SPARTANS BOUNCE BACK ON THE ROAD

Photo Credit: Noelle Nunes

Jefferson, OH- Looking to recover from a tough loss against the very talented Hawken Hawks, the Conneaut Spartans took on the Jefferson Falcons in a high-scoring battle that had fans on the edge of their seats. The Spartans, hungry for victory, came out strong in the first quarter, with quarterback Max Gleason connecting with Ethan Osborne for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Bryce Spurlin’s extra point was good, giving Conneaut an early 7-0 lead.

Not content with just one touchdown, the Spartans struck again in the first quarter, this time with Max Gleason showcasing his versatility by scoring a 25-yard touchdown run. Bryce Spurlin once again nailed the extra point, extending Conneaut’s lead to 14-0.

Jefferson, refusing to back down, responded with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Burlingham to Kaige Boczar, followed by Jensen Yaroush’s successful extra point, making it a 14-7 game.

The second quarter continued to be action-packed as Conneaut’s Wyatt Payne bulldozed his way into the end zone with a 5-yard touchdown run, though the two-point conversion fell short. Nevertheless, the Spartans led 20-7.

Max Gleason wasn’t finished yet, as he punched in another 1-yard touchdown run, bringing the score to 26-7. But Jefferson wasn’t going down without a fight. Dylan Burlingham connected with Kaige Boczar on a stunning 75-yard touchdown pass, and Yaroush’s extra point made it 26-14.

Conneaut’s offense remained relentless, with Bryce Spurlin tossing a 24-yard touchdown pass to Max Gleason, who was having a stellar game. The extra point was good, and the Spartans extended their lead to 33-14.

In the third quarter, Max Gleason continued to shine, scoring a 9-yard touchdown run, while Wyatt Payne added another touchdown to his name with a 21-yard run. Bryce Spurlin’s reliable leg made the extra points, and Conneaut surged ahead 47-14.

The Falcons showed their fighting spirit in the fourth quarter, with Dylan Burlingham connecting with Devin Salinas for a 16-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful two-point conversion. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Spartans’ lead.

When the final whistle blew, the Conneaut Spartans emerged victorious with a final score of 47-22. This impressive win improved their record to 4-2, including a 1-0 record in the CVC Lake division. Up next, they face a tough challenge on the road against the 5-1 Geneva Eagles in week 7.

Standout performances for the Spartans included Wyatt Payne, who rushed for a remarkable 230 yards and scored 2 touchdowns while also making 2 interceptions on defense. Max Gleason also had an incredible game, rushing for 185 yards and scoring an impressive 5 touchdowns.

DRAGONS ROAR LATE BUT FALL SHORT

Madison, OH- Looking to start their CVC Lake division of right, the Lakeside Dragons took on the red hot Madison Blue Streaks. It was a game filled with excitement, big plays, and moments that showcased the determination of our Dragons.

The first quarter started off with Madison’s Carson Alley connecting with Alexander Davis for a 20-yard touchdown pass, putting the Blue Streaks ahead 7-0. But the Lakeside Dragons were determined to fight back.

In the second quarter, Madison’s James Poe managed a 1-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 14-0. However, the Dragons answered with a spectacular 80-yard touchdown run by Devan Miller. Although the 2-point conversion attempt fell short, the Dragons were back in the game, trailing 14-6.

Madison’s offense remained potent, with Carson Alley throwing two more touchdown passes in the second quarter, to Ryan Radkowski and Max Steele. The Blue Streaks increased their lead to 28-6 at halftime.

The third quarter saw Devan Miller’s second touchdown of the game, a 2-yard run, but the 2-point conversion was unsuccessful, making the score 28-12 in favor of Madison. Unfortunately, the Blue Streaks’ Alexander Davis broke free for a stunning 60-yard touchdown run to stretch their lead to 35-12.

In the fourth quarter, Carson Alley continued to impress, tossing a 29-yard touchdown pass to Max Steele. Madison was now ahead 42-12. But the Lakeside Dragons refused to give up, as Alex DiSalvatore connected with Matt Wagner for a 45-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful 2-point conversion, bringing the score to 42-20.

Ultimately, the game ended with the Madison Blue Streaks prevailing 42-20. Despite the loss, our Lakeside Dragons showcased their resilience, with Devan Miller accumulating over 100 rushing yards and scoring two touchdowns, while Alex DiSalvatore contributed with a passing touchdown.

