BUTLER, PA- All sports fans grow up with heroes and personal favorite players in their favorite sport or favorite team. For many fans in the area, Franco Harris was oftentimes at the center of their fanhood in some way or somehow. Whether it be the “Immaculate Reception” or the community involvement wherever he went, Franco Harris changed the culture of the franchises he came in contact with.
YSN’s Mike Ackelson has special memories dating back to his eighth birthday as part of Franco’s Army and he talks about his memories of his favorite football team.
COLUMBUS, OH- The The Division two and three football All-Ohio teams were announced this afternoon by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. The teams consist of multiple YSN players in both divisions two and three.
Starting in division two, the Austintown Fitch Falcons had six players represented. On the first team all offense list was offensive linemen Josh Fitzgerald. On the second team defense was defensive back Davion Pritchard. Falcons quarterback DeShawn Vaughn made the third team all offense team. On the third team defensive team was Brian Robinson and Cam Smith. Austintown running back Jamell James also made the honorable mention team. For the Lakeside Dragons, both Angelo Collazo and Malachi Donahue made third team all defensive team.
In division three, 19 players under the YSN umbrella were honored from four different schools. Those schools include, Canfield, Ursuline, Louisville and Chaney. On the first team all offensive team was Canfield quarterback Broc Lowry and offensive linemen AJ Murphy. For Ursuline, wide receiver D.C. Ferrell, offensive linemen Brian Frasco, and defensive linemen Ty’Req Donlow made the list as first team selections. For Chaney on the first team all defensive team was Jason Hewlett and DJ Waller.
On the second team all offensive team was Ursuline running back Christian Lynch and offensive linemen Isaac Lucas. The Cardinals had a second team all defensive selection with linebacker Danny Inglis.
On the honorable mention team was nine student athletes in division three. Those nine include: Jacob Davide, Landon Charles, Will Burney, Mike Branch, Elijah Carter, Jack Davis, Santino Cocca, Hunter Kanotz and Dom Marzano. Congratulations to all 19 athletes that made the 2022 All-Ohio Football Teams.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MVS_6246.png24003600Richie Julianohttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngRichie Juliano2022-12-07 18:50:172022-12-07 18:50:17DIVISION TWO AND THREE ALL-OHIO FOOTBALL TEAMS
COLUMBUS, OH- This morning, the The Division IV and V football All-Ohio teams were announced by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. YSN has a ton of mentions in division four, with 35 local players making the list.
Jefferson Falcons Head Football Coach Brandon Hanna got selected as one of two coaches of the year in division four after winning the regional championship for the first time in program history.
On the first team All-Ohio offense team was West Branch quarterback Dru DeShields and offensive linemen Mitchell Coffee. The other offensive linemen on the list was East Liverpool senior Mason Ludwig. Senior quarterback from Salem Jackson Johnson received first team offensive awards.
On the second team all offensive team was Jefferson quarterback Grant Hitchcock, Struthers running back Alex Grzyb, and West Branch wide receiver Christian Martig. On the second team defensive team was West Branch linebacker Michael Kanagy and defensive linemen Thomas Egli.
On the third team all offensive team was Girard running back Mike Palmer, Edgewood wide receiver Christian Cunningham, Jeffferson and Hubbard offensive linemen Mason Pawloski and Ben Chaney. Also on the list is Jefferson kicker Jensen Yarosh. The third team all defensive team included five guys. Three linebackers made the list with Seth Enos, Wade Woodworth and Devin Braham. Two defensive backs from Girard and Struthers made the team with Bobby Alejars and Anthony Carter getting the third team nod.
The honorable mention team includes 16 student-athletes. Two quarterbacks made the list with Austin Cline and Stephen Sims. Poland Bulldogs running back Cole Fulton and Beaver Local wide receiver Caleb White made the list. The offensive line was well represented with Zane McCoy, Ryan Kamperman, Jordan Fedor, and Stephen Solic on the list. The defensive line has three players which included: Nick Bowser, Connor Mayle and Blake Lucas. Girard and Hubbard linebackers Jake Dohy and Mason Hodge made the list as well. Three more defensive backs rounded out the bunch with Ross Davidson, Nico Farina and Ben Wilcox concluding the 16 all honorable mention players.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/5DS_5708.png20633095Richie Julianohttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngRichie Juliano2022-12-06 21:03:242022-12-06 21:03:24DIVISION FOUR ALL-OHIO FOOTBALL TEAMS
COLUMBUS, OH- The division six All-Ohio football teams were announced on Monday Morning by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. YSN had 18 players represented on the first, second, third and honorable mention teams.
