NILES’ GARDNER RED HOT IN WIN OVER WARRIORS

/in , /by

Niles, OH- In a 1st round playoff matchup, the Niles Red Dragons came out on top with a resounding victory over the Edgewood Warriors, with a final score of 65-28. The Red Dragons, now boasting a 7-4 record, advance to the second round of the OHSAA playoffs, where they’ll face off against the formidable Mentor Lake Catholic Cougars, who hold a 9-2 record. Unfortunately for the Edgewood Warriors, their season has come to an end following this loss, concluding with a 6-5 record.

The star of the game was undoubtedly Niles’ standout running back, Antuan Gardner, who had a record-breaking performance. Gardner carried the team on his back, rushing for an astounding 471 yards and scoring an incredible 6 touchdowns. His performance ranks among the best in Ohio high school football history, landing him as the 11th all-time leading rusher in the state. Gardner’s incredible feat will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.

The game itself was a rollercoaster of excitement, with both teams showcasing their offensive prowess. It began with an early hiccup for Niles as Gardner fumbled, and Edgewood capitalized, recovering the ball on the 5-yard line. This mistake led to Edgewood’s first touchdown, a 2-yard pass from Tony Hall to Jacob Ernst. The ensuing extra point by Samuel Linder was good, putting Edgewood ahead 7-0.

However, Niles quickly rebounded with Antuan Gardner leading the way. Gardner scored two 6-yard touchdowns in quick succession, both accompanied by successful extra point attempts, swinging the score to 14-7 in favor of Niles. In the second quarter, Gardner continued to dominate, breaking free for a 44-yard touchdown run, extending Niles’ lead to 21-7.

Edgewood wasn’t backing down, with Tony Hall and Jacob Ernst connecting again for a 2-yard touchdown pass, but Niles’ Anthony Budak answered with a spectacular 60-yard pass to Joe Smith for another Red Dragons touchdown. The score was now 28-14.

As the game progressed, both teams continued to put points on the board. Edgewood’s Tony Hall threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Hunt, while Niles’ Anthony Georgalas nailed a 37-yard field goal, making it 28-45 in Niles’ favor. Antuan Gardner continued to impress, scoring a 1-yard touchdown run and setting a new school record in the process.

The game reached its climax with Niles dominating the third quarter, sealing their victory with a 63-yard touchdown run by Donte Williams and a spectacular 82-yard touchdown run by Gardner. The final score stood at 65-28, securing Niles’ spot in the next round of the playoffs and etching Gardner’s name into the annals of both Niles and Ohio high school football history with 471 yards.

It was a memorable game for the Niles Red Dragons, and their fans will be eagerly anticipating their upcoming clash with the Mentor Lake Catholic Cougars in the next round of the playoffs.

ROCKETS ARE BLASTING OFF

/in /by

LOWELLVILLE OH- In a round 1 showdown, Lowellville wasted no time in asserting their dominance as they cruised to a commanding 34-0 victory over Steubenville Central Catholic.

The first quarter was scoreless, but the second quarter witnessed a flurry of action. Lowellville’s QB Michael Ballone showcased his skills with an explosive 89-yard touchdown run, although the ensuing PAT was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 6-0. The Lowellville offense continued to shine as Ballone connected with WR Matt Lucido on a 2-yard fade touchdown pass, and RB Tino Rivera-Ocasio added a two-point conversion, extending their lead to 14-0. The momentum was firmly on Lowellville’s side as Ballone found WR Braylen Dabney for a 34-yard touchdown pass, making it 20-0.

The third quarter remained scoreless, but in the fourth quarter, Lowellville was far from finished. Ballone displayed his passing prowess once again, connecting with WR Bruce Brenner on a remarkable one-handed catch for a 22-yard touchdown. Rivera-Ocasio contributed another two-point conversion, stretching the lead to 28-0. Lowellville wasn’t content with just that, as Ballone added a 50-yard touchdown run to his impressive night. The PAT attempt was no good, but the score stood at a resounding 34-0.