Looking ahead, the Lakeside Dragons (3-3, 0-1 CVC Lake division) will return home to face the Jefferson Falcons (0-6, 0-1 CVC Lake division) in week 7, aiming to bounce back with a victory. Meanwhile, the Madison Blue Streaks (5-1, 1-0 CVC Lake division) will be on the road against the Edgewood Warriors (4-2, 0-1 CVC Lake division) in what promises to be another thrilling contest. Despite the setback, the Lakeside Dragons are poised to regroup and continue their pursuit of success in the remainder of the season.

HORNETS STING MUSTANGS

Orwell, OH- In a challenging matchup against the Kirtland Hornets, the Grand Valley Mustangs found themselves facing an uphill battle from the very start. The Hornets wasted no time in establishing their dominance, with a flurry of touchdowns in the first quarter.

First, Kirtland’s Jake LaVerde connected with Will Sayle for an impressive 31-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful extra point, putting Kirtland ahead 7-0. The Hornets continued to pour it on, as Rocco Alfieri dashed for a 35-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 14-0. Will Beers then added to the onslaught with a 20-yard touchdown run, although the extra point was missed, making it 20-0 in favor of Kirtland. The first quarter continued to be a nightmare for the Mustangs, with LaVerde finding Gino Blasini for a 15-yard touchdown pass, and the extra point made it 27-0.

The second quarter wasn’t any kinder to Grand Valley, as LaVerde showcased his versatility by rushing for a 29-yard touchdown, and the extra point made it 34-0. The Mustangs’ struggles continued when Sammy Goforth threw an interception, which was returned for a touchdown by Kirtland’s Will Beers, pushing the score to a daunting 41-0 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Kirtland showed no signs of letting up, with Macguire Boyd breaking free for a remarkable 60-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good, stretching the lead to 48-0. Evan Koprwoski then hauled in a 23-yard touchdown reception, and the extra point was successful, leaving the Mustangs trailing 55-0.

Ultimately, the game ended with a final score of Kirtland Hornets 55 – Grand Valley Mustangs 0. This was a challenging outing for the Mustangs, who now stand at a 2-4 overall record and 0-1 in the CVC Chagrin division. Looking ahead, they will face the Harvey Red Raiders, who hold a 3-3 record (1-0 CVC Chagrin division) in week 7 on the road. The Kirtland Hornets, on the other hand, have a strong 5-1 record (1-0 CVC Chagrin Division) and will also be on the road against the Berkshire Badgers (3-3, 1-0 in CVC Chagrin division) in week 7. The Mustangs will undoubtedly seek to bounce back from this tough loss in their upcoming matchup.

WARRIORS HAVE LONG NIGHT ON THE ROAD

Geneva, OH- In meeting of different play styles that was highly anticipated, the Edgewood Warriors faced off against the Geneva Eagles, resulting in a final score of 49-14 in favor of the Eagles. The game had its moments of excitement and struggle for both teams, making it an eventful contest for the fans.

The first quarter began with Geneva’s Hayden Diemer making a statement with a 29-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful extra point, putting Geneva ahead 7-0 with 7:29 left in the quarter. Unfortunately, things took a turn for Edgewood when Tony Hall threw an interception to Geneva’s Hayden Diemer, who returned it 8 yards for another touchdown. Geneva extended their lead to 14-0 after the successful extra point with 1:31 left in the first quarter.

The second quarter saw more action, with Hayden Diemer scoring his second touchdown of the day on a 5-yard run, increasing Geneva’s lead to 21-0 with 7:30 left. However, Edgewood managed to get on the scoreboard when Tony Hall ran for a 1-yard touchdown, and the extra point was good, making it 21-7 with 5:42 left. Geneva’s Luke Barbo quickly responded with a 70-yard kick return for a touchdown just 3 seconds later, and the extra point was good, putting Geneva ahead 28-7. Luke Smith of Geneva added to the lead with a 47-yard halfback pass to Giovani Rice for another touchdown, and the extra point was successful, giving Geneva a commanding 35-7 lead with 3:21 left in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, Tony Hall connected with Hunter Braat for a 26-yard touchdown pass, and the extra point was good, narrowing the gap to 35-14 with 8:43 left. However, Geneva responded again with Luke Smith’s impressive 65-yard touchdown run, and the extra point extended their lead to 42-14 with 8:15 left in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter sealed the fate of the game when Tony Hall threw another interception, this time to Geneva’s Giovani Rice, who returned it 20 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was good, and the final score stood at 49-14 in favor of the Geneva Eagles.

