CARDINALS ARE ROAD WARRIORS IN THE PLAYOFFS

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CRESTON, Ohio –

In a battle of two of the top offenses in region 17, it was defense and special teams that proved to be the difference.

Making their second hour plus trip in as many weeks, the 13 seeded Cardinal Mooney Cardinals (6-6) made the long trek to Creston to take on the number 5 seed Norwayne Bobcats (8-4).

Late in the first quarter, Norwayne was set up for a thirty-yard field goal to take an early lead, but a low lined kick would be bated down by a Mooney defender to keep the score knotted at zero. The ensuing drive for Mooney would result in the Cardinals having to settle for their own thirtyyarder, however this operation would prove to be successful, ending in Nick Pregibon kicking it through for the opening lead of the night less than two minutes into the second quarter.

Norwayne would respond with scores on their next two possessions, a twenty-yard field goal and a sixteen-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Elijah Stanley to running back Jake Gill from sixteen yards out with just thirty-three seconds left in the opening half. The Bobcats would take a 10-3 lead into the break.

Starting with the ball to open the second half, Mooney would take a good return to their own forty yard to set up Ashton O’Brien and the Cardinal offense with favorable field position on their opening drive. O’Brien and company needed just over a minute and half to move the ball down the field and knot things up at 10, thanks to anO’Brien to Adyn Paige sixteen-yard touchdownpass on a wheel route in the endzone.

Mooney would score once more in the third quarter to take their first lead since the early moments of the second quarter, this time it was O’Brien’s legs that did the job, as he plunged one in from a yard out after connecting with Alec DelSignore over the middle at the goal line.

Ahead by a score, the Mooney defense continued to stiffen the Bobcats offense. After a huge stand on fourth down to turn Norwayne over, the Cardinal offense went back to work and extended their lead to two scores on an O’Brien to DelSignore four-yard touchdown with just a few ticks over six minutes left in the game.

Down but not out, the Bobcats willed their way back into the ball game. Staring fourth down and manageable with the ball in their own half, Norwayne quarterback Elijah Stanley stood tall in the pocket and delivered a down field strike to Jake Gill from fifty-six-yards out for their second scoring connection of the night, drawing the Bobcats to within a possession.

After an unconventional onside kick attempt that saw the Norwayne kicker line the ball into open space down the field with Mooney all pressed forward towards the line scrimmage, the Cardinals were able to narrowly recover and retain possession. The Cardinals were unable to finish the game out on the ground and were forced to punt the ball back to the Bobcats, who would take over with just under three minutes remaining in their own territory.

Gill would will the ball down the field for Norwayne catching passes and taking handoffs for big chunks, as the Bobcats offense would get all the way down to the Mooney four-yard line with less than a minute to go. After a huge tackle for loss on second down and one, Norwayne would have a false start penalty on third down to back them up five before firing an incomplete pass just shy of Stanley’s intended receiver.

Fourth down and seven, ball resting on Mooney’s ten–yard line the game came down to one final play. Stanley would take the shotgun snap and fire a pass across the middle that would be tipped by senior linebacker Logan Boyd, forcing the pass to fall incomplete but a marker was down. After a lengthy conference, the officials would wave off the flag for pass interference thanks to Boyd’s hand on the football. When the Cardinals needed it most, it was the senior linebacker who stepped up and made a play. One kneel down later, and the Cardinals escaped with the victory, 24-17.

