O’DONNELL STEALS THE SHOW

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NEW MIDDLETOWN, OH – The Springfield Tigers, currently sitting at 5-2, are on a four game winning streak and are projected to host a playoff game in the first round this season. YSN’s own, Steve Leslie, was able to sit down with Jake O’Donnell at the Tigers Table this week to talk about the winning streak, an outlook on the final weeks of the regular season, a little playoff projections, and so much more!

This week’s very special dual player profiles with Springfield Tigers stars, Jake O’Donnell is LIVE!

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MINERAL RIDGE RUNS DOWN THE MUSTANGS

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MINERAL RIDGE OH- In an impressive display of dominance, Mineral Ridge ventured beyond the MVAC in Week 7 and secured a resounding 46-12 victory over Mathews, sending shockwaves through the opposition and their fans.

The Mineral Ridge offense showcased their versatility with a balanced attack that kept Mathews on their toes throughout the game. Quarterbacks Ian Erb and Landon Bingham combined for a solid performance, completing a total of 7 passes for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Ethan Pemberton led the receiving corps with 3 receptions for 43 yards, including a spectacular touchdown catch that added to Mineral Ridge’s lead. Meanwhile, Brady Balestrino, David Baker, and Owen Sylak all contributed with crucial receptions to keep the chains moving.

On the ground, the Rams continued to impress. Ian Erb displayed his dual-threat abilities with 66 rushing yards and a well-deserved touchdown. Brady Balestrino, Preston Holbrook, Tanner Sharp, and Bryce Rohrman all made their mark in the rushing department, collectively amassing a formidable ground game that kept the Mathews defense guessing.

The Mineral Ridge defense was equally impressive, holding Mathews to a mere 12 points while forcing turnovers and providing crucial stops when needed.

With this resounding victory, Mineral Ridge demonstrated their potential and determination on both sides of the ball, leaving little doubt about their capabilities this season.

The Rams will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup as they prepare to travel to Springfield High School to face the Tigers next Saturday.

EAST POINTS NORTH AGAINST HOWLAND

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH- In a hard-fought battle under the Friday night lights, the Youngstown East High School football team emerged victorious with a 30-16 win over the Howland Tigers.

The game was a tale of two halves, with both teams showcasing their strengths and determination. Howland got off to a strong start in the first quarter when John Perry bulldozed his way into the end zone with a 1-yard run, and Jack Litton’s kick was on the money, giving the Tigers an early 7-0 lead.

The second quarter, however, saw a shift in momentum. East’s offense came to life, and they struck back with a 26-yard pass play that resulted in a touchdown, followed by a successful conversion. But the Panthers weren’t done yet. Andrew Blackmon connected with Daryan Brownlee on a 20-yard pass for another touchdown, and their conversion was good. East had now taken the lead at 16-7.

Howland managed to put some points on the board before the half with a field goal from Litton, narrowing the gap to 16-10.

The third quarter continued to be a competitive battle, with both teams refusing to back down. East extended their lead with a 36-yard pass that resulted in a touchdown, although the conversion attempt failed. Howland answered back with Brendan Ray’s powerful 9-yard run into the end zone, and Litton’s successful kick brought the score to 22-16 in favor of East.

As the game entered the fourth quarter, East High School wasn’t finished yet. Thomas Davis powered his way through with a 7-yard run, and the Panthers’ successful conversion widened their lead to 30-16.

In the end, East secured the win with a strong team effort, overcoming an early deficit and capitalizing on their opportunities. With a final score of 30-16, they celebrated a hard-earned victory over Howland.

TOUGH NIGHT FOR SPARTANS AT HOME

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Photo Credit: Noelle Nunes

Conneaut, OH- In a disappointing matchup for the Conneaut Spartans, they faced off against the Geneva Eagles, resulting in a one-sided contest with a final score of Geneva Eagles 55 – Conneaut Spartans 0. It was a tough day for the Spartans as they struggled to find their footing against the dominant Geneva squad.

The first quarter saw Geneva’s Bryce Peet making a statement with two touchdown runs, showcasing his prowess near the goal line. Despite missing the extra point on the first touchdown, Geneva led 13-0 after the first quarter. The second quarter only intensified the Eagles’ dominance, as Luke Barbo and Luke Smith both found the end zone with multiple touchdowns, including a spectacular 69-yard punt return by Luke Smith. Quarterback Kenny Young connected with Gio Rice for another touchdown, further solidifying Geneva’s lead, which ballooned to 41-0 by halftime.

