IT’S ALL IN THE GENES

/in /by

By Kristen Seidler

For Penguin fans who remember the National Championship Football teams of the 90’s, it’s deja vu! There are some familiar names on this year”s Penguins roster, reminiscent of those times.  Three standout players  on YSU’s current roster, Chris Sammarone, Beau Brungard, and Colten McFadden all descend from Penguin Football Royalty.

 

Chris Sammarone, a Sophomore linebacker, was a red-shirted Freshman.  Chris came to the Penguins as a Canfield High School standout, helping the Cardinals to nine straight wins and an appearance in the Division III Regional finals.  Chris’s Father, Chris Sammarone, anchored the offensive line during his three seasons at YSU from 1992 to 1995, helping the Penguins to two National Titles.  In his final year, he earned First-Team All-American Donors, awarded by the Associated Press, The Sports Network, and The Football Gazette.  Chris was inducted into the YSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.  In addition, Chris’s Grandfather, Chuck Sammarone, had an outstanding YSU career, both academically, and on the gridiron.  Chuck played from 1961-1964 for the late Dike Beede as a standout lineman.  In 1964, he won the Harry Rhoemer Award for Outstanding Achievement in Academics and Athletics.  He was inducted into the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998.

 

Beau Brungard is a Freshman quarterback on this year’s Penguin roster.  Brungard, a 2021 graduate of Springfield Local High School,  led the Tigers to a 37-4 record in his four seasons, and two appearances in the Division VI State Championship game.  He completed the 2021 season as the Division VI Co-Offensive Player of the Year.  Beau’s Father, Mark Brungard, was a YSU standout quarterback from 1991-1995.  Mark was the only quarterback in school history to guide the team to two National Championships (1993 and 1994)  In addition, he started the final 41 games of his career, and played in a total of 49 games.  He had a 56.6% pass completion and 38 touchdowns.  He was inducted into the YSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.

 

Colten McFadden is currently a senior place-kicker on YSU’s roster after playing for Kent State’s team in 2017 and 2018.  McFadden has performed extremely well for the Penguins, showing strong accuracy throughout the 2021 season, completing 8 to 9 field goals, and 29 of 30 PAT attempts.  The lone field goal miss was a 56-yard try. He was a 2021 Honorable Mention All Mahoning Valley Football Conference selection.  Colton’s Father, Paul McFadden, established multiple kicking records at YSU (1980-1983).  He finished his college career with 240 points, ranking third most as a kicker.  Among his many achievements included kicking field goals of 52, 53, and 54 yards.  He also kicked 78 successful PAT. He was inducted into The YSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.  After his stellar career at YSU, he was drafted into the NFL by the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was named the conference’s Rookie of the Year.  He went on to have an outstanding career with the NY Giants and the Atlanta Falcons, including making appearances in the Pro Bowl.

 

If genes for athletic ability (specifically football) play any role, the Penguins may be on their way to an outstanding grid-iron season!

NO ONE DOES IT LIKE VINNY

/in /by

LOWELLVILLE OH- Having a quarterback can either make a team succeed or make a team struggle.  The 2022 season has shown success for Vinny Ballone and the Lowellville Rockets who are 6 and 0 on the season with Ballone throwing for 35 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.  

Vinny Ballone has not only done that, but he has also tied a OHSAA state record with nine touchdown passes two weeks ago in their 62-20 victory against Jackson Milton.  The two players he tied with nine touchdown passes were Garrett Griffin who went to National Trail high school and Colby Spice of Wayne Trace high school back in 2013.  This season Ballone is number one Nationally in touchdowns, two with a QB rating of 155 and #7 with total yardage of 2,005.  In this edition of the Rockets player profile, YSNs Ian O’Brien chats with Vinny Ballone about his day in the life as an athlete, the weight room experience after practice, the undefeated season, coach Mamula and his teammates change to the program, and the records he tied.   Ballone and the undefeated Rockets host the Sebring McKinley Trojans in a MVAC Scarlet Tier Showdown 7pm at Paul Menichini field on YSN LIVE!!

*Contributed By YSN’s Ian O’Brien*

Presented By:

 

THE HEART OF BART

/in /by

BOARDMAN, OH- It’s the quiet ones you have to worry about.  Words have never been more true in life, and especially on the gridiron.  For some particular reason, it’s the unspoken crowd that tends to raise the most ruckus on Friday nights.