With this result, the Edgewood Warriors moved to a 4-2 record and will look to bounce back when they host the Madison Blue Streaks (5-1, 0-1 in CVC Lake division) at home in week 7. On the other hand, the Geneva Eagles improved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the CVC Lake division, and they will travel to face the Conneaut Spartans (4-2, 1-0 in CVC Lake division) in week 7. It was a tough loss for the Warriors, but they will regroup and prepare for the challenges ahead in the season

LAKERS RUN GAME MAKES A HUGE SPLASH

Photo Credit: Kelly York Summers

Andover, OH- Hoping to make their homcoming a sweet one, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers clashed with the Southeast Pirates in a high-scoring battle that had fans cheering the whole game. The Lakers displayed their dominance on the ground, led by the dynamic duo of Ryan Croston and Ty Vickery. The final score read Pymatuning Valley Lakers 64 – Southeast Pirates 34, leaving the Lakers with a triumphant victory.

The first quarter saw Pymatuning Valley strike first, as Ryan Croston bulldozed his way into the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful two-point conversion run by Ty Vickery, giving the Lakers an early 8-0 lead. Southeast answered back with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Antonio Mejia to Jack Muldowney, but their two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 8-6 in favor of Pymatuning Valley.

The Lakers continued to pour on the points in the first quarter, with Ryan Croston finding the end zone again on a 7-yard touchdown run, followed by another successful two-point conversion, this time by Ty Vickery, extending their lead to 16-6. Before the quarter ended, Ty Vickery added to the lead with a 5-yard touchdown run and another two-point conversion, making it 24-6 in favor of Pymatuning Valley.

In the second quarter, Ryan Croston broke loose for a spectacular 37-yard touchdown run, and Ty Vickery’s two-point conversion run was good, stretching the lead to 32-6. Southeast fought back with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Antonio Mejia to Case Meyers, and Gavin Bertka’s extra point brought the score to 32-13.

Just before halftime, Ty Vickery found the end zone again with a 2-yard touchdown run, and his two-point conversion run was successful, giving the Lakers a commanding 40-13 lead at the break.

The third quarter saw Southeast’s Antonio Mejia connect with Austin Mejia for a 30-yard touchdown pass, and with the extra point from Gavin Bertka, the score tightened to 40-20. The Pirates continued their comeback efforts in the fourth quarter, with Antonio Mejia throwing a 56-yard touchdown pass to Austin Mejia, and Bertka’s extra point made it 40-27.

But Pymatuning Valley had an answer every time, as Ryan Croston and Ty Vickery continued their dominant performance. Croston’s 8-yard touchdown run and Vickery’s two-point conversion pushed the lead to 48-27. Southeast battled on with Antonio Mejia’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Case Meyers, and Bertka’s extra point cut the deficit to 48-34.

In the waning minutes of the game, Ty Vickery added two more touchdowns to his impressive performance with runs of 44 and 50 yards, along with successful two-point conversions on both occasions, sealing the Lakers’ 64-34 victory.

The Pymatuning Valley Lakers showcased an unstoppable rushing attack, with Ty Vickery leading all rushers with nearly 300 yards on the ground, 4 touchdowns, and 8 two-point conversions. Ryan Croston also had a remarkable game, amassing over 200 yards rushing and contributing 4 touchdowns of his own. Defensively the Lakers were just as impressive with multiple tackles for loss and snagging 3 interceptions including one by Alex Simon who brings his season total to 3.

With this victory, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers improved to 3-3 and are set to begin conference play on the road against the Fairport Harding Skippers (2-4) in week 7. Meanwhile, the Southeast Pirates, with a 5-1 record, will kick off their Portage Trail Conference campaign at home against the St. Thomas Aquinas Knights (0-6) in week 7.

HERALDS FALL IN FINAL MOMENTS AT HOME

Geneva, OH- In an exciting but ultimately heartbreaking ending, the St. John Heralds clashed with the Mathews Mustangs, providing fans with a nail-biting contest that went down to the wire. The final score read St. John Heralds 28, Mathews Mustangs 30, but this game will be remembered for its dramatic twists and explosive plays.

The first quarter set the stage with both teams failing to put points on the board, but the second quarter quickly picked up the pace. St. John’s quarterback, Vin Narducci, connected with Donald Crawford for a 5-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful 2-point conversion to Sully Twining, putting the Heralds ahead 8-0. Narducci struck again with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Will Anderson, though the extra point attempt was unsuccessful, extending their lead to 14-0.

Mathews wasn’t about to let the game slip away, as Dom Spagnoletta found Connor Thompson with a 12-yard touchdown pass, closing the gap to 14-7 just before halftime.

The third quarter proved to be another thrilling chapter in this contest, with Spagnoletta showcasing his versatility, scoring a 15-yard rushing touchdown and securing the extra point to tie the game at 14-14. However, Narducci and Anderson once again proved to be a lethal duo, connecting on a 47-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful 2-point conversion, reclaiming the lead for the Heralds at 22-14.