Starting at the top, two United Eagles got first team all offense with kicker Luke Courtney and wide receiver Grant Knight making the list. On the first team all defensive team was Crestview linebacker Roclen Bettura. We had one second team all offense selection, which belongs to Brookfield quarterback Donovan Pawlowski.
The third team all offense consisted of four local players including: Mineral Ridge RB Ian Erb, Brookfield WR Isaiah Jones, Newton Falls offensive lineman Wyatt Jones and Valley Christian standout Jontrell Mixon. The third team defense had one member in Mineral Ridge linebacker Nathan Rohrman.
The honorable mention team was full of local standouts with 9 making the list. On the linebacker team was Brookfield junior Kaiden Kirila and senior AJ Bartolin, along with Mineral Ridge senior Mason Miller. Two offensive linemen Dallas McCracken and Connor Heater made the list for United and Brookfield. Two more defensive backs were honored with Jackson Milton senior Owen McDevitt and Brookfield junior Brett Carsone. Valley Christian running back JeSean Lindsey and Mineral Ridge quarterback Triston Valley finished the honorable mention All-Ohio list.
Congratulations to all 18 members of the 2022 All-Ohio football teams and goodluck in your future endeavors.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MVS_2858.png21433000Richie Julianohttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngRichie Juliano2022-12-06 19:46:112022-12-06 19:46:11DIVISION SIX ALL-OHIO FOOTBALL TEAMS ANNOUNCED
COLUMBUS, OH- Several local athletes continue to fill up their resumes after great work the last 16 weeks. We are highlighting the YSN-affiliated student-athletes and their schools below.
DIVISION V ALL-OHIO FIRST TEAM
QB: Billy Skripac – South Range, Gage Cline – Edison
DL: JD Crouse – South Range
LB: Ty Covill – Conneaut, Matt Parsons, Edison, Keegan Sell – Garfield
SECOND TEAM
RB: Zack Rice – Conneaut
WR: Shane Lindstrom – South Range
OL: Ashton Ellis – Edison
DL: Bailey Ryan – South Range
LB: Tyler Remish- South Range
DB: Ty Reali – Cardinal Mooney
THIRD TEAM
WR: Ayden Leon – South Range, Alec Delsignore – Cardinal Mooney
OL: Jon Wiczen – Garfield, Gus Valentine – South Range, Adam Garloch – Cardinal Mooney, Tino Merlo – Cardinal Mooney
K: Ethan Bittence – Garfield
DL: Will Desmond – Cardinal Mooney, Jeff Brenner – Cardinal Mooney
LB: Logan Boyd – Cardinal Mooney
DB: Decker Lancaster – Edison, Dennis Clark – Cardinal Mooney
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/MVS_1927-scaled-1.jpg17072560YSN Staffhttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngYSN Staff2022-12-06 19:18:582022-12-06 19:18:58DIVISION V ALL-OHIO ANNOUNCED
COLUMBUS, OH- The division seven football All-Ohio teams were announced Monday by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. YSN was well represented with 33 players on the First, Second, Third, and Honorable Mention teams.
The first team All-Offense included Lowellville Quarterback Vinny Ballone, Windham running back Chase Eye, and offensive linemen from JFK Pat Valent. On the first team All-Defense, Wyatt Morris from Southern was a first team all linebacker. Two more JFK Eagles made first team with Ambrose Hoso and Thomas Valent making the list.
The second team All-Offense included JFK quarterback Caleb Hadley, Southern running back Colton Soukup, and Lowellville receiver Brady Bunofsky. JFK was represented again on the second team All-Defense team with Aidan Rossi claiming the defensive back spot.
The third teeam All-Offense included Springfield running back and wide receiver Ryan Carcelli and Seandelle Gardner. Also on the list was Lowellville tight end Anthony Lucente and offensive linemen from McDonald Kyle Crown. On the third team defense was Springfield linebacker Lucas Datillo.
The Honorable mention list included 17 YSN football players. Here are all the guys on the list for offensive honorable mention: JFK running back Antonio Smith, Ashtabula St. John offensive lineman Tom Miller, Southern Local OL Payton Hersman, Windham OL Anthony Paolella and JFK kicker Sarosh Sheth.