Case in point: Ryan Bartholomew of South Range.

The young man who goes about his business humbly throughout the week as he seeks out a trade in welding for his future.  Bartholomew has learned to channel his aggressions out on the opposition each week from the trenches.

Bartholomew has been tasked and has achieved success throughout the year, and has been leaned on extensively throughout the first half of the schedule to protect Billy Skripac and open up lanes for the South Range backfield.

We sat down and got the down low from one of the Raiders’ most soft-spoken players on the South Range Player Profile: The Heart of Bart.

PRESENTED BY

AGEE IS MORE THAN JUST A NUMBER

/in /by

BOARDMAN, OH- You can feel the camaraderie and brotherhood of the South Range line have to offer every snap they are on the field.

A group that many have learned to judge by the tape they watch, instead of by the tape they measure.

Caleb Agee is a perfect example.  Although he’s not your typical lineman size, Agee represents the big boys in spirit, and in execution.  Agee is among the “mountain movers” that have keyed this team to not losing in the regular season since 2019.  The speed, agility, and finesse combined with the football IQ, and relentless determination have made Agee one of the toughest tests in all of the NE8.

We caught up with the senior to discuss what makes him tick as well as prove that Agee is more than just a number, on this week’s South Range Player Profile on YSN.

PRESENTED BY

WELCOME TO VESEY VISION

/in /by

WARREN OH- Great players will always find ways to ask themselves “what else can I do to help my team win?” For Champion’s Nick Vesey , he’s been asking, and answering that question his whole career.  He’s been put in a bunch of different spots and taken more and more responsibility to help his team win. It’s what makes him so valuable to the Champion family. This season after a tough start to the season, Coach Conrad says Vesey  was one of the players that came to him and asked what more he could do for his teammates. So now in a new more producing spot, Vesey has started to shine bright for the Flashes.

To this point, Vesey leads the program in rushing yards gaining 649 yards on 81 carries. In case you don’t want to do the math, that’s an average of over 8 yards per carry.  He is also a great target for Joey Fell. Vesey has caught 11 balls for 209 yards. That’s 19 yards per catch.

Vesey took the time to hop on to YSN’s Running Point to unpack his senior season with us. He talks to Ty Bartell and Anthony Hartwig about Tagus versatility as a player, what some of his personal goals were this season, and much more. Catch up with Champion with the latest football player profile only on YSN.

Presented By:

 

URSULINE COMES OUT ON TOP OF GRIT CITY SHOWDOWN

/in /by

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio- In one of the most anticipated games of the weekend, Ursuline and Chaney met at Rayen Stadium with a lot on the line. For Chaney, they came in looking to preserve their undefeated record (5-0), as well as their No.4 ranking in Division III. For Ursuline, they were looking to continue their rush up towards the top of the DIII Region 9 polls, and looking to move into the Top 10 in the state polls.

The game definitely lived up to its hype. Ursuline jumped on the board first with a 19-yard touchdown run by standout Christian Lynch, which was followed by a successful two-point conversion on a direct snap to lineman Michael Branch to put the Irish up 8-0. Chaney answered just before the end of the first quarter as Jason Ami-Austin took it in from 21 yards out to cut the lead to 8-7. Lynch continued his stellar night on the next drive as he capped off a long-sustained drive with his second touchdown of the night to make it 14-7 Irish. After that was when we saw our first glimpse of what Cincinnati commit Jason Hewlett could bring to the ballgame. Hewlett returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards to the house as Chaney quickly tied the game up at 14. Both defenses came up big throughout the second quarter, and both teams headed to their respective locker rooms all tied up.

Chaney started the second half off hot with an impressive drive, but an interception by Will Burney put an end to that and Ursuline was able to tack on three more points on a 16-yard field goal by James McGlone to make it 17-14 Irish with 8:03 remaining in the third quarter. Chaney was finally able to secure their first lead of the game just under four minutes later as Jawann Harmon punched it in from nine yards out, but Ursuline would block the extra point to keep the score at 20-14. Ursuline answered with yet another Christian Lynch touchdown run after he set the Irish up with a 50+ yard rush earlier in the drive to make it 23-20 Irish with under four minutes remaining in the third quarter. Another touchdown from Lynch, his fourth of the night, made it 30-20 Ursuline with 4:22 remaining in the fourth quarter, making it seem like the Irish had delivered the knockout punch. Chaney though had other plans, as Bryson Douglas returned the ensuing kick 70 yards for a touchdown, Chaney’s second special teams’ touchdown of the night. That would be the last score though, as Ursuline’s offense was able to run off the final four minutes, and the Irish came out victorious 30-27.