The onslaught continued into the third quarter, with Luke Smith adding another touchdown to his impressive performance. In the fourth quarter, Ricky DiPetta added a touchdown run to cap off a dominating performance by the Eagles.

For the Conneaut Spartans, this game served as a tough learning experience. With a final score of 55-0, they faced a formidable opponent in the Geneva Eagles. The Spartans will need to regroup and refocus as they prepare to take on the Edgewood Warriors in week 8.

On the other hand, the Geneva Eagles continue to soar, improving their record to 6-1, with a perfect 2-0 record in the CVC Lake Division. Their next challenge will be against the Lakeside Dragons in week 8, where they hope to maintain their winning streak and solidify their position at the top of the division.

LABRAE CONTINUES TO IMPRESS

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LEAVITTSBURG, OH- The LaBrae Vikings got off to a rocky start, finding themselves down by three scores as they went to halftime. But boy, did they turn things around in the second half! LaBrae pulled off an amazing comeback to beat the Warriors 43-33, and let me tell you, it was an absolute classic.

At halftime, Brookfield was sitting pretty with a 26-7 lead. But LaBrae came alive in the third quarter. Davin Derry led the charge with a 2-yard touchdown run that got the Vikings rolling. Then, on Brookfield’s next drive, the Viking defense really turned up the heat. They pressured Josh Rankin, Brookfield’s quarterback, and forced him into a big mistake. Owen Meeks swooped in, intercepted Rankin’s pass, and dashed 45 yards for a touchdown. Talk about a game-changer!

Derry had a stellar performance. He bulldozed his way to three touchdowns and even pulled off an interception return. The guy knows how to make plays when the pressure’s on.

The fourth quarter? Well, that was all about the Vikings. They kicked things off with a slick touchdown run by Jay McGarry and even forced a safety on the following kickoff. After that, it was another trip to the endzone for LaBrae, with Derry punching it in from nine yards out.

Just when you thought he was done, Derry put the icing on the cake with an interception return for a touchdown.

On the other side of the field, one of the area’s top freshmen, Rico Smith was doing some heavy lifting for Brookfield. He powered his way to three touchdowns in the first half and ended the game with a total of four under his belt.

Brookfield, with a 3-4 record, is heading back home for a couple of weeks. First up, they’ve got a matchup against Campbell Memorial.

Meanwhile, LaBrae has bumped up to 4-3 this season after a tough start to the year.

 

LAKERS RUSH PAST SKIPPERS FOR FIRST NAC WIN

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Photo Credit: Kelly Summers

Fairport, OH- Building off of a dominating performance in week 6, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers sailed to victory against the Fairport Skippers with a final score of 40-0. The Lakers wasted no time making their presence known on the field, as they established their lead early in the first quarter.

The first quarter saw Ryan Croston bulldoze his way into the end zone with a powerful 10-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful 2-point conversion. Pymatuning Valley took an early 8-0 lead. The Lakers continued to flex their offensive muscles when Ty Vickery added another touchdown, this time from 5 yards out, and once again the 2-point conversion was successful. The first quarter ended with the Lakers comfortably ahead, 16-0.

The second quarter remained scoreless, as both defenses dug in to prevent any further advances on the scoreboard. However, the Lakers were far from finished.

In the third quarter, Ryan Croston showcased his speed and determination with a 20-yard touchdown run, accompanied by a 2-point conversion that extended the Lakers’ lead to 24-0. Ty Vickery wasn’t to be outdone and added yet another 5-yard touchdown run, with the conversion once again good, making the score 32-0 in favor of the Lakers.

The Lakers put the finishing touches on their impressive performance in the fourth quarter when Ty Vickery broke free for a spectacular 45-yard touchdown run. With the successful 2-point conversion, the final score stood at a resounding 40-0 in favor of Pymatuning Valley.

With this victory, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers improved their record to 4-3 overall and 1-0 in the NAC. Their next challenge awaits them at home in week 8, where they will face off against the Mathews Mustangs, who have a 1-6 record overall and also boast a 1-0 NAC record. The Lakers’ dominant rushing attack has been on full display for 2 straight weeks.

On the other side, the Fairport Skippers, now 2-5 overall and 1-1 in the NAC, will be gearing up for their week 8 matchup against the St. John Heralds, who hold a 3-4 overall record and a matching 1-1 NAC record.