On the defensive honorable mention team is as follows: JFK DL Abram Rivera, Lowellville DL Vinny Perry, Springfield DL Vinnie Woods, Windham LB Jack Eye, Lowellville LB Santino Rivera-Ocasio, Springfield LB Wyatt Kuboff and Mcdonald LB Danny Gray. Defensive back honorable mentions include: Ashtabula St. John DB Jimmy Severino, Lowellville DB Michael Ballone, Springfield DB Sean Guerriero, Western Reserve DB Luke Ramsey, and JFK DB Fred Bolchalk.
Congratulations to the 33 members of the YSN team that made the 2022 division 7 All-Ohio football teams.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/D6N_2456-e1670266356985.png21832626Richie Julianohttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngRichie Juliano2022-12-05 18:55:522022-12-05 18:55:52DIVISION SEVEN ALL-OHIO FOOTBALL TEAMS ANNOUNCED
CANTON, OH- The Canfield Cardinals played on the big stage in the division three state championship game at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium. Canfield faced a very big Bloom-Carroll Bulldogs team that came in winning 14 straight games after a week one loss. Senior quarterback Broc Lowry led the Cardinals both on the ground and through the air with four touchdowns to guide the Cardinals to its first ever state championship, 35-14.
The Cardinals got on the board first with a 13 play, 57 yard drive capped off by a Lowry touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead. The Cardinals would strike again late in the first half with a 7:03 drive, with Lowry scoring another rushing touchdown from three yards out to lead 14-0. The Bulldogs put together a game saving drive at the end of the second quarter, driving 64 yards down the field in just 2:42 to score there first TD on a 3 yard reception by Brodyn Bishop. The Bulldogs scored with :15 seconds left in the half to cut it down to 14-7.
Both teams would punt on there opening drives of the third quarter, but the Cardinals scored late in the third with Lowry’s third rushing touchdown to make it 21-7. The Canfield defense would force a quick punt late in the third quarter, to send the game into the final 12 minutes up 21-7. Canfield came out of the timeout with some trickery, Canfield wide receiver Paul Bindas received a hand off, then pitched it back to quarterback Broc Lowry who took it 69 yards down the sideline to the house.
The Bulldogs put together a drive to the Canfield 22 yard line, until defensive linemen Caden Kohout picked off the quarterback and took it all the way to the Bloom-Carroll 30 yard line. Canfield took advantage of the turnover with another touchdown, this time from Lowry to Dom Marzano to make it 35-7 with 6:06 left in the fourth. Bloom-Carroll would score one more time with a Chase Plantz one yard touchdown run to make it 35-14. The Cardinals took a knee on the next drive to win the programs first ever state championship by a final of 35-14.
Head Coach Mike Pavlansky has been the head football coach at Canfield for 22 years. Here are the emotions and thoughts of coach Pav after the state championship victory:
Broc Lowry led Canfield throwing for 95 yards and a touchdwon, while killing Bloom-Carroll on the ground with 24 rushes for 121 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tailback Danny Inglis had 14 carries for 63 yards and 4 receptions for 43 yards. The Cardinals finished the season 14-1, and will go down in history as the first ever Canfield team to win a state championship.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/D6N_8658-Edit.png25773221Richie Julianohttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngRichie Juliano2022-12-03 20:21:452022-12-03 20:21:45CANFIELD CROWNED CHAMPIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER
CANTON, OH- Walt Disney would have a hard time producing a better storybook ending than the one on display Friday afternoon at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. One of the smallest Division V schools in the state of Ohio stood tall on the 50-yard line as newly crowned champions of the football world.
That team was the South Range Raiders.
The same Raiders that prior to the season’s opener were being talked about in circles to which “they lost too much,” and “they’ll be lucky to win the conference.” Week by week, they left their opponents in their wake.
Springfield.
University School
Canton Central Catholic.
Struthers.
Poland.
Girard.
Niles.
Jefferson.
Lakeview.
Hubbard.
Liberty.
Garfield.
Mooney.
Perry.
Liberty Center.
Ironton.
All these teams were part of what became “hiStoRy” for the Raiders in their first-ever state championship in program history, and the third state title for the school since 2018.
The Raiders only loss on the day came on the coin flip when Ironton won the toss, and deferred to the second half.
The Raiders started the game showing a bit of nerves on the first two plays before Billy Skripac connected with Shane Lindstrom down the left sideline for a monster gain, and set the Raiders up to punch in a 7-yard score when Skripac drove into the endzone for the games first points.
Ironton wouldn’t waste any time with their response when they scored on their first play from scrimmage and sobered up the environment for South Range. Tayden Carpenter connected with Lincoln Barnes for a 66-yard strike to even the ledger at 7-7.
