GARFIELD NOT SLOWED DOWN BY A ROAD TRIP

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Garfield Dominates Harrison Central in High-Scoring Affair, Final Score 56-35

In an electrifying matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats, Garfield High School’s football team rolled into Harrison Central and secured a thrilling 56-35 victory.

The first quarter kicked off with a bang as Garfield took the lead early. Keegan Sell made a spectacular 32-yard run, finding the end zone at 11:06 and putting Garfield ahead 7-0. Quarterback Eric Geddes then connected with Leo Grandizio on a 59-yard touchdown pass at 9:13, extending Garfield’s lead to 14-0.

Harrison Central quickly responded with a touchdown of their own. Hayden Cassidy, their quarterback, connected with Cam McAfee on a 57-yard touchdown pass at 6:51, bringing the score to 14-7.

However, Garfield was relentless. Eric Geddes found Leo Grandizio once again, this time on a 9-yard touchdown pass at 3:22, increasing the lead to 21-7 as the first quarter came to a close.

The second quarter continued the high-scoring affair. Keegan Sell added to Garfield’s lead with a 1-yard rushing touchdown at 8:59, making it 28-13. Eric Geddes then extended the lead even further with a 5-yard rushing touchdown at 2:14, bringing the score to 35-13.

The fourth quarter was not short on action either, as Keegan Sell scored another rushing touchdown, this time from 5 yards out, at 11:56, making it 42-19. Geddes connected with Leo Grandizio once more on a 54-yard touchdown pass at 11:14, pushing the score to 49-19.

Devin Bates added another G-Men touchdown scoring on a 22-yard rush at 2:00, cutting the deficit to 56-27.

The game ended with a final score of 56-35 in favor of Garfield, as they celebrated a well-deserved victory. The G-Men’s next playoff matchup will be a neutral site game against Perry.

WILDCATS CLAW BACK AT POLAND AND MOVE ON

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Struthers Gains Redemption, Advances in Playoffs with 14-9 Victory Over Poland

In a high-stakes playoff showdown, Struthers found sweet revenge for a Week 10 loss by edging out Poland in a nail-biting 14-9 victory.

The first quarter remained scoreless, as both teams grappled for control on the field. It was clear that this was going to be a closely contested match from the start.

The second quarter saw the first points on the board as Poland’s Jas Stefancin converted a 21-yard field goal, giving Poland a 3-0 lead at 7:54.

However, Struthers quickly responded in the third quarter, with running back Jason Dukes leading the charge. Dukes plowed through the defense with an 11-yard rushing touchdown at 6:41. The extra point was good, granting Struthers a 7-3 lead.

Dukes was far from finished, as he broke free with an explosive 63-yard rushing touchdown at 2:30, extending Struthers’ lead to 14-3 after another successful extra point.

Poland wasn’t willing to go down without a fight. Quarterback Dom Pagano connected with Cole Fulton for a remarkable 61-yard touchdown pass at 1:34 in the third quarter. However, the two-point conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 14-9 in favor of Struthers.

The fourth quarter remained scoreless, but it was Dukes who sealed the deal for Struthers with an interception in the end zone. This critical play ensured that Poland could not mount a comeback in the waning moments of the game.

The victory marked a crucial moment for Struthers, avenging their previous loss and propelling them further in the playoffs. The Wildcats will match up with Mentor Lake Catholic in the Regional Semifinals.

DRAGONS RUN OUT OF FIRE

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MENTOR OH- In a hard-fought battle on the gridiron, the Niles football season came to a close as Mentor Lake Catholic emerged victorious with a final score of 35-21.

The first quarter saw Mentor Lake Catholic taking an early lead. Quarterback Frankie Trinetti connected with running back Josh Styles for a 19-yard touchdown pass with 8:22 on the clock. Harley Forkins successfully added the extra point, putting MLC up 7-0.

The second quarter continued to favor MLC. Quarterback Frankie Trinetti handed off to tight end DJ Sears for a 1-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 14-0 with 4:42 left in the quarter. Once again, Harley Forkins converted the extra point.

Mentor Lake Catholic wasn’t done in the second quarter as Trinetti found Cross Nimmo for a spectacular 62-yard touchdown pass with just 1:23 remaining. The extra point by Forkins was good, and the score stood at 21-0.

However, Niles rallied just before the half. Quarterback Anthony Budak connected with Nate Coots for a 28-yard touchdown pass as time expired in the second quarter. Anthony Georgalas nailed the extra point, cutting the deficit to 21-7.

