TIGERS PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE PAYS OFF

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NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio –

It took no time at all for Kolten Ruark and the Springfield Tiger offense to find its rhythm in Friday’s first round matchup against the Mathews Mustangs. Ruark threw two first quarter touchdowns, and the Springfield defense blanked Mathews in a 42-0 routing.

After forcing a Mathews (8-3) three-and-out on the opening drive of the game, Ruark connected with Seandelle Gardner on the Tigers third play from scrimmage on third down for a 70-yard score less than 4 minutes into the game. Another three and out for Mathews and the Tigers offense was back in business. Springfield would march down the field for their second score of the first quarter, this one a Ryan Carcelli two-yard touchdown run.

Already ahead by two scores, Springfield would capitalize on a Mathews fumble that would result in the Tigers starting their third drive in short field. On the first play of the drive, Ruark would connect with Sean Guerriero in the endzone for a 28-yard touchdown.

Springfield would score once more prior to the break on a Dante Gentile 13-yard touchdown run. While the Mustangs started to find some success on their final possession of the opening half, the drive would stall out in Tiger territory just before the break.

Starting with the ball in the second half, Ruark and the Tiger offense picked up right where they left off, as the junior signal caller would connect with Guerriero again, this time for a 46-yard TD. With the running clock enacted, Mathews would methodically move the ball down the field again but stall out once more in Tiger territory.

Springfield would score once more on the night on an 8-yard touchdown run by Carcelli for his second of the night, bringing the score to its final,42-0.

BIG PERFORMERS

SPRINGFIELD:

Kolten Ruark: 6/6 passing, 176 yards, 3 TDs

Ryan Carcelli: 17 carries, 122 yards, 2 TDs

Sean Guerriero: 3 catches, 83 yards, 2 TDs

Seandelle Gardner: 3 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD

Dante Gentile: 4 carries, 44 yards, 1 TD

MATHEWS:

Ethan Petak: 30 total yards

RUARK’S PROGRESSION

Taking the reins at the beginning from the storied Beau Brungard lost to graduation, Ruark struggled through the beginning parts of this season. The junior signal caller completed just 53% of his passes in the Tigers first four games, throwing 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

Since the Springfield slow start at 0-4, Ruark has captained the Tigers offense to 35 points per game in their 7 straight wins, throwing for 769 yards at a 70% completion mark, 13 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions.

For Springfield to make a deep postseason run that the Tiger faithful have become accustomed to, Ruark will need to continue to play at a high level as the Tigers start to ramp up their competition, much like the beginning part of this season.

ROUND TWO

After taking care of business in their only guaranteed home game of the postseason, the three-time defending champs of region 21 will take on the back-to-back region 25 winners, the Warren JFK Eagles (9-1).

JFK’s 30 first quarter points in their opening round matchup put the opposing Fairport Harding Skippers in a hole early and the Eagles never looked back, winning 37-9.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson

WILDCATS WILL NOT BE STOPPED

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STRUTHERS OH- Both teams were back in the playoffs with a winning record and both teams looked to prove to one another just who can come out on top and make noise in Division four region 13.  For Struthers, this was the first winning season under coach John Bayuk, who had coached this team from a one and four record all the way to a six and four regular season finish.  For Edgewood, coach Olajuwon Cooper gave the Warriors their first winning season since 2012 and looked to pull off the upset at the Laddie J Fedor Fieldhouse.  Struthers and Edgewood have bet four times before with the Wildcats outlasting them (48-22, 30-7, 35-0, and 59-6).  

 

Struthers got on the first big play in which they recovered the opening kickoff.  Few plays later and star senior Alec Grzyb took the QB option into the endzone for a touchdown going up 7-0 early.  Next possession, it was Tyler Sanchez, part of the three headed backs in the backfield who took the handoff from Grzyb and went five yard making it 14-0.  Grzyb scored two more times in the first half.  The first took one play before he made a few men miss, going 78-yards to the endzone, and then in the second quarter from 54-yards out making it 27-0.  To end the half, the ground and puns game continued with Anthony Carter who after only one play shot up the middle for an 86-yard touchdown as the score was now 34-0 at the half.  