The two teams would exchange jabs for the next few possessions before Billy Skripac would dial up a perfect pass to JD Crouse from 40 yards out with 42 seconds left in the first quarter, and the Raiders leading 14-7.
Following a fumble recovery by Jake Starkey, Skripac would connect with Crouse again on a 29-yarder to set up another Skripac keeper from 5 yards out the put South Range up 20-7. The Raiders’ defense and special teams unit would step up with a huge punt block by Bailey Ryan, Tristan Toy would recover the loose ball at the 8-yard line and set up another Billy Skripac QB Keeper from 8 yards out to increase the lead to 26-7.
Not prepared to give in, the Tigers would put a drive together that culminated with Carpenter connecting with his top receiver, Ty Perkins from 31 yards away and bringing the deficit to 12 points.
It was at this point that the offensive line realized what was at stake and started moving the Ironton defense as if they were on skates. Blake Ewert started his barrage of attacks and just trucking through defenders, and was capped off by a 31-yard rush into the endzone, putting South Range back up by three scores on a drive that took five plays, and went 67 yards in just two minutes.
South Range would talk about adjustments at halftime, but it was if they had just settled whatever nerves were left and looked to drive home a point for schools in Northeast Ohio. South Range would push the right buttons again when Skripac hooked up with Shane Lindstrom that found Lindstrom at the 44 yard line, and Shane would will his way into the endzone-carrying Tiger defenders who just did not have an answer for one of the state’s top receiving threats. Logan Butcher would add the extra point to put the Raiders up 39-14 with six minutes left in the third quarter.
Tayden Carpenter would once again assemble his troops to try and mount a comeback, leading his team on an up-tempo 4-play drive that ended up in the endzone when Amari Felder hauled in a 7-yard pass reception to make things interesting at 39-21.
The Raiders would look for what they felt to be the finishing touches after that. The playbook we’ve heard so much about, which had been tucked away most of the season, was now about to be opened up like Pandora’s Box. The Raiders would show their typical fronts, rushing Blake Ewert on the next drive for gashes of yards, followed by a keeper from Billy Skripac, but then pulled out a dandy on a Dean Depizzo crossing route from 8 yards resulting in six points, and put the Raiders up 46-21.
Once again the southpaw QB from Ironton would not relent, leading his team to the endzone once again via Ty Perkins on a 5-play, 58-yard drive to dress things up at 46-27.
The Tigers would attempt an onside kick that they would recover, but only to be flagged for illegal touching, as they did not let the ball travel the ten-yard mandatory distance before attempting a recovery.
Nail. Meet coffin.
The Raiders would take over in Tiger territory, and hammer home the championship knockout punch when Aidan Dominguez rumbled his way into the paydirt from 3 yards out and sealing the deal for South Range with the final score of 53-27.
South Range would finish with 564 yards of total offense, and stayed balanced wit 225 yards on the ground and 339 through the air, while holding the rush-heavy Tigers to 46 yards on the ground.
Billy Skripac left everything he had on the field in his final performance, rushing the ball 12 times for 59 yards and 3 scores, while adding 331 yards through the air with another trio of touchdowns totaling six on the day for the senior standout.
Shane Linstrom highlighted an emotional week with a 6-catch, 176 yard showing that also featured a heroic score into the endzone. JD Crouse was a monster on both sides of the ball per usual, offensively, Crouse had three catches for 71 yards and a score. Ayden Leon had a trio of catches as well for 54 yards, Jake Starkey had one grab for 30 tallies, and Dean Depizzo had a grab for a big score.
The Raiders controlled the ground game as well with Blake Ewert setting the pace. The E Train had 19 carries for 143 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Remish toted the rock four times for 15 yards. Aidan Dominguez had 2 carries for 12 yards and a TD, and Hunter Knauf also had two tries and put together ten yards.
Defensively, Jake Starkey led the way with an 8-tackle performance from the linebacker position. Nick Plunkett more than held his own with six tackles, and “The Bash Brothers” on the D-Line, Chris Colucci, and Bailey Ryan caused chaos as well with six tackles apiece, and combined for 2.5 sacks.
The Raiders showed up, but so did their fans. The South Range community never sat down and kept pushing this team to do the unthinkable. A team from Northeast Ohio broke down the door and showed the rest of the state that NEO is a force in football once again.