The fourth quarter unleashed more fireworks, as Mathews’ Trenton Hyde delivered a 45-yard touchdown pass to Spagnoletta, and a successful 2-point conversion knotted the score at 22-22. Then, with just over two minutes remaining, Spagnoletta powered through for a 2-yard rushing touchdown, and the Mustangs converted another 2-point attempt, taking a 30-22 lead.

But the Heralds weren’t finished yet. In a stunning turn of events, Narducci unleashed an 80-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Severino, electrifying the crowd. Although the 2-point conversion failed, the Heralds were back within striking distance at 28-30.

As the clock wound down, Mathews had a chance to seal the game, but St. John’s defense held strong, stopping them on a crucial 4th down turnover on downs at the 30-yard line with just 55 seconds remaining.

Narducci once again displayed his arm strength, connecting on a 40-yard pass igniting the crowd. The Heralds comeback would fall short at the 17-yard line with 33 seconds left when Mathews’ defense held firm, denying St. John on a 4th down attempt with just seconds remaining, securing a heart-pounding 30-28 victory.

In a game defined by explosive plays, Narducci shined brightly with an impressive 340 passing yards and four touchdowns. Anthony Severino, Ryan Williams, and Will Anderson were standout receivers, each amassing over 100 yards in receptions.

With this thrilling contest in the books, the St. John Heralds (2-4) will look to carry their offensive momentum into their upcoming clash with NAC opponent Windham Bombers (2-3) in week 7, while the Mathews Mustangs (1-5) will travel to face the Mineral Ridge Rams (4-1) in what promises to be another exciting matchup. Football fans can’t wait to see what these teams have in store for the rest of the season.

MUSTANGS WIN OVERTIME THRILLER IN HOME OPENER

Orwell, OH- In a matchup that needed overtime to decide the winner, the Grand Valley Mustangs faced off against the Wickliffe Blue Devils in their home opener. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for victory.

The second quarter saw Wickliffe’s Ralph Jackson breaking through the Mustangs’ defense with a 13-yard touchdown run, putting the Blue Devils on the scoreboard with an extra point. The score stood at Grand Valley 0 – Wickliffe 7.

The Mustangs came roaring back in the third quarter, as Bobby Rogers bulldozed his way into the end zone with a 3-yard touchdown run. Sammy Goforth executed a flawless 2-point conversion run, giving Grand Valley the lead at 8 – 7.

But Wickliffe wasn’t to be outdone, with Jimmie Feaster responding with a 3-yard touchdown run of his own in the same quarter, along with a successful extra point. Wickliffe regained the lead at 14 – 8.

The seesaw battle continued, and in the third quarter, Sammy Goforth connected with Aiden Baker on a spectacular 30-yard touchdown pass for the Mustangs. However, the 2-point conversion attempt fell short, leaving the score tied at 14 – 14.

As regulation time ended, the tension in the stadium was palpable. Overtime was upon us, and it was Grand Valley’s Andrew Soltis who emerged as the hero, plunging into the end zone from 1 yard out to secure the thrilling victory for the Mustangs. The final score read Grand Valley 20 – Wickliffe 14.

This victory marked a significant moment for the Grand Valley Mustangs, improving their record to 2-3 and winning their first home game of the year. Looking ahead to week 6, the Mustangs are set to face the formidable Kirtland Hornets (4-1) in the CVC Valley division play at home. Meanwhile, the Wickliffe Blue Devils (1-4) will return home to take on the Trinity Trojans (1-4) as they kick off CVC Metro division play.

 

DRAGONS STRUGGLE AT HOME VS WOLVERINES

Photo Credit: CM Photography

Ashtabula, OH- In a hard-fought battle at Lakeside Stadium, the Lakeside Dragons faced off against the West Geauga Wolverines in an exciting Friday night showdown. From the very start, it was evident that both teams were determined to give their all on the gridiron.

The first quarter saw West Geauga’s Nassir Levy making an impressive 9-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful extra point, putting the Wolverines ahead 7-0. As the clock ticked down, Finn Keenan extended the Wolverines’ lead with a 3-yard touchdown run, securing another extra point for a 14-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Nassir Levy continued to dominate, scoring a 1-yard touchdown run with yet another successful extra point, pushing the lead to 21-0 for West Geauga. The Lakeside Dragons were struggling to find their footing, but the Wolverines’ defense remained relentless.

