EAGLES AREN’T SLOWING DOWN ONE BIT

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HANOVERTON OH- When you start the night with a school record, a 45 yard field goal from Luke Courtney, signs point to a positive result. That is exactly what United saw as they stormed Lisbon 45-6.

After the Courtney field goal, the United offense found the end zone with two runs. One touchdown came from Brock Rhodes and another from Gavin Berger.  Rhodes would then break the plain again this time through the air.  He caught a 17 yard pass from Courtney to score.  The Eagles would continue to pile on as the game went on.  Nothing could stop their offense.

United will have a huge test in Week 10 as they try to keep their outside chances of an EOAC championship alive.  They’ll travel to Salineville to take on Southern.  Lisbon will also be on the road traveling to Columbiana.

CLIPPERS CLAIM SECOND WIN IN A ROW

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LEETONIA OH- Columbiana is fresh off their win that gave their coach Bob Spaite his 200th.  They didn’t lose any momentum as they traveled to Leetonia and flew past the Bears 41-0.

Joe Guido drilled Cameron Clancy for a 16 yard pass for a score to set the tone for the Clippers.  Guido would go on to throw another touchdown and run for one as well.  Parker Bush also had a huge highlight play as he ran an interception back to the house from 40 yards out.  Caleb Buchheit capped off the night with a 74 yard run for a touchdown.

Both teams are home to end the regular season in Week 10.  Columbiana returns home to host Lisbon. Leetonia will stay at home and host Wellsville.

VALLEY WIGGLES FREE OF WELLSVILLE

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WELLSVILLE OH- Valey Christian learned all too well on Friday night how hard it is to win a football game, no matter who you play. Coming in to their matchup with Wellsville, they were the heavy favorites. But the Tigers didn’t want to hear about it. They pushed and shoved Valley Christian all night. However, 12 unanswered points to close out the game would let the Eagles escape the upset 24-18.

Ja’Shaun Lindsey was a wrecking ball for the Eagles, and a big game changer. He ran for 118 yards on the night on 16 touches.  Jon’Trell Mixon ran for 83 yards, and 33 of them scored the game sealing touchdown. He scored another one earlier in the game as well when the Eagles trailed 18-12.

Isaiah Greathouse put in serious work for Wellsville. He ran for 2 touchdowns and passed another to Tyrell Watkins. He went 5/10 for 58 yards. The Tigers scored in each of the first 3 quarters, but failed to punch anything in in the final frame.

Valley Christian has one more game to complete their 10-0 regular season. They will host East Palestine on Saturday.  Wellsville will close out the season in Leetonia.

BEAVER LOCAL BAFFLES HORNETS

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The Beavers continue to dominate on Friday nights, as they defeated the John Hay Hornets 56-6 and locked up a top 8 spot come playoff time.

 

The Beavers started with the ball for the second time this year, and needed a roughing the kicker penalty to kickstart the drive, but it ended in a 32 yard TD on a go to play action roll out to a wide open Dylan Ferguson to get the scoring started. The Beavers defense continues to roll, allowing just 4 first downs the entire first half. They handed the ball back to the Beavers offense early in the first and Caleb White reached the end zone on the first of his three rushing TDs to quickly make it 14-0. Another three and out later and the Beavers capitalized on an Austin Cline 20 yard rushing TD and the Beavers put up the most points of any team against John Hay in a single game all year, and it was still 

the first quarter. 

 

The Beavers got another first quarter score, once again courtesy of Caleb White, and it was 28-0 after just one. John Hay tried to pull out some stops, such as a successful fake punt on 4th and 7 inside their own 15, but it didn’t work, as Blake Lucas houses one from 37 out and following a pooch kick recovery, Caleb White ran one in for his third hat trick of the season, and on an insane busted PAT where Austin Cline ran back and forth for about 15 seconds before finding Owen Bzinak in the back corner of the end zone for 2, it was 43-0 at half. Tyler Prideau ran 2 TDs in in cleanup duty, and the final score was 56-6.

 

The Beavers locked up a top 8 spot in Division 4 Region 13, and will host a playoff game in 2 weeks. They play Wheeling Catholic Central next Friday with a chance to lock up a top 2 spot in the region.

*Contributed By YSN’s Michael McKenzie

WEST BRANCH WINS BATTLE OF WARRIORS

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CARROLLTON, OH- The 7-1 West Branch Warriors traveled down to Carrollton Friday looking to clinch at least a share of the EBC title. They were able to do that coming away with a 42-20 victory over Carrollton. West Branch can clinch the EBC title outright with a win against Salem next week. The Warriors currently sit at 1st in the division 4 region 13 standings and they have already clinched a top 4 seed and 2 home playoff games.