Legends Food and Drink will be hosting a Championship Celebration for South Range this Tuesday at 6:30pm. The event will be live-streamed on YSN, and we will feature opportunities for Coaches and Players to speak about their championship season. The event is open to the public, and are encouraged to come early.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/D6N_7558-2-scaled-e1670082494163.jpg6721017YSN Staffhttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngYSN Staff2022-12-03 15:49:502022-12-03 15:49:50HOIST THE TROPHY; SOUTH RANGE CAPTURES STATE BY STORM
EUCLID, OH- The Canfield Cardinals took down the Holy Name Green Wave in the state semifinal to advance to the state championship for the first time since 2005. Senior quarterback Broc Lowry ran all over the Green Wave defense with 4 rushing touchdowns in the first half to build a significant lead that the Cardinals would hang onto and win the state semifinal.
Canfield received the ball to begin the game, and it was smooth sailing as Lowry ran it in from 50 yards out to take the first lead. Holy Name would come back and respond with a touchdown from quarterback Jayvon Williams to tie it at 7. Later in the first, Lowry and company came down the field and once again scored on a 24 yard rusher from Lowry to make it 14-7. Canfield’s defense would get a stop, and Lowry busted out a big rushing touchdown of 75 yards to take a 21-7 lead. With under 3 minutes left to play in the half, Canfield came down the field and Lowry punched it in with his fourth rushing touchdown of the half to make it 28-7.
To open up the second half, the Canfield defense forced there first 3 and out of the game. The Cardinals would put 3 points on the board with a 32 yard field goal from senior kicker Joel Miasek. On the next Green Wave drive, fullback Austin Wondolowski would pick up hist first touchdown to make it 31-14, Canfield. Holy name would get on the board again in the fourth quarter with a 75 yard trick play from wide receiver Kevin Pivonka to cut it down to 31-21. Canfield on the next drive would put the hammer down with a 1 yard rushing touchdown from Danny Inglis to win the ballgame 38-21.
The Cardinals will play at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium next Friday at 3 PM for the state championship. Canfield will take on region 11 winner Bloom-Carroll (14-1), for a chance at the programs first ever state tittle.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Z62_4056A.png24003600Richie Julianohttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngRichie Juliano2022-11-27 22:29:572022-11-27 22:29:57CANFIELD TAKES CARE OF HOLY NAME TO ADVANCE TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
CLYDE, OH- Raider Nation traveled two and a half hours in order to watch history be made on Friday night. South Range punched their ticket to the OHSAA State Championship for the first time ever with a convincing 35-0 win over Liberty Center in the semis.
South Range scored in every frame, including 14 in the second stanza, and limited the Tiger offense to just 123 yards all game, with 106 of those yards coming in the second half.
The Raiders got on the board in the first when Billy Skripac connected with Ayden Leon from 52 yards out to put them ahead 7-0. On the next possession, Skripac found Shane Lindstrom from 53 yards out to push the lead to 14. The following drive, a long connection downfield would set up a Skripac plunge into the endzone to put the Raiders up 3 scores at the half,
South Range would come out and Ayden Leon would take over the game, catching another pair of touchdown passes from 6 yards, and then the dagger with just over five minutes remaining from 47 down the right sideline.
The Raiders finished with 331 yards of offense with 263 coming through the air. South Range would also have possession of the pigskin for 28:22 in the game and punched 16 first downs along the way.
Billy Skripac had his most attempts of the season, completing 14 of 18 passes for 263 yards and 4 scores through the air, and another on the ground where he also led the rushing attack with 10 attempts for 31 yards. Aidan Dominguez had 21 yards on 6 carries, and Blake Ewert had 10 carries for 12 yards.
Ayden Leon led the air attack with 9 catches, 151 yards, and a trio of trips to the endzone. Shane Lindstrom had 4 snags for 103 yards and a score.
Lindstrom also led the way on defense with 8 tackles, while Bailey Ryan plugged up the gaps for 7, and Jake Starkey and Tyler Remish held down the middle with 7.5 combined stops. Barry Pitzer added 3 solos, and Tristan Toy locked things down twice.
South Range (15-0) will now play in the State Championship against Ironton, who completed a comeback victory over Valley View on Friday to punch their ticket. Ironton was heavily regarded as the Division V favorite coming into the 2022 season.
You can catch ALL the action and talk throughout the week on YSN, and the Championship Game LIVE on Friday from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on YSN- Pregame to Begin at 10am, kickoff at 10:30.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/southRange64of85-e1669436362114.jpg10931755YSN Staffhttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngYSN Staff2022-11-26 04:42:582022-11-26 04:42:58MAKING A STATEMENT; RAIDERS TO STATE