With that, Lowellville left no room for doubt in their victory over Steubenville Central Catholic, ultimately closing out the game with a dominant 34-0 final score.

COLUMBIANA SEES THEIR SEASON END

/in /by

KIRTLAND OH- In a hard-fought football battle, Columbiana’s season came to a close as they faced the formidable state powerhouse, Kirtland. The scoreboard told the story, with Kirtland emerging victorious with a commanding score of 49-6.

The first quarter set the tone for Kirtland, with Gino Blasini making a statement with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Max Paul. Nick Barisic’s successful PAT put Kirtland ahead 7-0. They didn’t stop there, as Rocco Alfieri powered through with a 6-yard touchdown run, and Barisic’s PAT made it 14-0.

In the second quarter, Kirtland continued their offensive onslaught. Will Beers scored a 9-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 21-0. Rocco Alfieri added another 9-yard touchdown run, and Nick Barisic’s PAT made it 28-0. Will Sayle joined the scoring frenzy with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Jake LaVerde, followed by another touchdown pass, this time 18 yards to Gino Blasini. Barisic’s consistent kicking made it 42-0.

Columbiana managed to put points on the board in the third quarter when Craig Witherow caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Liam Surgenavic. However, the PAT attempt failed, leaving them with a score of 42-6.

As the final quarter commenced, Kirtland sealed their dominant victory with Evan Kaprowski’s 22-yard touchdown pass from Max Paul, and Barisic’s PAT. The game ended with a resounding 49-6 victory for Kirtland, signaling the end of Columbiana’s season in the face of a powerful opponent.

IRISH ROLL IN ROUND ONE

/in /by

By Tim Corso 


YOUNGSTOWN OH- Ursuline took care of business against New Philadelphia 42-7 on Friday night.

​It was the first round of the 2023 OHSAA State Playoffs from Stambaugh Stadium and the #1 seed Irish were looking to stay away from trap game versus a very competitive New Philadelphia squad that has missed the playoffs just once in the past 10 seasons.

​It was a battle of 1000-yard running backs with Christian Lynch and Etnie Richardson leading their respective teams in the backfield.

​While Richardson put together a solid performance, it was Lynch that stole the show. He reached the endzone three times, and almost knocked off as many helmets doing so.

​It started on Ursuline’s first drive of the game when Ericson found four different receivers in what would be a game-opening touchdown drive.

​One of those receivers was Tairan Davis, who Ericson connected with on a touchdown late in the first half inside the redzone.

​That was one of two touchdown tosses for Ericson. The other went to D.C. Ferrell.

​Ferrell finished his last game with 7 catches for 98 yards and a score and showed out once again in the playoff opener.

​While offense is all the talk right now, the stout defense forced a turnover and came up with a number of clutch sacks.

​Senior Ty’Req Donlow tallied three sacks for the game. Two of the sacks came on early fourth down plays that thwarted any hope of a productive Quaker drive.

​Ursuline (11-0) will host one last game at Stambaugh Stadium next Friday night against Mahoning County foe Canfield (7-3) in the second round.

​For New Philadelphia (6-5), they finish of its third consecutive 6-5 season with the loss.

​https://youtu.be/4IARu8eJbjk?si=AWkRzuVkkmGZ48gW

LATE GAME PUSH LIFTS LAKERS OVER REBELS

/in , /by

Photo Credit: Kelly York Summers

Andover, OH- In a electric OHSAA 1st round matchup in Andover, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers took on the Crestview Rebels in a hard-fought battle that would decide their playoff fate. The first half of the game saw both teams locked in a defensive struggle, resulting in no scores in either the first or second quarter.

The game’s turning point came in the third quarter, with 6:41 left on the clock, when Crestview’s Jameson English connected with Joey Carr for a 5-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful extra point. This put the Rebels ahead 7-0, putting pressure on the Lakers.