 

West Branch came out firing from the start when quarterback Dru Deshields found star reciever Christian Martig for a 5 yd touchdown pass. However, the Warriors went for the two point conversion and came up unsuccessful. Still in the first quarter Deshields threw his second touchdown pass of the night to one again Christian Martig making the score 14-0. West Branch was able to convert the two pint conversion this time.

 

Carrollton wouldn’t go down without a fight as they were able muster two touchdowns in the second quarter. Carrollton had West Branch on its heels and right where they wanted them to pull off an upset. West Branch led 21-14 at the half.

 

Coming out of the half, West Branch scored first making it 28-14 on a Anthony Perry touchdown reception. The Warriors never looked back from that point, as they were able to shut Carrollton out in the 3rd quarter and most of the 4th. The defense was lights out with Thomas Egli and Mitch Coffee getting pressure in the backfield. Running back Boston Mulinix scored and Chrsitan Martig caught his third touchdown pass of the night on a 30 yd reception from Deshields making the score 42-14. Carrollton was able to score with about 2 minutes remaining making the score 42-20

 

West Branch improves to 8-1 on the season, while Carrollton drops to 6-3. West Branch will head back home to take on Salem, which is one of the best rivalries in all of Ohio high school football. Carrollton will look to bounce back in their final regular season game against Minerva, before the playoffs.

 

Passing-

Dru Deshields: 30/45, 349 YDS, 5 TDS

 

Rushing-

Boston Mulinix: 14 CAR, 45 YDS, 1 TD

Garin Harlan: 7 CAR, 33 YDS

 

Receiving-

Christian Martig: 9 REC, 93 YDS, 3 TDS

Joey Jackson: 8 REC, 45 YDS

Anthony Perry: 7 REC, 141 YDS, 2 TDS

Michael Kanagy: 5 REC, 66 YDS

*Contributed By YSN’s Michael Ginocchi

 

EAGLES DOMINATION OF NILES CONTINUES

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HUBBARD, Ohio –

Niles started off throwing their best punch right to the chops of Hubbard much like they did a year ago at Bo Rein. After forcing a three and out on the Eagles’ opening drive of the night, a great return from Nathan Coots set the Red Dragons up with just 9 yards to pay dirt. After four straight gives to Antuan Gardner, the Niles star would finally find the endzone on his final attempt from two yards out to give the Dragons an early lead.

The two teams would swap three and outs before the Eagles would get the ball back at their own 15. Hubbard would march the ball down the field for their opening score with just over half of the second quarter clock remaining.

Hubbard’s defense would force a three and out on the ensuing Niles drive and get the ball back right around midfield. Fives plays later and the Eagles would take their first lead of the ballgame, one they’d never relinquish.

In a 2022 season filled with offensive woes for the Hubbard Eagles (6-3), the boys in blue topped 30 points for the first time all season in their 37-20 victory, a feat they accomplished 7 times just a year ago. One of the biggest proponents of the Eagles newfound success was a massive wrinkle thrown into the offense this week, scrapping the whole thing. Abandoning the wing-T and reverting to the more traditional Hoffman spread ground and pound with short passes off the run game, the Eagles were able to open the field and move the ball at will.

Although Hubbard’s offense was the main story of the night, the Eagles’ defensive effort shall not fall on deaf ears. The Hubbard defense held Niles to just 125 total yards and -12 rushing yards on 15 attempts, bottling up Gardner to -14 on the ground.

DUAL-THREAT HENDRIX

With the Eagles transitioning back into the spread, the offense has opened to allow for Hubbard’s senior signal caller, Nik Hendrix, to produce more with his legs. Hendrix tallied his highest rush total of the season with 70 yards, while also throwing for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns on 18 attempts. Hendrix also came up with an interception on the defensive side. As the Eagles head into next week against a vaunted South Range defense and into the postseason, look for Hendrix to continue to be more of a threat on the ground in addition to his talented arm.

THE STREAK

Hubbard’s 37-20 victory earned the Eagles their 16th straight victory over Niles in the series matchup. Head coach Brian Hoffman has never lost to the Red Dragons, holding a perfect 15-0record. Niles’ last victory over Hubbard came in 1995.

BIG PERFORMERS

HUBBARD: (3 penalties, 20 yards)

Nik Hendrix: 147 passing yards, 2 TDs, 70 rushing yards, 1 defensive INT

Garland Warren: 14 carries, 72 yards, 2 catches, 36 yards, 2 total TDs

Ben Wilcox: 80 total yards, 1 rushing TD

NILES: (9 penalties, 65 yards)

Nathan Coots: 1/1 26 passing yards, 4 catches 41 yards, 2 total TDs

PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS

HUBBARD:

Thanks to their win over the Red Dragons, Hubbard has nearly secured their spot in the 2022 postseason. The victory bumped them up a few spots in the rankings and leaves them with a chance of grabbing a home game with a win over the South Range Raiders in week 10.