 

Coach Cooper and the Warriors were in desperate need for a second half turnaround and tried to make the biggest comeback.  Unfortunately that thought was short-lived.  Most of the second team came into the game, getting some playoff experience for when some of these players take the starting roles next year.  Sanchez scored for his final play of the night making it 41-0 and even the young Kendis Macleod made some noise scoring a touchdown late going up 49-0.  Junior Najier Howard would come into play at quarterback  to get reps at this time too. 

 

Edgewood scored two late touchdowns, preventing a shutout.  Senior quarterback Tony Hall would find Austin Zak twice, one in the back of the endzone from 14-yards and the second for a gain of 45.  It would not be enough to make the comeback as the Warriors, with their best season since 2012 under coach Cooper, finished off the season with a 6-5 record, falling against the Wildcats 49-14.  This team has a bright future where they look to make noise in 2023.  

 

Struthers Stats: 

Alec Grzyb: 2 of 2 for 48 yards passing 

 

8 rushes, 163 yards and three touchdowns 

 

Tyler Sanchez: 8 rushes for 103 yards and three touchdowns 

 

Anthony Carter: 5 rushes for 116 yards and a touchdown. 

 

Kendis Macleod: 12 rushes for 41 yards, one touchdown. 

 

Devin Braham: two rushes for 16 yards. 

 

Chaz Ekoniak: two receptions for 48 yards. 

 

Edgewood stats: 

Tony Hall: 21 of 37 for 207 yards and two touchdowns. 

 

Zeke Lucas: 12 rushes for 46 yards 

 

Christian Cunningham: four receptions for 41 yards. 

 

Austin Zall: three receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns.  

 

Jacob Ernst: three receptions for 28 yards.  

 

Up Next: 

9th seeded Edgewood finished their season with a 6-5 record in DIV region 13 and will look to build off that success for the 2023 season.  

 

8th seeded Struthers (7-4, 5-2 in NE8) will make the trip to Clinton Heacock Stadium to take on the number one seeded West Branch Warriors (10-1, 5-0 in Northeastern Buckeye).  

 

After the game, YSNs Ian O’Brien caught up with the winning coach John Bayuk about his first playoff victory, and the way they were able to capitalize early on for the victory.  

 

*contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*




QUAKERS CANT OVERCOME OLD EBC RIVAL

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The 2022 Salem Quaker football team met an untimely end on Friday night at the hands of former EBC foe Canton South 28-21. The Quakers found themselves down 21-0 at halftime and were unable to completely claw back into it.

An uncharacteristically slow start for Salem in the 1st half told the story. Of their 1st half drives, two ended in interceptions by South, giving them new life to which they would capitalize to the tune of 14 points. That would prove to be a deficit too insurmountable for Salem to overcome on this night. Salem would mount a comeback in the second half, recovering an onside kick to start the 3rd quarter, and twice getting within one score, just couldn’t get any closer.
 Junior quarterback Poochie Snyder would lead the way for the Wildcats as he’s done all season. He would finish the night 16-23 for 203 yards and three scores (Pugh), one of which was an acrobatic scramble that saw him elude numerous Quaker defenders and complete a 7 yard strike. That score made it 28-14 in the 4th, all but sealing the fate of the Quakers. He would also be helped by Freshman tailback Xion Culver, who would chip in 124 yards of his own on the ground, to go with 145 from Snyder.
For Salem, the loss marks the end of a record setting career for quarterback Jackson Johnson, who holds every passing and nearly every rushing record in Salem HS history. For the night he would finish 14-24 for 234 yards passing and add another 49 yards and three scores on the ground.
Salem finishes their season at 6-5, while Canton South moves on the play the 2-seeded Beaver Local Beavers next week.

Contributed By YSN’s Jarred Niederhiser

URSULINE HAILS OVER HAWKEN

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio- The Ursuline Fighting Irish started their journey that will hopefully lead them back to Canton with a first round matchup at Stambaugh Stadium against the Hawken Hawks. 