However, the Lakers responded with determination, as Ty Vickery powered through the defense for a 1-yard touchdown run, and a successful 2-point conversion put Pymatuning Valley ahead 8-7 with 1:41 left in the third quarter.

As the game entered the fourth quarter, Crestview reclaimed the lead with Max Hawkins 1-yard touchdown run and an extra point, making it 14-8 with 6:25 remaining. But the Lakers weren’t ready to give up. With 2:51 left in the game, Ty Vickery once again proved his worth, scoring a crucial 5-yard touchdown, and a successful 2-point conversion, this time completed by Ryan Croston, put the Lakers ahead 16-14.

The game’s defining moment occurred on that last 2-point conversion when an initially injured Ryan Croston was stopped on the line but pushed across by teammate Ty Vickery, sealing the victory for Pymatuning Valley.

With a final score of Pymatuning Valley 16 – Crestview 14, the Lakers secured their fourth consecutive playoff appearance. The Lakers, now with an 8-3 record, are set to face the Mogadore Hornets (9-2) on the road in the second round of the OHSAA playoffs, while the Crestview Rebels (5-6) concluded their season with this hard-fought loss. It was a memorable and emotional night for the Lakers and their fans as they look forward to the challenges of the postseason.

RAIDERS FRUSTRATE FAIRLESS IN OPENING ROUND

/in /by

CANFIELD, OH-In a thrilling first-round OHSAA Playoff Football game at Rominger Stadium, the South Range Raiders emerged victorious with a final score of 43-20 over the Fairless Falcons.

The first quarter saw South Range taking an early lead as Tristan Toy broke through the Fairless defense with a spectacular 57-yard rushing touchdown, giving his team a 6-0 advantage. The extra point by Logan Butcher was successfully converted, making it 7-0 in favor of the Raiders.

Fairless came back strong in the second quarter, with Gio Moore running for a 15-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 7-6. However, South Range responded with a flurry of touchdowns. Blake Ewert ran for a 16-yard score, Aidan Dominguez dashed for an 8-yard touchdown.  Just when South Range felt in control, Tristan Toy threw a pass that was intercepted by Gio Moore for an 18-yard pick-six to tighten things up at 28-13.

Before the second quarter concluded, Blake Ewert added another incredible 53-yard rushing touchdown, and South Range took a commanding 35-13 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Raiders continued to dominate. Tristan Toy found the end zone with a 22-yard rushing touchdown, and Blake Ewert broke free for an astonishing 80-yard rushing touchdown. The Raiders also converted a 2-point conversion to extend their lead to 43-13.

Fairless made a late push in the fourth quarter, with Peter Killy rushing for a 1-yard touchdown and Brent Hrynko converting the extra point. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Raiders, and the game concluded with a final score of 43-20 in favor of South Range.

The Raiders finished with 470 yards of offense, including 429 yards on the ground.  The tone-setter was Blake Ewert with 193 yards on 8 carries and three scores.  Tristan Toy supplemented the ground game with 117 yards on four totes, and 41 yards through the air on three completions.  Michael Chadbourne collected 26 yards on two carries as well.

Gaven Nagy led the Raider defense with a pair of interceptions.  Brady Crumbacher had his name called throughout the evening in every phase of the game, as he finished with seven tackles and a sack to lead the way.

The Raiders (10-1) will host West Lafayette Ridgewood next week at 7pm, you can catch all the action as well as 12 other games on YSN for $9.99.

CARDINALS COME UP JUST SHORT

/in /by

* CONTRIBUTED BY NATE DICROSS

YOUNGSTOWN, OH –

In a thrilling Friday night matchup, the Akron Buchtel Griffins clashed with the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals in an intense showdown. The energy was electric as the two teams took to the field. Cardinal Mooney struck first with an impressive 47-yard field goal by Mason Janis, taking an early 3-0 lead with 5:10 remaining in the first quarter. But Buchtel wasn’t fazed and quickly responded.