REGIONAL SEMI-FINALS

Winning two playoff games in the same year for the first time since 2013, the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals have set themselves up for a valley dream matchup against the South Range Raiders (12-0). The Raiders were able to take care of business against the Liberty Leopards 35-6 in the opening round, before taking it to the Garfield G-Men 49-10 in the second round.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson

CANFIELD BACK IN REGIONAL SEMIFINAL FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

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CANFIELD, OH- The Canfield Cardinals hosted the Aurora Greenmen on Friday night in regional play. Canfield got off to a quick start and controlled the game the rest of the way. The Cardinals struck first on one of two Danny Inglis touchdowns on the night to make it 7-0. Early in the second quarter, quarterback Broc Lowry rushed it in from two yards to make it 14-0. The Greenmen would come right back and score on a touchdown reception by tight end Jayce Unverferth to make it 14-7. On the next drive, Lowry would explode through the secondary and take a run 80 yards to the house, extending the lead to 21-7. Lowry did it on both sides of the ball tonight, getting an interception on the next Greenmen drive. Late in the second quarter, Inglis caught a touchdown to go into halftime leading 28-7.

The Cardinals started right where they left off at the end of the first half, coming out in the third quarter scoring twice more to make it 42-7 after three quarters. Aurora would score one more time in the fourth quarter on a Zach Nemet two yard touchdown run to make it 42-14. That would end up being the final score in the ballgame as the Canfield Cardinals move to the regional semifinal for the third consecutive season. Canfield will take on the Ursuline Irish next Friday. The site for next week’s game is TBD.

2022 ALL-YSN FOOTBALL TEAM RELEASED

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EAST PALESTINE, OH – Your Sports Network is honoring over 160 local football players by being named to the 2022 All-YSN Football Team this season.

The honor was voted on amongst the announcers, writers, and staff at YSN. Each affiliated school was granted representation based on its record at the end of the regular season.

Congratulations to each of these players for their excellent representation of their families, team, and communities.

Austintown Fitch Brian Robinson Dan Evans III Jamell James Cam Smith DJ Williams
DeShawn Vaughn
Beaver Local Austin Cline Caleb White Dylan Ferguson Noah Bowyer
Boardman Kejuan Robinson Tomas Andujar Fernando Ortiz
Brookfield Donovan Pawlowski Isaiah Jones Christian Davis Aiden Jones Connor Heater
Campbell Memorial Anthony Kindinis
Canfield Broc Lowry Danny Inglis Dom Marzano Gavin Ramun AJ Murphy
Cardinal Mooney Ashton O’Brien Alec Delsignore Tino Merlo Nolan Radinsky
Champion Joey Fell Nick Vesey
Chaney Jason Hewlett DJ Waller Matthew Jones Rolando Bruno Jawaun Harmon
Columbiana Joey Guido
Crestview Roclen Bettura Dom Yerkey Cade Hancox
East (Youngstown) Akise Waller
East Liverpool Mason Ludwig
East Palestine Jesse Lipp
Edison Gage Cline
Garrettsville Garfield Keegan Sell Eric Geddes Deacon Sommers Jesse Grace
Girard Michael Palmer Nic Bengala Stephen Sims Ahmad Curd
Howland Marco Massucci Sam Vacha
Hubbard Mason Hodge Nick Bowser Ben Wilcox
Jackson-Milton Alex Schiavi Aiden Stanke Keegan White Cayden Mitchell
Jefferson Grant Hitchcock Trent Hodge
Wade Woodworth
LaBrae Jay McGarry
Lakeview Damien Natali Nolan Toth
Leetonia Hayden Cibula
Liberty Chris Cunningham Tyson Lawrence Watson
Lisbon Austin Dailey Trevor Seifke Logan Stauffer Haiden Colvin
Louisville Charlie Roberts Daveion Cruse
Lowellville Vinny Ballone Anthony Lucente Brady Bunofsky Santino Rivera Ocasio Matt Lucido
McDonald Nathan Sierra Nolan Agler
Mineral Ridge Triston Valley Ian Erb Mason Miller Nathan Rohrman
Mohawk Jay Wrona Justin Boston
Newton Falls Camryn Brainard Gage Phares
Niles Matt Keeley Nathan Coots
Orange CJ Gissentaner
Poland Danny Nittoli Cole Fulton Dom Pagano
Salem Jackson Johnson Caden Swiger Ryan Kamperman Ross Davidson
Sebring Scott Boston
Southern Wyatt Morris Noah Perfetto Colton Soukup Ryan Exline
Cooper Edmiston
South Range Billy Skripac Bailey Ryan Shane Lindstrom Chris Colucci Ayden Leon Tyler Remish JD Crouse
Springfield Kolten Ruark Dylan Sheely Ryan Carcelli Seandelle Gardner
Struthers Alec Grzyb Chaz Ekoniak Tyler Sanchez Brady Clyde
United Grant Knight Luke Courtney Dalla McCracken Brock Rhodes
Ursuline Christian Lynch DC Ferrell Jack Ericson Ty’req Donlow Isaac Lucas Will Burney
Valley Christian Jon’Trell Mixon Ja’Sean Lindsey Brian Tubbs Jhordan Peete VeShun Gurley
Warren JFK Caleb Hadley Antonio Smith Aidan Rossi Ambrose Hoso Thomas Valent
Waterloo Austin Wise Justin Fox
Wellsville Isaiah Greathouse Kolby Ramsey
West Branch Dru DeShields Christian Martig Thomas Egli Boston Mulinix Mitch Coffee
Western Reserve Luke Henning Luke Ramsey PJ Beres
Windham Chase Eye
St. John Matt Miller
Conneaut Zack Rice Max Gleason Ty Covill
Lakeside Angelo Collazo
Malachi Donahue
Edgewood Tony Hall
Christian Cunningham
Pymatuning Valley Ryan Croston
Grand Valley Bobby Rogers

FITCH BREAKING RECORDS AND TAKING NAMES

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AUSTINTOWN OH-

In the start of Week 11, 16 teams from 28 different regions began their quest to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Friday night. Taking a trip over to Division 2, Region 5 where the #4 seeded Austintown Fitch Falcons hosted in the #13 seeded Mayfield Wildcats. Being a sneaky good team despite their seed, Mayfield went into Greenwood Chevrolet Stadium with a 6-4 record; however, all four of those losses were against would-be playoff teams. Bringing in a ton of speed with Dylan Parnell and Nick Biega at the wideouts, The Wildcats have been a dangerous, quick-scoring offense all season. 

Despite the offensive potency of Mayfield, The Falcons won the opening toss and elected to test their defense out of the gate by deferring to Rocco Monastero and company. Getting an initial first down would be all the offense Mayfield could muster on the opening drive, having to eventually punt it away back to Fitch. Following the punt return, The Falcons gave it to their senior star running back Jamell James and on the first offensive play of the game, James took it to the house for six! Josiah Berni tacked on the extra point making it 7-0 Austintown in a blink of an eye. 

Both teams exchanged second possessions before The Falcons would force an additional punt from The Wildcats offensive in which they would immediately translate to six more, thanks to a Cam Smith Strike to Jamell James for a receiving touchdown. Beginning in the second quarter, Rocco Monastero found his running back in Anthony Santoro from 16 yards to trim the deficit to seven points. A four play response drive, capped off by a 45 yard rushing touchdown for Jamell James put Fitch right back up by 14. A group of fighters Mayfield proved themselves to be, as Monastero got himself in position to break out of the pocket for the goal line touchdown to once again cut the lead. 

With five minutes to go in the half, Fitch would score 21 unanswered points, including a beautiful 65 yard passing strike from Cam Smith to Dominic Perry, giving Austintown a commanding 42-14 lead at halftime over The Wildcats. Not taking their foot off the gas, The Falcons would draw up a similar play from earlier in the game. Resulting in a 51 yard rushing touchdown by Jamell James on the first offensive play of the second half, making it a running clock game at 49-14. 

However, Mayfield showed a ton of heart and grit throughout all four quarters. Never giving in, The Wildcats forced the deficit back under 30 a couple of times to keep the running clock at bay. Time would not be on The Wildcats side, but history was on The Falcons. As Jamell James would break not one, but two single game records for Fitch! Earning 305 yards on the ground James dethrones his partner in crime D.J. Williams owned the record of 301 yards for 14 days. James would also get six touchdowns on the day (5 rushing, 1 receiving) to help Austintown put the finishing touches on a 56-34 first round victory. With the win, The Falcons (10-1) will move on to host #5 seeded Akron St. Vincent & St. Mary’s (8-3) in the second round of the regional bracket! 

Scoring by Quarter

Q1: Fitch 14 – 0 Mayfield

Q2: Fitch 28 – 14 Mayfield

Q3: Fitch 14 – 6 Mayfield

Q4: Fitch 0 – 14 Mayfield

Final: Fitch 56 – 34 Mayfield

Stats (Austintown)

Passing-

Cam Smith: 5/9, 137 YDS, 2 TD.

Rushing-

Jamell James: 20 CAR, 305 YDS, 5 TD, 15.25 YPC. 

Cam Smith: 7 CAR, 59 YDS, 1 TD, 8.4 YPC. 

Receiving- 

Jayden Eley: 2 REC, 39 YDS.

Jamell James: 2 REC, 33 YDS, 1 TD.

Dominic Perry: 1 REC, 65 YDS, 1 TD. 

Defense-

Brian Robinson (B-Rob): 11 TAK, 1.5 Sacks, 2.5 TFL. 

J’Allen Underwood: 9 TAK, 1.5 TFL. 

Xavier Dahn: 7 TAK, 0.5 Sacks, 0.5 TFL. 

Kylen Foster: 7 TAK, 1.5 Sacks, 2 TFL. 

Christian Latone: 3 TAK, 1 TFL.

Dan Evans III (D.E.3): 4 TAK, 1 INT. 

Davion Pritchard: 3 TAK, 0.5 Sacks, 0.5 TFL. 

Donovan Bell-Sullivan: 2 TAK, 0.5 Sacks, 0.5 TFL. 

Devin Phillips: 2 TAK, 1 FR. 

Kicking/Special Teams-

Josiah Berni: 8/8 XP.

*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell.

WARRIORS FINISH OFF FIELD

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Beloit OH- The number one seeded West Branch football team opened up playoff action at home against the 16th seeded Mogadore Field Falcons. Warrior Head coach Tim Cooper was looking for his first career playoff win and the Warriors did not disappoint. West Branch walked away with a 52-20 win.

 

West Branch started off red hot when gunslinger Dru Deshields hit Joey Jackson for a 77yd touchdown. The two point conversion was good making the score 8-0. However, Field marched right down the field and scored making the score 8-7. The Warriors drove right down the field but unfortunately it came at a cost! Star quarterback Dru Deshields went down with an injury and did not return.

 

Junior backup quarterback Bo Alazaus stepped right in and did an outstanding job for West Branch. Alazus accounted for 5 total touchdowns, three rushing and two passing. One of his best passes came on a 14yd touchdown pass to Garin Harlin. The Warrior offense really fed off of the energy that Beau was able to bring to the table.

 

Coach Cooper called Beau Alazus the “Rifleman” because he throws a tight spiral with a lot of zip and he can fit the ball into tight windows. Coach was also pleased with the play of his offensive line giving his quarterback time to throw the football.

 

With the uncertainty of quarterback Dru Deshields, coach Cooper feels confident in his team to go out next week against a tough Struthers squad and pull out a win. He said “Struthers is very physical, athletic, well coached and we know it’s going to be a challenge.”

 

West Branch Improves to 10-1, while Field ends the season at 4-7. The Warriors will host 8th seeded Struthers next Friday at 7 P.M. 