The third quarter saw Nassir Levy finding the end zone once more, this time with an 8-yard touchdown run, and the extra point was good, extending West Geauga’s lead to a commanding 28-0.

However, the Lakeside Dragons refused to back down. In the fourth quarter, Nate Bartone broke through West Geauga’s defense with a 13-yard touchdown run. Although the 2-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, Lakeside finally got on the board, trailing 28-6.

The Dragons continued their resurgence with Alex DiSalvatore scoring a 5-yard touchdown run, but once again, the 2-point conversion fell short, making the score 28-12 in favor of West Geauga.

In the waning minutes of the game, Nassir Levy sealed the victory for the Wolverines with a 4-yard touchdown run, securing the extra point and bringing the final score to 35-12 in favor of West Geauga.

Despite the loss, the Lakeside Dragons showed resilience and determination, and they will look to bounce back as they face the Madison Blue Streaks in their upcoming CVC Lake Division matchup in week 6. Meanwhile, the West Geauga Wolverines will hit the road to take on the Hawken Hawks in their CVC Chagrin Division opener, hoping to build on their hard-earned victory.

FALCONS STRUGGLE AGAINST LONGHORNS

Jefferson, OH- In a challenging matchup against the Lutheran West Longhorns, the Jefferson Falcons faced a tough battle on the gridiron. The game started with Lutheran West’s Jalany Theodore connecting with Xavier Vizcarrondo for a 38-yard touchdown pass, setting the tone for the Longhorns. They successfully converted the extra point, taking an early 7-0 lead.

Jefferson quickly responded, with Kaige Boczar breaking free for a spectacular 44-yard touchdown run. Unfortunately, the extra point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 7-6 in favor of Lutheran West. However, the Longhorns continued to assert their dominance, as Kendrick Boddie added another touchdown with a 14-yard run, and Theodore found Greg Fuentes for a 36-yard touchdown pass, both accompanied by successful extra point attempts. This propelled Lutheran West to a commanding 21-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Longhorns extended their lead in the second quarter when Kendrick Bodie rushed for a 20-yard touchdown, and once again, the extra point was good. By halftime, the score stood at 28-6 in favor of Lutheran West.

In the third quarter, Kendrick Boddie added another touchdown to his impressive tally with a 4-yard run, and the extra point was converted, making it 35-6 in favor of the Longhorns.

The fourth quarter saw Lutheran West’s Jalany Theodore connecting with Jamyan Theodore for a 13-yard touchdown pass, with the extra point adding to their lead. However, Jefferson managed to find the end zone one more time when Kaige Boczar broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run, and this time the extra point was successful. Despite the late effort, the final score favored Lutheran West with a convincing 42-13 victory.

With this result, the Jefferson Falcons (0-5) will now shift their focus to hosting the Conneaut Spartans (3-2) as they kick off conference play in the CVC Lake Division for week 6. Meanwhile, the Lutheran West Longhorns (3-2) will be heading on the road to face the Perry Pirates (5-0) in week 6, as they begin their campaign in the CVC Chagrin Division

WARRIORS WEAR OUT TIGERS

East Ashtabula, OH- Coming off a tough loss in week 4, the Edgewood Warriors secured a resounding victory over the Chagrin Falls Tigers with a final score of 40-0.

The game kicked off with a touchdown by Edgewood’s Zeke Lucas, who powered through for a 1-yard run, setting the tone early on. The extra point was successful, giving Edgewood a 7-0 lead. Edgewood continued to steamroll through the first quarter when Tony Hall added another 1-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful extra point, extending their lead to 14-0.

The second quarter saw no respite for Chagrin Falls, as Anthony Hunt found the end zone with an 11-yard rushing touchdown, and Seth Enos contributed a 16-yard touchdown run. Both extra points were good, leaving the Tigers trailing significantly at 28-0 going into halftime.

Edgewood showed no signs of letting up in the third quarter. Tony Hall connected with Riley Baldwin on a 38-yard pass for yet another touchdown, although the extra point was missed. The Warriors continued to dominate with Seth Enos’s 11-yard touchdown run, though the extra point again went wide.

With a commanding 40-0 lead, Edgewood sealed the game in the fourth quarter. Tony Hall emerged as the standout player, accumulating 155 passing yards and a touchdown, 101 rushing yards and another touchdown, while also making an interception on defense.

This impressive win improved the Edgewood Warriors’ record to 4-1, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated clash with the undefeated Geneva Eagles in week 6. Meanwhile, the Chagrin Falls Tigers, now standing at 2-3, will face off against the Orange Lions in their next matchup. The Edgewood Warriors have surely left their mark on the field, demonstrating their strength and determination in this commanding victory.