 

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Christian Lynch had another monster night for the Irish, totaling 37 carries for 244 yards and four touchdowns. Lynch eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season during his great night.

*Contributed By YSN’s Anthony Romo.

VALLEY CHRISTIAN DOMINANT AS EVER

/in /by

CAMPBELL OH-

As always Valley Christian showed up to play on Saturday night as they played host to the Leetonia Bears. Valley was undefeated coming into today and Leetonia had yet to win a game. The game was about as close as expected as Valley Christian was bigger, faster, stronger, and they have a lot more depth available. Tyree Washington was named player of the game after his pick six and rushing touchdown in the first quarter.

The Eagles never had a drive of more than six plays as their quick strike ability was in evidence as they scored every time their offense had the football. Jhordan Peete has his best passing game on the season as he was finding Gurley and Spradley all half long and earned a couple touchdowns to go along with it. Ja’Sean Lindsey pulled off some big runs again this week as his great season continues. Overall, this Eagles offense is developing into a team that may have a chance against the likes of Mogadore and Kirtland.

Valley Christian’s defense was dominant as always as they pitched their second shutout of the season and were playing in the Bears backfield all night long never allowing a rush of over 5 yards in the first half. The defense is now allowing just nine points per game through the first six weeks of the season.

The Bears had some bright spots on the night as their special team’s unit played excellently blocking an extra point and returned multiple kickoffs passed the 25-yard line. They will look to get this team healthy and make a push against their rivals in Lisbon and Columbiana in the final three weeks of the season.

The Leetonia Bears fall to (0-6) and will travel back home next Friday as they play host to the undefeated Southern Indians. Valley Christian continues their chase fir the EOAC title this season moving to (6-0) and will hit the road for the next three weeks starting with Columbiana on Friday.

*Contributed By YSN’s Alek Koberna

FITCH STUMBLES IN FIRST LOSS OF THE YEAR

/in /by

After hitting the halfway mark of the season, two of Division 2s best squared off on Friday night. As Region 5s Austintown Fitch Falcons traveled down to historic Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in a battle with Region 7s Massillon Washington Tigers.

Fitch, after a win against last year’s state runner-up for New York Lewis J Bennett Tigers, was riding into Week 6 with a lot of momentum after a 5-0 start to the season. However, Massillon Washington was coming off a Week 5 victory over St. Ed’s (Number 1 ranked team in Ohio) and playing with an all-time confidence. Never a boring matchup, everyone was in store for a fun football game.

That is exactly what they ended up getting, with The Tigers taking it right down the field on Fitch to score after forcing a Falcon punt. Austintown was able to respond with a connection from DeShawn Vaughn Jr. to Jayden Eley for the game tying touchdown. Both teams proved to have potent offenses, exchanging scores before half, but a missed extra point attempt by Fitch resulted in a 21-13 Massillon lead at the half. 

Out of halftime, The Tigers were slated to open up with possession, a missed onside kick recovery attempt by Fitch ensured Massillon Washington’s possession in the third. Promptly scoring while controlling the ground game and game clock simultaneously. Fitch was able to strike on some quick scores, highlighted by phenomenal plays from The Falcons junior quarterback. Despite the quick drives by Austintown, Fitch seemed to have no answers on defense for Washington’s offensive line and Willtrell Hartson, who accumulated 287 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on the night. 

Burning the clock away with each impending possession, The Tigers were able to whittle the clock away to nothing, clinching a 49-28 victory over Fitch. The win will keep The Tigers (5-1) at home in Week 7, as they welcome Middletown, Delaware (2-1) to town. Coming off the loss, Fitch (5-1) will now have a week to prepare to hit the road again, this time to do battle with The Strongsville Mustangs (2-4) in Week 7. 

Scoring by Quarter

Q1: Fitch 7 – 7 Mass.

Q2: Fitch 6 – 14 Mass.

Q3: Fitch 0 – 7 Mass.

Q4: Fitch 15 – 21 Mass.

Final: Fitch 28 – 49 Mass. 