SPARTANS FIGHT RUNS SHORT IN WARREN

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WARREN, OH- In a wild matchup, the Warren G Harding Raiders clinched their second straight win by taking down the Boardman Spartans with a final score of 38-20.

The game kicked off with some unexpected twists. Donovan McCoy fumbled the ball after a reception, and it was quickly scooped up by Boardman’s Aiden Berg, who raced 30 yards into the end zone for a surprise touchdown, giving Boardman an early lead.

But Harding wasted no time in responding. Javonte Jones made a spectacular return on the ensuing kickoff, bringing the ball all the way to Boardman’s four-yard line. That set the stage for Antonio Smith, who, despite a tricky snap, managed to grab the ball and dart into the end zone from the right side.

Throughout the game, the Raiders displayed a well-balanced offense, mixing both running and passing plays effectively. Israel Reynolds had a strong showing, carrying the ball 16 times for 79 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Antonio Smith also contributed with nine carries for 31 yards.

The standout performance, however, came from the Raiders’ passing game. Quarterback Chaz Coleman completed nine of his 16 pass attempts, racking up an impressive 219 passing yards. Naujeat Jones emerged as a key target, hauling in five passes for an incredible 179 yards.

Jones found the end zone twice, both times early in their respective drives. On the first occasion, Coleman connected with the senior wide receiver for an 84-yard touchdown, exploiting a gap in the Spartans’ secondary. Later, following a turnover on downs by Boardman, Coleman found Jones on a crossing route, and the talented wide receiver did the rest, breaking multiple tackles in the open field for a remarkable 69-yard touchdown.

During a pivotal second touchdown drive, Boardman managed to pin Harding on its one-yard line. Antonio Smith, however, showcased his agility by gaining 12 yards on a single play and then adding another 11 yards on the next. This set the stage for a meticulous 99-yard, 12-play drive, capped off by Israel Reynolds’ first touchdown of the night.

Boardman’s quarterback, Zach Haus, completed 25 of his 49 pass attempts for 218 yards. Haus connected with Willy Torres and Jaylen Soto for touchdowns of six and seven yards, respectively. Despite numerous incompletions, Harding’s active secondary consistently disrupted passes, earning praise from Coach Arnold.

With this win, the Raiders have now notched two consecutive victories. They’re gearing up for an away game against Cardinal Mooney next Friday. On the other hand, Boardman will be hitting the road to face Dover.

 

HERALDS MORE EXPLOSIVE IN WIN OVER BOMBERS

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Windham, OH- In a game decided in the final 12 seconds, the St. John Heralds managed to edge out the Windham Bombers by a final score of 36-33. This game had everything a football fan could ask for: incredible plays, multiple lead changes, and a nail-biting finish.

The first quarter started with a bang as Windham’s Jack Eye scored a 22-yard touchdown, putting the Bombers on the board. With the extra point good, the Heralds found themselves trailing early, 7-0.

The second quarter saw Windham extend their lead when Anthony Paolella rushed for a 2-yard touchdown, though the extra point attempt was unsuccessful. The Heralds answered back with Will Anderson’s 11-yard touchdown run, but the two-point conversion fell short. Windham then added to their lead with Carlos Bruton’s 22-yard touchdown run, making it 19-6.

The third quarter brought hope for the Heralds as Anderson found the end zone again, this time with a 5-yard run. However, they couldn’t convert the two-point attempt. St. John’s Vin Narducci brought them within striking distance with a 2-yard touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, making the score 20-19 in favor of the Heralds.

The fourth quarter was a rollercoaster ride. Windham’s Jack Eye scored twice, once from 2 yards out and again from 5 yards, with one successful two-point conversion. However, the resilient Heralds came roaring back. Will Anderson connected with Anthony Severino for a stunning 60-yard touchdown pass, and they successfully converted a two-point attempt, closing the gap to 33-26.

The Heralds’ determination paid off when they recovered an onside kick, giving them a chance to take the lead. Will Anderson seized the opportunity with a 2-yard touchdown run, and another successful two-point conversion put St. John ahead, 36-33.

With the clock ticking down, the St. John Heralds held onto their lead and emerged victorious in this high-scoring showdown. Their record now stands at 3-4 (1-1 NAC), and they will look to build on this thrilling win as they prepare to face the rival Fairport Skippers in week 8.

The Windham Bombers, now at 2-5 (1-2 NAC), will regroup and get ready for their upcoming home game against the Chalker Wildcats in week 8. This game will surely be remembered as a classic NAC battle between two determined teams that left fans on both sides breathless with excitement.

CHANEY POWERS TO VICTORY OVER MOONEY

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH — Despite a rocky start that included a fumble on their first play, the Chaney Cowboys were granted a second chance, and they capitalized on it, defeating Cardinal Mooney 28-12 on Friday night.

The Cowboys began with favorable field position at their own 38-yard line after a strong kickoff return. However, their initial attempt to run the ball up the middle resulted in a fumble, recovered by the Cardinals at the Chaney 42-yard line.

With the ball deep in their opponent’s territory, Mooney had an opportunity to strike early. But fate had other plans, as they fumbled the ball back to Chaney on the very first play from scrimmage.

Chaney wasted no time taking advantage of the turnover. On the second play of the drive, quarterback Drew Gault connected with wide receiver Darius Stonework on a 31-yard touchdown pass.  Chaney’s next offensive possession was even more efficient than their first score. Quarterback Matt Jones broke free for an 80-yard touchdown run on the first play of the drive, extending their lead to 14-0.

While the Cowboys’ offense shone brightly in the first half, their defense proved equally formidable, effectively shutting down the Cardinals despite their lengthy drives.

Entering halftime with a 14-0 lead, Jones continued to make an impact early in the second half. With 5:07 remaining in the third quarter, he turned a draw play into an 83-yard touchdown run, giving Chaney a commanding 21-0 lead.

Mooney, however, began to mount a comeback. They scored on their next drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ashton O’Brien to wide receiver Carlos Gomes, reducing Chaney’s lead to 21-6.

The Cardinals followed up with another touchdown drive at the start of the fourth quarter, with O’Brien connecting with receiver John Brenner on a 9-yard touchdown pass, bringing the score to 21-12.

Despite these touchdowns from Mooney, Chaney remained composed and focused on their game plan. Jones emphasized the importance of staying positive and supportive within the team.  Chaney ultimately sealed the victory with Jones scoring his third touchdown run, extending the lead to 28-12 and securing the win.

With this win, Chaney improved their overall record to 3-3, while Mooney’s record fell to 4-3 following the loss.

EAGLES SOAR IN THRILLER OVER BL

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HUBBARD, OH- In another tense encounter within the Northeast 8 division, Beaver Local faced off against Hubbard, but the Beavers’ struggles against the NE8 persisted as Hubbard’s Garland Warren sealed the game with a 5-yard touchdown run, securing a 29-25 victory for the Eagles with just 1:08 left on the clock.

Beaver Local, entering the game with a 4-2 record, found themselves in familiar territory, as this marked the third of four matchups against Northeast 8 opponents this season, with all previous games resulting in defeats, including encounters against Struthers and Niles. On the other side, Hubbard improved to a matching 4-3 record.

The game unfolded with both teams exchanging blows on the scoreboard:

Beaver Local drew first blood in the opening quarter, as senior quarterback Austin Cline connected with Brock Severs for a 14-yard touchdown pass, establishing a 7-0 lead.

Hubbard quickly responded, with Garland Warren rushing for a 10-yard touchdown, and the Eagles added a successful two-point conversion, taking an 8-7 lead with 1:45 remaining in the first quarter.

Warren continued to shine in the second quarter, breaking free for a 47-yard touchdown run, extending Hubbard’s lead to 15-7.

Beaver Local refused to be outdone, as Cline scored on a 5-yard touchdown run with just 1:02 left in the second quarter. The Beavers added a two-point conversion, sending both teams into halftime with a tied score of 15-15.

Hubbard regained the lead in the third quarter, as Alex Hackwelder executed a 1-yard keeper, making it 22-15 in favor of the Eagles. However, Beaver Local responded swiftly, with Brock Severs returning the ensuing kickoff an impressive 95 yards to tie the game at 22-22 with 7:02 left in the third quarter.

Kaleb Mays added a 21-yard field goal for Beaver Local with just 12 seconds remaining in the third quarter, giving the Beavers a brief lead of 25-22.

Ultimately, the late-game heroics of Garland Warren for Hubbard secured the victory for the Eagles, ending Beaver Local’s hopes of a comeback.

As Beaver Local prepares for their next challenge, a road game against Indian Creek, they will look for the comforts of their conference schedule to close out the year.