The third quarter saw MLC extending their lead when Trinetti connected with Patrick Radigan for a 68-yard touchdown pass with 2:51 on the clock. Harley Forkins remained accurate on the extra point, making it 28-7.

In the fourth quarter, MLC wasn’t ready to relinquish their lead. Trinetti once again found tight end Cross Nimmo, this time for a 29-yard touchdown pass with 11:28 left in the game. The extra point by Forkins was good, making it 35-7.

Niles, showing resilience, managed to put more points on the board in the final quarter. Quarterback Anthony Budak handed off to Antuan Gardner for two rushing touchdowns, one for 31 yards with 10:27 remaining, and another for 5 yards with 2:10 to go. Anthony Georgalas was accurate on both extra point attempts, bringing the final score to 35-21 in favor of Mentor Lake Catholic.

 

KNIGHTS FIND THE MAGIC TO ADVANCE TO REGIONAL SEMIS

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AKRON OH- In yet another commanding playoff performance, the Archbishop Hoban Knights rolled to victory, this time dismantling the Barberton Magics with a resounding final score of 41-7.

The first quarter set the tone for Hoban’s dominance. Just over two minutes into the game, Hoban quarterback Tylan Boykin connected with Jalen Hightower on a 39-yard passing touchdown. Though the extra point was unsuccessful, the Knights were on the board with a 6-0 lead.

The second quarter saw Hoban extend their lead further. Caleb Jones plowed through Barberton’s defense with a 7-yard rushing touchdown, and the extra point was good, making it 13-0 in favor of Hoban.

As the clock continued to wind down in the second quarter, Brayton Feister broke free and sprinted for a stunning 60-yard rushing touchdown. Once again, Ryan Burns nailed the extra point, extending Hoban’s lead to 20-0 going into halftime.

The third quarter showed no mercy from Hoban. Tylan Boykin connected with Jalen Hightower for another touchdown, this time a 43-yard pass. The extra point by Ryan Burns was successful, pushing the score to 27-0.

Barberton finally got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter when Dominic Wilson found Angelo Harper for an 11-yard passing touchdown. Kamran Walton’s successful extra point made it 27-7.

However, Hoban quickly retaliated with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Elbert Hill, and the extra point by Ryan Burns was good. The Knights extended their lead to a commanding 34-7.

The fourth quarter showcased more of Hoban’s offensive prowess as Brayton Feister added another touchdown to his name, this time with a 38-yard rushing score. With Ryan Burns once again making the extra point, the final score stood at an emphatic 41-7 in favor of the Knights.

Hoban’s stellar performance on both ends of the field was evident, and they continue to be a force to be reckoned with as they advance further in the playoffs. Hoban will match up with Painesville Riverside in the semifinals. A neutral site will be determined over the weekend.

BULLDOGS READY FOR BATTLE

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POLAND, OH – The Poland Bulldogs hosted the East Liverpool Potters in the first round of the playoffs last week and cruised to a 42-14 victory. Logan Hackstedde and Andrew Todd, two seniors, took their last first playoff game to heart and had the Dogs ready to go into battle. Up next for Poland is a rematch with the Struthers Wildcats in the second round this Friday at Bulldog Stadium.

YSN’s own, Steve Leslie, sat down with Logan and Andrew this week at Combine Brothers to talk about the first round match up against East Liverpool, what the boys did well and what they want to do moving forward to keep that winning momentum going, and what these two seniors think the keys to victory are for this week.

All that and so much more in this very special dual player profile with Poland Bulldogs senior stars, Logan Hackstedde and Andrew Todd!

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POLAND BULLDOGS FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP. 9) WITH TOM PAVLANSKY

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POLAND, OH – Head coach Tom Pavlansky has led the Poland Bulldogs into the second round of the OHSAA State Football Playoffs this season after defeating the East Liverpool Potters last week. 42-14. Up next for the Bulldogs is a rematch with NE8 foe, Struthers, on Friday night as the #6 seeded Wildcats will travel down to Bulldog Stadium.

YSN’s own, Steve Leslie was able to catch up with Coach Pavlansky this week at Combine Brothers to discuss their first round victory over the Potters, what his takeaways were from the win, what his expectations are for this week’s rematch with Struthers, and what Coach’s keys to victory are for round two against the Wildcats.

All that and so much more in this week’s episode of Poland Bulldogs football coach’s corner with head coach, Tom Pavlansky!

