North Ridgeville loves to run the football, but something is needed to keep defenses on their toes.
The Rangers answer is Charlie Steinmetz, whose versatility provides the change-up needed for their offense.
“It’s one of those things that we don’t want to be a one-dimensional team,” North Ridgeville Coach Bryan Morgan said. “Zack Barnhart is a good running back and Cole (Miller) can run the ball too, Andrew Ennis is a returning ‘S’ for us and Ryan Anderson is our slot receiver. We want to be able to do everything and it’s really nice to have Charlie (Steinmetz), because he will take a little weight off those guys.”
Steinmetz was a second team All-Northeast Lakes District nomination in 2022. He led North Ridgeville in total yards as he proves to be one of its main playmakers at 6-foot, 185 pounds.
“Charlie (Steinmetz) does everything for us,” Morgan said. “That H-back position is one of the most important position on our team. You have to be able to run, catch and block. He is in multiple different positions, doing a bunch of different things every single time.”
He might not be the most outspoken player in the locker room, but is never shy to correct something that he sees and also leads by example.
“Charlie (Steinmetz) is not an outspoken guy, but is the guy that will tell somebody that they got it wrong on that (thing that they’re doing),” Morgan said. “He will correct people. That is really good to have. Leaders cannot be friends with everybody and he does a good job that making sure that he demands more out of those guys.”
Steinmetz showcased himself at an area combine-type event in 2023. College scouts that looked for Class of 2024 players asked about him. Once it was discovered that he was Class of 2026, the conversation never went further. That being said, Morgan believes he has potential to play at the collegiate level at nearly any position on the field.
“I’ve had people ask what position that (Steinmetz) plays. He is one of those guys that is an athlete,” he said. “He can be a running back, outside linebacker, tight end. He is one of those guys that can do something for a team if he finds the right spot.”
North Ridgeville football: Rangers show potential in football combine
He takes great pride in the H-back role, as it requires a tremendous knowledge of the game to contribute in as many ways.
"I just like being a contributor to the offense, as someone who can make plays and someone that they can go to during games," he said.
Steinmetz was one of three Rangers to be selected on the first-team All-SWC. He rushed for 200 yards, caught 34 passes for 555 receiving yards and totaled five touchdowns.
"(An H-back) is kind of like a tight end, slot receiver or sometimes in the backfield too. There are a lot of jobs that I have to do. Overall, it is pretty fun," Steinmetz said.
He has a wide range of goals for the 2023 season. As a team that went 2-5 in the SWC, one of them is to take the next step and be more competitive in the conference. As an individual, Steinmetz made strides in the offseason in the weight room and T3 Performance in preparation.
"When I am in open space, I feel like I can run faster. The strength will really come in for blocking when I am a tight end and have to block someone downhill," he said.
North Ridgeville has high hopes this season after it upset defeated fourth seed Anthony Wayne in the first round of the Division II Region 6 tournament. As one of 15 returning starters, Steinmetz feels optimistic about what they could be this year.
"I think that we have been playing together for so long on the varsity level, that we just have been a lot stronger and smarter," he said.