Stats (Austintown)

Rushing- 

D.J. Williams: 8 ATT, 26 YDS. 

DeShawn Vaughn Jr. : 5 ATT, 20 YDS, 1 TD.

Jamell James: 4 ATT, 3 YDS.

Passing-

DeShawn Vaughn Jr. : 16/23, 266 YDS, 3 TD. 

Receiving-

Jayden Eley: 6 REC, 143 YDS, 1 TD.

Dan Evans III: 6 REC, 47 YDS.

Dominic Perry: 1 REC, 57 YDS, 1 TD.

Jamell James: 1 REC, 10 YDS, 1 TD. 

Cam Smith: 1 REC, 9 YDS.

Defense-

DeShawn Vaughn Jr. : 10 TAK, 1 INT.

Davion Pritchard: 5 TAK, 1 INT.

Cam Smith: 13 TAK.

D.J. Williams: 11 TAK.

Kicking- 

Josiah Berni- 3/4 XP. 

Stats (Massillon Washington)

Rushing-

Wiltrell Hartson: 40 ATT, 287 YDS, 4 TD.

Dorian Pringle: 10 ATT, 78 YDS, 3 TD.

Peytton Mitchell: 10 ATT, 41 YDS.

Jalen Slaughter: 2 ATT, 14 YDS.

Passing-

Jalen Slaughter: 6/9, 39 YDS, 2 INT. 

Receiving- 

Ardell Banks: 2 REC, 15 YDS.

Braylyn Toles: 2 REC, 5 YDS.

Willtrell Hartson: 1 REC, 11 YDS.

Kyler Wiggins: 1 REC, 8 YDS. 

Defense-

Dorian Pringle: 4 TAK, 2 TFL. 

De’Airre Pringle: 6 TAK. 

Zachary Liebler: 3 TAK.

Jaden Welch: 3 TAK. 

Cody Fair: 3 TAK.

*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell

CANFIELD ESCAPES DOVER WITH OT WIN

/in /by

Dover, OH- The Canfield Cardinals bounced back in a big way last night, taking down division 2 opponent, Dover. The Dover Tornadoes got on the board first with a touchdown reception from JJ Barton to make it 7-0 with 5:46 left in the first quarter. Canfield came right back in quarter number 2, with a Broc Lowry touchdown pass to tight end Hunter Kanotz to tie the game at 7.

The game was tied at 7 at the end of the 3rd quarter, until the Cardinals moved down the field and punched it in with a short touchdown run to take a 14-7 lead with 9:19 left in the ballgame. The Dover Tornadoes put together a long sustained drive to set up shop inside Canfield’s ten yard line. It was fourth down and goal for Dover with 22 second left in the game, when Dover QB Ben Hamm ran it in to tie the game with 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

The game went into overtime, with Dover possessing the ball first. The Canfield defense was stout, and forced a short field goal in the first overtime. The Tornadoes missed the chip shot on the field goal try, and gave the football to Canfield with a chance to win it. On 3rd down and 5 at the Dover 15, Lowry broke loose and scored the game winning touchdown to take it in OT, 20-14. The Cardinals improve to 5-1, while Dover dropped to 4-2.

SCHIAVI SHOWS OUT IN BLUE JAYS WIN

/in /by

NORTH JACKSON, OH- Jackson-Milton came into week 6 looking to keep their good eason going with a win over Sebring, who is still looking for their first win of the season as the BlueJays hosted the Trojans Friday night. Milton came out hot and quick, jumping to a big lead early and never looked back. Jackson-Milton walked away with a 41-0 victory.

The Blue Jays air attack was on point thanks to QB, Alex Schiavi. Schiavi was efficient and slinging it everywhere around the field putting up 6 TDs. He completed only 10 passes for 225 yards, and connected on passes with Cayden Mitchell and Aiden Stanke. Both Mitchell and Stanke came down with 2 receiving TDs each to boost Milton to the win. The BlueJays defense also stood tall to allow the offense to roll on. 

Looking forward, Jackson-Milton has a tough matchup next week as they host Mineral Ridge in the battle of two 5-1 teams. Both offenses have the ability to be balanced in their attacks and can be deadly in their passing game. Defense will be the go to factor for either team, and whichever teams can force more mistakes and capitalize will come away with a victory. Sebring will move on to next week as they will travel to Lowellville.

 

*Contributed By YSN’s Brendan Miller.