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SPRINGFIELD TIGERS FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP. 12) WITH SEAN GUERRIERO

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NEW MIDDLETOWN, OH – Coming off an impressive round one victory, head coach Sean Guerriero and the Springfield Tigers are looking to keep their momentum going as they will advance to the second round. The Tigers hosted Monroeville last week and came away with a 35-21 victory. Up next for Springfield is a road test as they will travel to Mount Vernon to take on the #2 seed, Danville on Friday night.

YSN’s own, Steve Leslie was able to sit down with Coach G this week at the Tiger’s Table to discuss the upcoming playoff game with Danville, what he thinks the Tigers need to do to get a second round win and advance, what he liked from the round one win over Monroeville, and so much more!

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SPRINGFIELD REIGNS SUPREME

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NEW MIDDLETOWN, OH – The Springfield Tigers played host to Monroeville in the first round of the playoffs last week and came away with a 35-21 victory. Two seniors, Kolten Ruark and Tyler Young led the charge for the Tigers as they helped pace Springfield all night long. Up next for the Tigers is going to be a long bus ride down to Mount Vernon to take on the #2 seeded Danville on Friday night.

YSN’s own, Steve Leslie, sat down with Kolten and Tyler this week at the Tiger’s Table to talk about the first round match up against Monroeville, what the boys did well and what they want to do moving forward to keep the momentum going, what their keys to victory are for this week, and so much more!

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UNITED STANDS TALL OVER BROOKFIELD

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By Ty Bartell 

HANOVERTON OH- The first week of the high school football playoffs in the state of Ohio is officially in the books and there were countless area matchups that provided plenty of entertainment in the first round. One of those matchups occurred between a pair of YSN schools in Division 6, Region 21 with the #4 seeded United Golden Eagles (9-1) hosting the #13 seeded Brookfield Warriors (5-5).

Brookfield started with possession early, but a fumble that was recovered by United with 9:30 left in the first quarter set up a 45-yard pass from Luke Courtney to Parker Newburn, flipping field position. Getting on the right side of the 50 yard line, translated into a 6-yard touchdown QB draw from Courtney to give Untied the 7-0 lead with 6:51 in the first quarter. The remainder of the opening quarter would be scoreless, until, with 11 minutes left in the second, The Warriors’ Kaiden Kirila blocked a punt that enabled a 39-yard touchdown return from Rico Smith to tie the game up 7-7! United would get the last laugh in the first half, getting into the red zone and scoring with, yet another, QB draw from Luke COurtney to put The Golden Eagles up 14-7 at halftime!

United would open up the scoring in the second half as well, with 5:35 in the third quarter, Luke Courtney nailed a 30-yard field goal to put The Eagles up by double digits at 17-7. The Warriors would not go away as the very next kickoff saw Rico Smith return it 55 yards to the house to cut into the deficit, trimming the United lead to 17-14. The final score came from The Eagles Luke Courtney on a 47-yard QB draw for a touchdown to retake the double digit lead at 24-14. A pair of United interceptions from Parker Newburn, his second of the day, and Logan Castro, iced the game for The Golden Eagles at 24-14!

Luke Courtney was Mr. Do-All as he was responsible for all the points in the United win with a passing touchdown, 2 rushing touchdowns and a field goal. United (10-1) will now play the #5 seeded Cuyahoga Heights Red Wolves (9-1) on Friday, November 3rd with a 7 p.m. kickoff! Stay updated with all United Golden Eagle athletics stats, scores, stories and more on YSN!

G-MEN STORM THROUGH FIRST PLAYOFF TEST

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GARRETTSVILLE OH- Garfield put on a remarkable show in their home field finale, delivering an emphatic 56-13 victory over Conneaut in an electrifying football matchup.

Conneaut set the early tone by scoring in their first drive of the game. However, that was the last time they would find the end zone in this contest. Garfield’s response was nothing short of sensational, as they put up a staggering 49 unanswered points.

Leading the charge for Garfield was Eric Geddes, who had a standout performance. Geddes carried the ball 16 times for an impressive 181 yards, displaying his prowess on the ground. He was an unstoppable force in the first half, scoring five of Garfield’s six touchdowns. Four of his touchdowns came from his ground game, and he also showcased his versatility with one touchdown through the air.

The victory was particularly sweet for Garfield’s seniors, who had the privilege of concluding their home field journeys as victors in front of their home crowd. It was a fitting tribute to their dedication and hard work throughout their high school football careers.

With this convincing win, Garfield’s playoff journey continues to the next round of the OHSAA playoffs. They are set to face Harrison Central, and their stellar performance in this game surely fills them with confidence and momentum as they look ahead to the next challenge.