The third-seeded Irish wasted little time in tonight’s battle, marching down the field on their first drive, capping it off with a 6-yard touchdown run by Jack Ericson. A successful two-point conversion made it 8-0 Irish just over a minute-and-a-half into the ballgame. A 27-yard TD run by Ericson towards the to begin the second-quarter plus another two-point conversion gave Ursuline a 16-0 edge. The 14-seed Hawks did not go down easily though, as speedster Jordan Johnson took the ensuing kickoff 90 yards to the end zone as Hawken got on the board for the first time, making it 16-7. A 6-yard touchdown run by DC Ferrell as well as a 66-yard touchdown pass from Ericson to Marc Manning gave the Irish a 28-6 lead heading into the break.

The second half was dominated by Ursuline as well, as Christian Lynch got in on the scoring party on Ursuline’s opening possession of the second quarter, rushing the ball 47 yards to the end zone to make it 36-6 with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter. A 25-yard pick-six by Tairan Davis was the icing on top of a matchup dominated by the Irish, as they came out victorious by a final score of 43-12.

Ursuline will host the Tallmadge Blue Devils next Friday night at 7:00 at Stambaugh Stadium as the look to continue on their quest towards Canton.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Jack Ericson did it all for the Irish offensively tonight, finding the end zone on three separate occasions, twice on the ground and once through the air. Ericson also caught a pass in the first half for Ursuline.

*Contributed By YSN’s Anthony Romo

CARDINALS GET PAST QUAKERS IN ROUND ONE

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CANFIELD, OH- The Canfield Cardinals hosted the New Philadelphia Quakers in round one of the Ohio high school playoffs. The Quakers controlled the time of possession throughout the ballgame to keep it close, but a jolt by the Cardinals offense in the fourth quarter pushed the Cardinals into the second round.

Canfield started off strong on the first possession of the ballgame with a touchdown run from half back Danny Inglis to make it 7-0. The Quakers would respond in the second quarter with a long sustained drive that resulted in a Konnor Tetzloff touchdown reception to tie the ballgame at 7. The Quakers would recover an onside kick in the second quarter to take the ball back and kick a 48 yard field goal from senior kicker Nathaniel Demuth to take a 10-7 lead. The Cardinals would end the first half with a touchdown after a quarterback keeper from Broc Lowry to take a 14-10 lead at the end of the first half.

Neither team was able to get on the board in the third quarter, but the Cardinals clicked offensively in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Inglis had his second rushing touchdown of the night to take a 21-10 lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Later on in the fourth, Lowry found sophomore tight end Angelo DeLucia to seal the game at 27-10. The Cardinals will host the Aurora Greenmen next Friday at Bob Dove Field.

STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT; RAIDERS ROLL TO SECOND ROUND

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CANFIELD, OH- There are no questions as to why the South Range Raiders were ranked atop many opinion and computer-based polls.  The only question being asked was, would a 16 seed be able to sneak up on one of the area’s top dogs to start the playoff season?

South Range answered that emphatically on Friday night against Liberty with a 35-6 victory over the Leopards, ending Liberty’s 2022 campaign.

The South Range slinger, Billy Skripac would connect with Ayden Leon nearly effortlessly from 21 yards out to start the scoring at the 7:27 mark in the first.  Just minutes later, Tyler Remish would find the endzone from 4-yards out to put the Raiders up 14-0.

In the second frame, Aidan Dominguez ripped through the defense from 35 yards out, giving Raider fans flashbacks of his older brothers from Raider years past- the score put South Range up 21-0.  With 3:30 left, Skripac would strike through the air once again- this time to the other head of the three-headed dragon, Shane Lindstrom- this time from 20 yards out to put the Raiders up 28-0 at intermission.

That same combination of Skripac and Lindstrom would waste no time in the second half, on the first drive- connecting from 37 yards away on the left sideline, putting the Raiders up 35, and starting the mercy clock.

The clock would drip away the hopes of a Liberty comeback until the Leopards put together an impressive drive with 2:06 to go in the contest when senior Derek DeMattia tossed a strike to the endzone, finding Dwayne Moody from 20 yards out and putting an exclamation point on a solid season for Liberty.

Combined, the teams ran 96 plays, 55 for Liberty, and 41 for the Raiders.  South Range racked up 321 total yards to Liberty’s 168.

Billy Skripac only needed 8 pass attempts on the night, completing 6- 3 of which being touchdowns, and garnering 145 yards through the air, and adding another 14 yards on the ground.