NILES:

Falling to the Eagles for their 7th loss of the season, the Red Dragons have been eliminated from playoff contention.

UP NEXT

Hubbard: Looking to ride the momentum of their win over the Red Dragons, the Eagles will play host next week to the top dogs of the NE8, the South Range Raiders (9-0). The Raiders hold the third longest regular season win streak in the state at 29 games, while the Eagles hold a 12-game winning streak at Hubbard Memorial Stadium. Hubbard’s last home loss came October 2nd of 2020, to none other than South Range.

Niles: Their postseason dreams now crushed after their loss to the Eagles, the Red Dragons will remain on the road and head to Arrowhead to take on the Girard Indians (6-3). Since 2004, these two teams have split their 18 matchups right down the middle at 9 apiece.

 

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson

BLUE DEVILS LET LOOSE ON WATERLOO

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MCDONALD OH- Since 2017 in the MVAC Scarlet Tier, the McDonald Blue Devils have won four straight against the Waterloo Vikings.  On Friday, both teams needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive for Division VI and Division VII football, but only one could survive while the other would be eliminated altogether.  McDonald has made the postseason 18 times in school history, and twice as state runner ups while Waterloo has only made it once in 1999.  These two teams did not play each other last season and both teams were eager to get back to playing one another. 

 

McDonald got the first points when Michael Woloschak bounced it out 32-yards and took it to the endzone making it 7-0.  Waterloo then showed that Jayden Hakin can also be a passing quarterback and not just a runner as he found Bobby Harouff 63-yards for the endzone.  The PAT was blocked, however, making it 7-6.  From that point on, Waterloo had chances but couldn’t escape the tough defense of McDonald.  The Blue Devils scored three more times.  Nathan Sierra took it himself on a QB option from three yards out making it 14-6.  Then another later on from Sierra, this time five yards out as the final would be 28-6.  

McDonald Stats 

Michael Woloschak: 20 attempts for 189 yards and a touchdown. 

 

Nathan Sierra: three attempts for 17 rushing yards and two touchdowns. 4/7 passing for 89 yards.

 

Nolan Agler: two receptions for 50 yards. one interception on defense. 

 

Zach Shobel: one reception for 25 yards. five rushes for 25 yards. 

 

Jordan Parry: one interception. 

 

Waterloo Stats: 

Jayden Hakin: two of seven for 70 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions.  15 attempts for 63 rushing yards. 

 

Edgar Paulino: four attempts for 17 rushing yards. 

 

Bobby Harouff: one receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown. two rushes for nine yards. 



Up Next: 

McDonald (3-6, 2-4 in Scarlet Tier conference still needs one more win for a lock in the playoffs with coach Dan Williams as they host the Jackson Milton Blue Jays (6-3, 3-3 in Scarlet Tier conference). Game will be at 7pm on YSN. 

 

Waterloo (3-6, 2-4) looks to finish off their season with a win as they host conference rival Mineral Ridge (7-2, 4-2) in the conference.  Game will be at 7pm on YSN. 

After the game, Ian O’Brien caught up with longtime coach Dan Williams about the victory, playoffs and next week vs Jackson Milton.  

 

*contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*







SALEM TAKES MOMENTUM INTO RIVALRY WEEK

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ALLIANCE OH- Looking to bounce back after their 3rd loss of the season the week prior, the Salem Quakers made quick work of 1-7 Marlington on the road last night 41-7.

The Quakers would roll out 21 unanswered 1st quarter points on touchdowns to Cletis Monroy (one rush, one receiving) and the other on a Jackson Johnson 30 yard scamper, and would never look back. They would tack on another touchdown, this time from the arm of Ross Davidson into the hands of Jackson Johnson, as well as two Hayden Tomidajewicz field goals to take a 34-7 lead into the intermission.
Salem would score one more time, pushing them over the 30 point plateau, allowing for a running clock. This time it would be Jackson Johnson connecting with Ross Davidson for a 9 yard score. That would be the only score from either team in the second half, as Salem would salt the game away and come away victorious.
Salem (6-3) now has a date with West Branch on Saturday night, look king to avenge last year’s 43-42 loss in an instant classic at Sebo Stadium. Both teams have secured a playoff spot but, with a victory, would secure a home game in week one of the playoffs.

WILDCATS POUNCE ON GIRARD

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GIRARD OH- Week 9 of the high school football season provided what might have been the game of the year in the Northeast 8 Conference between the No. 2 ranked Girard Indians and the climbing No. 16 ranked Struthers Wildcats.