With just under two minutes left in the opening quarter, Buchtel’s Justin Hill plowed through the Cardinal Mooney defense with a powerful one-yard touchdown run. Although the PAT was blocked, Buchtel took the lead at 6-3. The lead, however, was short-lived, as Cardinal Mooney answered back in the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by Brady Desmond. The PAT was unsuccessful, but the Cardinals took a 9-6 lead with 9:03 left in the quarter.

The back-and-forth battle continued in the third quarter when Buchtel’s Stevie Diamond connected with Demetrice Coates for a 19-yard touchdown pass. Despite a blocked PAT, Buchtel regained the lead at 12-9 with 9:17 on the clock.

The game intensified in the fourth quarter. Justin Hill, showcasing his incredible speed and skill, dashed for a spectacular 46-yard touchdown run for Buchtel. A successful two-point conversion extended Buchtel’s lead to 20-9 with just over four minutes remaining.

As tensions mounted, the Buchtel defense stepped up, with Zaire Lewis intercepting a Cardinal Mooney pass and returning it an astonishing 72 yards for a momentum-shifting touchdown. Although the PAT was blocked, Buchtel surged ahead at 26-9 with only 2:52 left in the game.

Cardinal Mooney refused to go down without a fight. Ashton O’Brien connected with Carlos Gomez for a 20-yard touchdown pass in the closing minutes, and Mason Janis successfully converted the PAT, narrowing the gap to 26-16 with just over a minute left in the game.

However, despite Cardinal Mooney’s late surge, time ran out, and the Akron Buchtel Griffins emerged victorious with a hard-fought 26-16 road win over the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals.

THE BATTLE TESTED BULLDOGS

/in , /by

POLAND, OH –  Vince Zuccaro and Caden Dennis are two remarkable seniors who have left an indelible mark on the Poland Bulldogs football team. As the starting left tackle, Vince Zuccaro’s imposing presence on the offensive line has been instrumental in the team’s success. His commitment to his position and his teammates has earned him the respect of both players and coaches alike. With his exceptional blocking skills and strong work ethic, Vince has been a key player in the Bulldogs’ offense, providing vital protection for the quarterback and opening up running lanes for his teammates.

Caden Dennis, also a senior, has shown incredible resilience and a deep love for the game of football. While an unfortunate injury sidelined him for the season, Caden’s commitment to his team has not wavered. Instead, he has transitioned into the role of a student-assistant coach, offering his knowledge and experience to support his fellow teammates from the sidelines. Caden’s football IQ and passion for the sport have made him an invaluable asset to the coaching staff and players alike. His ability to provide insights and guidance during practices and games has been a testament to his dedication to the Bulldogs, exemplifying that true leadership extends beyond the playing field.

Check out these two Poland star football players in the first round of the OHSAA state playoffs as the #3 Poland Bulldogs will take on the #14 East Liverpool Potters on Friday night from Bulldog Stadium!

PRESENTED BY:

 

POLAND BULLDOGS FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP. 8) WITH TOM PAVLANSKY

/in , /by

POLAND, OH – The Poland Bulldogs (9-1) are currently sitting in a great position to not only host multiple playoff games but also make a deep post season run. Last week, Poland took on a Girard in what turned out to be a thrilling 28-27 victory. The Bulldogs also wrapped up the #3 seed in Division IV Region 13. While being the three seed the Dogs will play host to the #14 East Liverpool Potters on Friday night.

YSN’s own, Steve Leslie had the opportunity to sit down with Coach Pavlansky this week at Combine Brothers to discuss their playoff seed, what his takeaways were from the win last week over Girard, what Coach’s keys to victory are for round one against the Potters, and so much more.

This week’s episode of Poland Bulldogs football coach’s corner with head coach, Tom Pavlansky is LIVE!

PRESENTED BY:

 

YSN FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PREVIEW: UNITED

/in /by