 

Passing-

Beau Alazaus: 18/24, 242 YDS, 2 TDS

Dru Deshields: 3/4 106 YDS, 1 TD

 

Rushing-

Boston Mulinix: 16 CAR, 117 YDS, 1 TD

Beau Alazaus: 4 CAR, 16 YDS, 3 TDS

 

Receiving-

Joey Jackson: 6 REC, 118 YDS, 1 TD

Michael Kanagy: 3 REC, 44 YDS, 1 TD

Christian Martig: 4 REC, 55 YDS

Anthony Perry: 3 REC, 67 YDS

Garin Harlan: 1 REC, 14 YDS, 1 TD


*Contributed By YSN’s Michael Ginocchi

GIRARD WINS SECOND IN A ROW OVER HUBBARD

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GIRARD, OH- As we begin to roll deeper into the playoffs, no other team has had a more up and down season than Girard. The Indians have had to deal with injuries and tough losses as they were on their way to a great regular season. But in their Division IV, Region 13 matchup against a familiar foe in Hubbard, Girard looked back to Stephen Sims to lead them. A low scoring first half transitioned into a more back and forth second half, with both teams trading blows. But eventually possession time was a factor against the Eagles as Girard walked away with a 30-20 victory. 

Hubbard struck first early with a touchdown by Ben Wilcox, but Girard answered right back with a connection from Dominick Tollone to Anthony Bengala to tie it up at 7 a piece. A blocked punt by the Indians would allow them to settle for a field goal to go up 10-7 at the half. In the second half, just like the first, Hubbard scored out the gate, but Girard answered and regained the lead at 16-14. Girard slowly started taking over after another score to go up 23-14 going into the final stanza. Girard would keep Hubbard off the board again and Sims would extend the lead to make it 30-14 with a 41-yard run. Hubbard would eventually find the endzone one last time, but ran out of time to make a comeback.

Hubbard’s season will come to an end with a 6-5 record. Congratulations to the Eagles on a tremendous season. Girard will advance to the second round as they will host another familiar foe, Jefferson Area next Friday. Don’t miss it on YSN!

*Contributed By YSN’s Brendan Miller

INDIANS WIN BATTLE IN THE SOUTH

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SALINEVILLE, OH- When it comes to playoff time in Ohio, about anything can happen. A crazy upset, a dominant win, last second heroics, and many other things. In the Div. VII, Region 25 matchup between Southern Local and South Central, the Indians showed up and showed out. Southern’s early scoring and tight defense was too much for the Trojans as the Indians walked away with a dominant victory, 65-21.

Southern came out flying thanks to Colton Soukup who got the Indians on the board just two plays in with a 45-yard touchdown run. South Central punched right back with a long drive and a score to tie it up at 8. That tying score would not matter too much as the Indians roared right back as Wyatt Morris found some light towards the end zone from 21-yards to regain the lead at 16-8. The Indians offense got the ball rolling and that gave the defense some advantage, and that showed as Soukup stepped in front of a pass and took it back 55-yards for a score to put Southern up 24-8. Cooper Edmiston, Ryan Exline, and Soukup would all add more scoring for the Indians before half to make it 46-14. In the second half, Southern would add a few more scores to extend their lead and ultimately put the game away.

Soukup finished with 6 carries for 113 yards, Noah Perfetto added 5 carries for 113 yards, and Wyatt Morris had 6 carries for 84 yards.

Looking forward, Southern advances to the second round for the 2nd straight season and just like last season, they will take on Norwalk St. Paul. Last season, St. Paul got the best of the Indians in a tough overtime loss. Southern looks for redemption as they will host St. Paul next Friday.

*Contributed By YSN’s Brendan Miller

UNITED EARNS PROGRAM FIRST PLAYOFF WIN

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ROOTSTOWN, OH- As everyone knows, the saying goes “Defense wins championships”. Well, in the Div. VI, Region 21 matchup between United and Rootstown, offense was the way to get to a victory. A wild game that saw United up by 20 at half, to Rootstown nearly coming all the way back with a late push. United’s offense would put up 657 total yards, led by quarterback Luke Courtney to seal the victory, 62-49.