These two run first teams left it all on the gridiron Friday night, but it was the Wildcats who had the last cheer in the contest. Struthers led by the Week 7 Big Dog of the Valley Alec Grzyb would march down the field six times to score the football against a stout Girard defense.

Both defenses earned a stop on the first drive of the night, but each would give up a touchdown on the second drive. Grzyb missed the extra point however and the Wildcats would trail in the first quarter 7-6 for quite some time. That was until Grzyb, Anthony Carter, Tyler Sanchez, and Najier Howard would head down the field once more to grab another touchdown and a 2-point conversion to tie the game after the Indians had found the endzone a few drives earlier on a Stephen Sims touchdown. They went to halftime all tied up at 14-a-piece.

Out of the gate in the second half Girard attempted an onside kick that would go out of bounds after making it past the first line of the Struthers return unit. Struthers with the ball at the fifty-yard line would take it straight to the endzone and earn their first lead of the night on an 11-yard Anthony Carter run. They would attempt to throw on the 2-point conversion and would not make it so they led 20-14.

Girard found the endzone twice via Stephen Sims in the first half, but they forced to make a quarterback change in the second half as Sims did not see any action. Sophomore quarterback Dominick Tollone took the reigns of the Indians offense and would quickly answer the score of the Wildcats finding the solemnly used tight end in Jake Doby on a long touchdown pass to tie the game. They would retake the lead thanks to the extra-point and then on the ensuing kickoff they would try and kick the ball high and short in another attempt to get the ball back to their red-hot offense. It was unsuccessful and once more the Wildcats would be setup with good field position in the second half. Struthers found a rhythm once again behind the legs of Grzyb and Carter as they marched down the field and Najier Howard connected with Alec Grzyb for a 23-yard touchdown pass. Yet again the Wildcats failed a 2-point conversion, and the score was 26-21.

Going into the fourth quarter it was still a close game, but momentum was clear in the corner of the cats as they earned two unanswered touchdowns and began to pull away from the Indians temporarily before Dominick Tollone found Bobby Alejars for a touchdown. Girard would make the extra point to close the deficit back down to a one score game 34-28. Struthers offense was humming in the second half of this game as once more they would drive down the field for their fourth second half touchdown as Devin Braham had one carry all night long and it turned out to be a forty plus yard touchdown run to put the game back to two possessions after Chaz Ekoniak would make a spectacular catch in the endzone on the two-point conversion.

Girard still had just over six minutes to score twice in the fourth quarter. Their offense began the drive after the Struthers touchdown very well as Michael Palmer had two big runs that put the Indians on the plus side of the fifty. However, Struthers defense came to play on this drive as they held up the Indians on third down near the forty-yard line and forced Girard into a fourth and one. The Indians then decided on fourth and one to throw a fly route towards the endzone instead of running the football and it would come down on the turf incomplete. Struthers would take control of the ball and run the clock out to win the game.

“Trust the climb” has been the motto all year for this Wildcats unit and the climb has them now in a tie for second place of the NE8 and in the playoff race thanks to their win against a top seeded Girard Indians. They now have a winning record for the first time since their week one win against Aquinas as their record pushes out to (5-4) overall and (4-2) in conference play.

Girard now loses their third game of the season falling to (6-3) overall and (3-3) in the conference. They have already clinched a birth in the OHSAA playoffs but their seeding may take a dive for the second straight week following the loss. They will try and right the ship next week back home against Niles. The Wildcats will again defend home field next week in a battle for second place of the conference against the Poland Bulldogs.

*Contributed By YSN’s Alek Koberna

JEFFERSON SPOILS SENIOR NIGHT

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POLAND OH- Senior night in Poland as the Jefferson Falcons traveled to Poland as both teams are looking to increase their ranking in playoffs. Jefferson was able to come away with the victory. 3 different players for the Falcons scored rushing touchdowns. Jefferson wins 27-13 in week 9.

Jefferson started out their scoring second play of the game with a 56 yard touchdown run by Running Back Luke Funtash. Flacons with the lead in the early going. Second quarter was all Falcons as well. Kicker Jensen Yarosh made two fields from 30+ yards making the game 13-0 going into the locker room.

Poland would make the second half interesting. After Running Back Trent Hodge scored a 4 yard touchdown run for the Falcons, Quarterback Cole Fulton scored two consecutive rushing touchdowns in the third quarter for Poland making the game 20-13. It was all Quarterback Grant Hitchcock and the Falcons from there scoring the final touchdown of the game from 3 yards out. Falcons win 27-13. Poland will travel to Struthers next week while Jefferson will travel to Lakeview. Catch both games live on YSNLive.com.

* Contributed By YSN’s Anthony Melone