up in the fourth quarter and our guys stayed with it." Contact Tim Gebhardt at (440) 329-7135 or timothygeb@msn.com.