Courtney started the game off for United with back-to-back touchdown runs and a passing touchdown, one from 75 yards and 3 yards out. Then Courtney found Grant Knight for 31 yards. After the consecutive scores from the Golden Eagles, both teams would trade blows up until half to make 41-21 United. Courtney would add more to his amazing game in the second half, finishing with 3 touchdowns through the air and 5 on the ground. United’s defense stood tall towards the late push by Rootstown and capped the game off with one of Courtney’s touchdown runs. 

Courtney finished with 14/21 for 316 yards and 3 TDs through the air, and carried the rock 20 times for 238 yards and 5 TDs. Grant Knight finished with 9 receptions for 156 yards and a TD. Brock Rhodes added 2 receptions for 73 yards and TD, along with a rushing TD.

Looking ahead, United will advance to the second round, but will have a huge task in front of them in undefeated Kirtland who came away with a victory over Independence, 48-6. United will travel to Kirtland next Friday. Don’t miss it on YSN!

*Contributed By YSN’s Brendan Miller

TIP YOUR HAT TO THE COWBOYS

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH- Usually a slow start in a playoff game doesn’t turn into something good, but in the Division III, Region 9 matchup between Chaney and Alliance, the Cowboys were able to turn their slow start into something positive. Chaney was looking for their first postseason victory since 2003. A big momentum swing on defense right before half was all it took for Chaney to get back into the game and come away with the victory, 35-21.

Alliance’s offense was rolling from the start, led by QB Brendan Zurbrugg who started perfect in the air for 126 yards and 3 touchdowns. But right before half, Chaney’s DJ Waller picked off Zurbrugg that led to a score for the Cowboys to make it 21-17 Alliance at half. After the break, Chaney unleashed on offense and kept Alliance off the board for the remainder of the game. Matt Jones was able to find the endzone two times and the night was capped off with Jawan Freeman punching one in from a yard out to finish off the scoring for the Cowboys

Looking ahead, Chaney will advance to round 2 as they will host 13-seeded Kenston next Friday night. Don’t miss it on YSN!

*Contributed By YSN’s Brendan Miller

NO RUST ON THE EAGLES WINGS

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Week one of the post-season introduced the rest of the state to the glory of Valley Christian. The War Eagles took to the gridiron Friday night with fire in their hearts ready to explode. They did just that. On the first play from scrimmage Phillip Spradley introduced the Trinity Trojans to Valley football as he popped off a 75-yard touchdown run. The defense then collected their first of many three-and-outs and gave the offense back the ball near midfield. Then once more Phillip Spradley showed off his championship caliber speed as he sprinted to the endzone on another big touchdown run. The touchdown trends would not be an order for one as the sugar was spread around the field with touchdowns coming from Jon’Trell Mixon with two, Ja’SeanLindsey with two, Jhordan Peete with two and VeShun Gurley ended with one. The defense was menacing all night long as they allowed just 44 yards to the Trojans. In comparison, the offense hit 435 total yards with over 300 coming on the ground.

Valley would go on to win the game 53-0 and collected a historic tenth win on the year for just the second time in program history. The 53 points also tied the Eagles for third most points in a game in program history. It was also the teams first playoff win in a decade. Phillip Spradley took home player of the game honors thanks to his two rushing touchdowns for 119 yards on just two carries. He also pulled in a receiving touchdown from 31-yards out. Valley would score all 53-points in the first half of the game.

Head Coach Andy Hake told me before the game that if they are going to compete against the likes of Mogadore and Kirtland that they could not be content to just win the game, they had to look dominant. I would say they looked the part well here in week one of the postseason. They will take on the same team that eliminated them from the playoffs a season ago next week in Cuyahoga Heights. Last year Valley was on the road, but this time around they will be the host down in Spartan Stadium in Boardman.

*Contributed By YSN’s Alek Koberna