Aidan Dominguez provided the bulk of the yards with 5 totes for 64 yards and a score.  Tyler Remish had 51 yards and a tuddy as well.  Blake Ewert also had a strong showing with 4 carries and 33 yards.  The Raiders had ten different rushers on offense throughout the night, showcasing their diversity in the backfield of strength, speed, and agility.

Lindstrom was the leading receiver with 4 receptions and 107 yards along with his pair of touchdowns.  Ayden Leon, JD Crouse, and Gaven Nagy each had a reception as well.

Defensively Tristan Toy had 7 tackles on the night.  Isaiah Slabach chipped in four tackles, and the bash brother duo of Bailey Ryan and Chris Colucci combined for 7 tackles, and two sacks.

Derek DeMattia went 13 of 26 for Liberty under center, accounting for 116 yards, a score, and a pick on the night.  John Lard had 12 yards rushing, alongside Dwayne Moody’s 9.  Tawann Tutwiler led the way for the receiving corps, hauling in 3 grabs for 51 yards.  Moody added 45 yards receiving as well for the Leopards.

South Range (11-0) will once again host next week, as they invite the Garfield G-Men to town for an All-YSN matchup.  That game will be available along with all the other games on YSN next Friday for $9.99 with the Power Pass.

GRZYB THE GREAT!

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STRUTHERS OH- The Struthers Wildcats have produced tons of talents in Mahoning county.  From Steve Belichick and John Gerak who played in the NFL, to A.J. Musolino and Robbie Best.  One player making his name known in the halls is senior running back, quarterback and receiver Alex Grzyb.  

 

Grzyb, a great student off the field and even a better athlete on the field, has been one of the stars on this Struthers team in 2022.  Early on, the season started with a one and four record.  Over the last five games however, Grzyb and the Wildcats have put on a clinic with five straight wins, two against NE8 conference rivals and the top teams in DIV region 13 in Jefferson and Girard.  

 

Grzyb is a two sport athlete in football and has also shown big promises on the baseball field in the past seasons.  This season, Grzyb has thrown for a touchdown with over 200 yards, has rushed for 888 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season and has had 246 receiving yards with five touchdowns as well as 88 yards on punt returns, returning one for a touchdown.  Some people can excel at one position, few can excel at two, even fewer can claim three. Grzyb’s goal is to take it one game at a time to lead the Wildcats to a State Championship once it’s all said and done.  The only state banner in the school’s gym is the 1978 girls basketball team.  But Grzyb looks to have two state banners of his own by the end of his career. 

 

On this edition of the player profile, YSNs Ian O’Brien sits down, discusses his football and baseball career, the family and their support and what to expect against Edgewood Friday.  The Wildcats will host Edgewood 7pm Friday and can be live streamed on YSN!!

 

*contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*

Presented By:

 

STRUTHERS FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 3) WITH JOHN BAYUK

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STRUTHERS OH- The 2000s era to now has been up and down for the struthers wildcats. After the 1999 season where the team finished 7-5 under Gary Zetts, the team went 12 seasons without making the playoffs until Curt Kuntz second season with the team. After Kuntz left in 2019 to be on the coaching staff for the Miami Dolphins under then head coach Brian Flores, the team needed a new leader. Bring in John Bayuk, who was the defensive coordinator under Kuntz the last three seasons. He also coached for the Campbell Memorial Red Devils under his father/ Hall Of Fame coach Jeff Bayuk who is now the head coach at Warren JFK.

His first season was tough when he was appointed as just two months in, the season for the wildcats and all high school sports looked to have been in jeopardy after the lockdown of the pandemic in 2020. The season did continue as planned a little differently with their only being six games and everyone making the playoffs. In his first season, the Wildcats finished two and five, losing to Salem in the playoffs 34-19. The next season, the Wildcats finished 4-6, missing the new 16 seed playoffs. This year, looked to have been the same, until Bayuk and his talented group of kids won five straight and last week beating Poland 35-7, locking them into the playoffs with eighth seed.

On this coach’s corner, Ian O’Brien talks with coach John Bayuk about the season, the big win to lock them into the playoffs and what to expect against Edgewood this Friday. The 8th seed Wildcats (6-4) will host the 9th seed Edgewood Warriors (6-4) 7pm at Laddie J Fedor Field. You can catch the game on YSN under NE8 and Struthers.

*contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*

Presented By:

 

 

HITCHCOCK NOTORIOUS FOR MAKING BIG PLAYS

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JEFFERSON OH- The last name Hitchcock rings through the halls of Jefferson Area High School. The latest installment of the legacy is current senior Grant Hitchcock.  Grant has had an immaculate career at Jefferson at the helm of the Falcons offense.  His brother Lucas ran the show, and in 2015 became the program’s leading scorer.  Grant spent the year chasing his brother’s record.  Now he has the bragging rights as he’s shattered his brother’s record with over 3,500 career passing yards.

Grant is very close to another season with both 1000 passing and rushing yards. That was one thing he was proud of last season. What is more important to him though is the fact that the team is winning this season.  The Falcons finished the regular season with a 7-3 record and have earned a home playoff game. They’ll host Poland in the first round.  Grant has always put team first. Through circumstances the team has faced this season, Grant has been asked to do many different things in the offense. He has spread out wide, sometimes he carries the bulk of the rushing responsibilities, and sometimes he just sits under center and does his thing.

Grant took the time to talk with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig to discuss his final season with the Falcons. They talk about what the team’s edge is this season, what he’s been able to improve at this year, and so much more. Make sure to check out the latest Jefferson Football Player Profile only on YSN!

Presented By:

 

MORE RECORDS FALL IN FITCH WIN

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AUSTINTOWN OH- The Austintown Fitch Falcons have been a team of adversity this season. With multiple injuries to star players this season, Fitch was left with a question, step up or falter? Younger names and veterans outside of position have filled roles exponentially this season.

Record breaking has also become second nature to The Falcons in recent weeks. Following a Week 9 game against their rival The Boardman Spartans, which saw Austintown junior D.J. Williams broke the single-game rushing yards record at 301. Fitch had another case of record breaking in Week 10 versus The Warren Harding Raiders. 

In a rivalry that has been nothing but even between two great programs, The Fitch Falcons and Harding Raiders had met 34 times previous to their Friday matchup. In their previous meeting, the two schools are 17-17 against each other all time, with them splitting the last ten matchups at five wins a piece. 

Dalys Jett has been a name for The Raiders that has caused all sorts of problems for defensive coordinators over the years, as the senior suited up for his last regular season matchup with Fitch. On the other side, The Falcons had some key returning starters in Brian Robinson on the defensive end and Jamell James in the offensive backfield. 

A potent Fitch offense established themselves on the ground effectively and emphatically. The offensive line commanded the trenches allowing the stardom of Jammell James to find the endzone a total of five times on the night through the ground. The five rushing touchdowns would end up breaking the single-game record in Fitch history, the second record breaking performance in as many weeks. 

Jett for The Raiders had the hat trick himself, scoring three touchdowns on the ground and balling out in his last performance in a Raider uniform. The win concludes the regular season for Austintown with a 9-1 record and the 4th seed in the Region 5 playoffs. Their draw? A solid and determined football program in The  Mayfield Wildcats (6-4). The playoffs officially begin on Friday, October 28th and can be found on YSN!

 

Scoring by Quarter

Q1: Fitch 21 – 0 Harding

Q2: Fitch 17 – 14 Harding 

Q3: Fitch 14 – 8 Harding

Q4: Fitch 7 – 6 Harding

Final: Fitch 58 – 29 Harding

Stats (Austintown)

Passing-

Cam Smith: 6/10, 91 YDS, 1 TD.

D.J. Williams: 1/1, 35 YDS, 1 TD.

Rushing-

Jamell James: 24 CAR, 211 YDS, 5 TD. 

D.J. Williams: 10 CAR, 118 YDS.

Cam Smith: 9 CAR, 48 YDS, 1 TD. 

Receiving- 

Dan Evans III: 5 REC, 113 YDS, 2 TD. 

D.J. Williams: 2 REC, 13 YDS. 

Defense-

Davion Pritchard: 6 TAK.

Josh Fitzgerald: 2 TAK, 1 Sack, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR. 

Eric Greathouse: 5 TAK.

Johnny Ruggles: 5 TAK. 

Kicking-

Josiah Berni: 1/1 FG (29 YDS), 6/6 XP.

*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell