RED DEVILS HOLD OFF MUSTANGS

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STORY BY TYLER HARTZ:

Orwell, OH- This game got off to a slow start as both teams exchanged punts in the first quarter, we finally got our first piece of action in the second quarter where Sammy Goforth (#7) recovered a fumble setting up Grand Valley inside the 10-yard line. Just a few plays later John Foss-Peters (#13) was able to punch the ball in from the 1-yard line giving the Mustangs an early lead, 7-0 against Crestwood. The Red Devils would respond instantly with a 67-yard reception, as quarterback Charlie Summer (#3) found receiver Wyatt Januska (#4) in the endzone, and the Red Devils went for the 2pt conversion with a hand off to running back Nate Blasiole. At halftime the Red Devils led 8-7.

A few minutes had passed in the second half, but Grand Valley was back on the board, when John Foss-Peters found the back of the endzone again on a 3-yard run with the 2-point conversion being no good. The Mustangs had the lead 13-8, only for Wyatt Januska (#4) to take the following kickoff 75 yards to the house for a quick answer, and that put the Red Devils back up top 14-13. However, Grand Valley wasn’t done in the 3rd quarter, running back Andrew Soltis (#26) scored off a 6-yard rush, with the 2-point conversion being successful, scored by Aidan Baker.

With 9:31 left in the 4th quarter Crestwood brought receiver Wyatt Januska (#4) on a jet sweep to the right, where he found launched the ball down field to brother A.J Januska (#8) for a 43-yard touchdown pass and the 2-point conversion was successful, scored by Bryce Giel (#6). With the score now 22-21 in favor of Crestwood, Grand Valley was moving the ball downfield, when they were faced with a 4th and long. The Mustangs were lined up in punt formation, the ball was snapped, and Sammy Goforth (#7) took off running left, when Aidan Baker (#21) got open, and Goforth (#7) delivered a beautiful pass on 4th down to keep the drive alive. The same drive Goforth (#7) found senior wide receiver Jerry Schultz on a 16-yard reception give put the Mustangs back up top, 27-22 with the 2-point conversion being no good. Crestwood then got the ball back and was able to waste enough time on the clock before running back Nate Blasiole (#2) found the back of the endzone on a 6-yard run and giving Crestwood the lead 28-27. Grand Valley had one more drive, but failed to convert on 4th and 10, they turned the ball over and Crestwood kneeled the ball to end the game.

WARRIORS LOCK IN PLAYOFFS,RECORDS, AND BRIDGE IN RIVALRY WIN

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Edgewood, OH- In a rivalry game for the ages, the Edgewood Warriors emerged victorious against the Lakeside Dragons with a final score of 38-20. The Warriors (6-4, 2-3 CVC Lake Division) secured their spot in the OHSAA playoffs for the second consecutive year, while the Dragons (4-6, 2-3 CVC Lake Division) saw their season come to an end as they were mathematically eliminated from the postseason.

The game got off to a promising start for Edgewood in the first quarter, with Samuel Linder kicking a 12-yard field goal, giving the Warriors an early 3-0 lead. Edgewood continued to dominate as Zeke Lucas dashed for a 12-yard touchdown run, and Tony Hall connected with Jacob Ernst for a spectacular 67-yard touchdown pass. With successful extra points, the Warriors led 17-0.

Lakeside began to mount a comeback in the second quarter, with Nate Bartone scoring a 4-yard touchdown run and Devan Miller adding a 2-yard touchdown run, but their two-point conversion attempts fell short. This narrowed the gap to 17-12 in favor of Edgewood.

The third quarter saw a dramatic turn of events as Tony Hall, who had a standout night, threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Lakeside’s Matt Wagner. A successful two-point conversion gave Lakeside a 20-17 lead. However, Edgewood quickly regained the advantage as Tony Hall found Jacob Ernst with a 43-yard touchdown pass, putting the Warriors ahead 24-20.

In the fourth quarter, Hunter Braat intercepted Lakeside’s Alex DiSalvatore, providing Edgewood with a crucial defensive play. With the clock ticking down, Tony Hall showcased his skills once again, throwing a 45-yard touchdown pass to Riley Baldwin. The extra point was good, extending Edgewood’s lead to 31-20. Zeke Lucas put the icing on the cake with a 49-yard touchdown run, and the extra point made it 38-20, sealing the victory for the Warriors.

Tony Hall emerged as the star of the game, passing for three touchdowns and over 200 yards. With his performance, Hall became the Ashtabula County all-time single-season leader in both passing yards and touchdowns, with over 2,400 yards and 31 touchdowns. The previous records of 2,365 yards (held by Edgewood’s Zach Winchell in 2020) and 29 touchdown passes (set by Jefferson’s Lucas Hitchcock in 2014) were surpassed, cementing Hall’s place in both Edgewood’s and Ashtabula’s  football history.

With this exciting win, the Edgewood Warriors look forward to the OHSAA playoffs and a potential matchup against the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals. Congratulations to the Edgewood Warriors for their impressive victory and Tony Hall for his record-breaking performance!

DRAGONS TURN UP HEAT AGAINST SPARTANS

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Photo Credit: CM Photography

Ashtabula, OH- In their final home game of the season, the Lakeside Dragons soared to a resounding victory against the Conneaut Spartans with a final score of 30-6. The Dragons started the game with a fiery determination that would set the tone for the evening.

The first quarter saw Lakeside’s tall and agile quarterback, Alex DiSalvatore, make an explosive 23-yard touchdown run, setting the crowd ablaze with excitement. A successful two-point conversion added a stamp to the drive, giving Lakeside an early 8-0 lead.

The second quarter was no different, with Lakeside’s Nate Bartone bulldozing his way into the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown run. Once again, the Dragons successfully converted for two additional points, further extending their lead to 16-0.

As the game progressed into the third quarter, Conneaut’s Max Gleason managed to score a 2-yard touchdown run, finally getting the Spartans on the board. However, their two-point conversion attempt fell short, leaving the score at 16-6 in favor of Lakeside.

Lakeside was far from finished, though, as Devan Miller electrified the crowd with a breathtaking 67-yard touchdown run. Another successful two-point conversion left the score at 24-6, firmly solidifying the Dragons’ dominance.

In the fourth quarter, Nate Bartone once again demonstrated his prowess by scoring a 10-yard touchdown run. Although the two-point conversion was unsuccessful this time, the Dragons maintained a comfortable lead of 30-6.

With the final whistle, Lakeside celebrated a resounding victory, improving their record to 4-5 and 2-2 in the CVC Lake Division. Their sights are now set on the “Battle for the Bridge” in Week 10, where they will face their crosstown rivals, the Edgewood Warriors. This match holds significant importance, as the winner will secure a better playoff position in the OHSAA state football playoffs.

The Conneaut Spartans, with a 5-4 record and a 2-2 standing in the CVC Lake Division, will take on the Madison Blue Streaks in Week 10. The Spartans have already secured their playoff spot and now aim for a home game in the first round with a victory over Madison.

Lakeside’s backfield powerhouse, Nate Bartone, was the star of the night, rushing for over 100 yards and contributing two crucial touchdowns to the team’s impressive victory. The Dragons now look forward to their next challenge, while fans eagerly anticipate “The Battle for the Bridge” and the thrilling football action that lies ahead.

WARRIORS RECLAIM HOADLEY CUP IN WIN OVER FALCONS

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Jefferson, OH- Hoping to bounce back from a 3 game skid, the Edgewood Warriors showcased their strength and precision on the gridiron, securing a resounding victory against the Jefferson Falcons. The final score: Edgewood 54, Jefferson 7.

The game got off to a scorching start in the first quarter when Tony Hall, Edgewood’s star quarterback, displayed his precision with a 30-yard pass to Zach Carlton-Hull. The Edgewood faithful erupted as the tackle was made at the 2-yard line. Just moments later, Hall punched it in from 1 yard out, and Samuel Linder’s extra point was good, giving Edgewood an early 7-0 lead.

Hall continued to shine as he connected with his receivers for three more touchdowns in the first quarter alone. A 27-yard strike to Hunter Braat, a magnificent 50-yard bomb to Ben Schwartfigure, and another 1-yard toss to Jacob Ernst all found their mark, putting Edgewood up 21-0.

The second quarter saw no respite for Jefferson, as Hall and Ernst connected again for a 1-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 28-0. A missed extra point briefly halted the Warriors’ scoring spree, but they maintained a commanding 34-0 advantage.

Jefferson managed to find the end zone in the third quarter, as Kaige Boczar scored on a 7-yard run, making it 34-7 in favor of Edgewood. However, the Warriors promptly responded with Hall and Ernst connecting once more, stretching their lead to 41-7.

In the final quarter, Zeke Lucas broke free for an impressive 81-yard touchdown run, and Edgewood continued their showcase. Hall closed out his phenomenal performance with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Hunt, bringing the score to 54-7.

With this victory, the Edgewood Warriors improved to a 5-4 record and 1-3 in the CVC Lake Division. The team now prepares for the highly-anticipated “Battle for Bridge” against crosstown rivals, the Lakeside Dragons, in week 10. This clash carries added significance as both teams vie for  spots in the OHSAA playoffs in their respective divisions.

On the other side, the Jefferson Falcons faced a tough loss and are still searching for their first win this season with an 0-9 record and 0-4 in the CVC Lake Division. They will go on the road to challenge the formidable Geneva Eagles, who boast an 8-1 record and a perfect 4-0 division record.

Notably, Tony Hall emerged as the standout performer of the day, contributing a remarkable seven touchdowns to Edgewood’s victory. With this win, the Edgewood Warriors also reclaimed the Hoadley Cup, ending the Jefferson Falcons’ two-year reign over the coveted trophy.

BADGERS TAKE DOWN MUSTANGS

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Story by Tyler Hartz:

Burton, OH- The Berkshire Badgers wasted no time getting on the board, scoring at the 7-minute mark when Quarterback Miles Miller (#8) found the back of the endzone on a designed quarterback keeper. Just three minutes later Miller (#8) delivered a strike to wide receiver Mason Mendolera (#24) for a 7-yard touchdown. Two minutes later, on the first play of the Badgers third drive, Miller (#8) found wide receiver Jack Hastings (#5) open in the endzone on a hookup of 39 yards for the Badgers third score of the quarter putting them up 21-0 in 10 minutes of play. The Mustangs had little to no answer for the Badgers the entire game.
To start the second quarter Mustangs quarterback Sammy Goforth (#7) threw an interception and it was picked off by Paul Brent (#84) to give the Badgers the ball back to start the second quarter. The following drive, the Badgers found paydirt again as Miller (#8) found Jack Hastings again for a 12-yard touchdown, the PAT was no good and the Badgers led 27-0 with 10:25 remaining in the second quarter. Later in the quarter, Miller (#8) wasted no time finding the endzone again for his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run, the PAT was no good. Going into halftime the Badgers led 33-0.
Things for the Mustangs got worse in the second half, Berkshire running back Justin Phillips (#4) scored on an 8-yard run to put the Badgers up 40-0.
For the remainder of the game, both teams traded blows, but the game stayed 40-0 in favor of the Badgers of Berkshire.
Next week Grand Valley will be playing back at home week 10 against the Crestwood Red Devils, and the Berkshire Badgers will be traveling to Jack Britt Memorial stadium to take on the Harvey Red Raiders.

LAKERS GRAB FIFTH CONSECUTIVE NAC CHAMPIONSHIP IN WIN OVER HERALDS

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Photo Credit: Joclyn Nicholas Photography

Andover, OH- Trying to finish strong, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers (6-3, 3-0 NAC) asserted their authority over the St. John Heralds (3-6, 1-3 NAC) in a commanding 60-6 victory, securing their fifth consecutive NAC championship. This game was a testament to the Lakers’ unwavering dedication to their powerful rushing attack, led by the dynamic duo of Ty Vickery and Ryan Croston.

The Lakers wasted no time in setting the tone for the game, with Ryan Croston making a statement early in the first quarter. Croston’s 13-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful 2-point conversion, put Pymatuning Valley on the board at 8-0. Moments later, Vin Narducci of St. John felt the heat of the Lakers’ defense, throwing an interception to Jayce Fulkman. Within moments, Croston was back in the end zone with a 5-yard touchdown run, and the Lakers extended their lead to 16-0.

Despite a brief interception from Croston, the Lakers continued their offensive onslaught with Ty Vickery’s 4-yard touchdown run, although the 2-point conversion was unsuccessful, making the score 22-0. Before the end of the first quarter, Croston connected with Matthew Adkins for a 6-yard touchdown pass, and with another 2-point conversion, the Lakers ended the first quarter with a commanding 30-0 lead.

The Lakers continued their relentless charge into the second quarter, as Ty Vickery scored another touchdown with a 5-yard run, and the 2-point conversion was good, extending their lead to 38-0. Vickery struck again with a 7-yard touchdown run, making it 44-0.

In the third quarter, Croston exhibited his explosive speed with a 48-yard touchdown run, and Ben Crouser successfully converted the 2-point attempt. Jayce Fulkman joined the scoring parade with a 28-yard touchdown run, and the Lakers continued to dominate with a 60-0 lead.

In the fourth quarter, the St. John Heralds managed to avoid a shutout when Ryan Williams scored a 1-yard touchdown run with only 29 seconds left on the clock, but time expired before they could attempt the extra point.

With this convincing victory, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers not only secured their NAC championship but also secured their spot in the OHSAA state playoffs. Their playoff journey promises to be exciting, and their fans can look forward to the prospect of a 1st round game against the Labrae Vikings with a loss to Windham, or a week 1 rematch against Mineral Ridge in the first round with a win over Windham. The Lakers’ commitment to their running game, exemplified by Ty Vickery and Ryan Croston, was the driving force behind this triumph. As the Lakers head into Week 10, they continue to be a force to be reckoned with, while the St. John Heralds will regroup for their upcoming matchup against the Lincoln West Wolverines.

LAKERS RUSHING RAMPAGE CONTINUES PAST MUSTANGS

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Photo Credit: Kelly Summers

Andover, OH- In a dominating performance, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers left no doubt on the field as they clashed with the Mathews Mustangs. From the very beginning, it was clear that the Lakers were on a mission to secure victory.

The 1st quarter saw Ty Vickery taking charge with an 8-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful 2-point conversion, putting Pymatuning Valley ahead 8-0. But they weren’t done yet. Ryan Croston connected with Ty Vickery for a spectacular 49-yard touchdown pass, and once again, the 2-point conversion was successful, extending the lead to 16-0.

The 2nd quarter continued to be a showcase of Pymatuning Valley’s dominance. Ty Vickery bulldozed his way into the end zone with a 4-yard touchdown run, followed by another successful 2-point conversion, making it 24-0. Ryan Croston decided to showcase his speed with a stunning 64-yard touchdown run, and yes, you guessed it, another successful 2-point conversion, bringing the score to 32-0. Ty Vickery continued to add to his impressive performance with a 2-yard touchdown run and, of course, a 2-point conversion to make it 40-0.

As if that weren’t enough, the 3rd quarter saw Ty Vickery break away for a jaw-dropping 49-yard touchdown run, once again followed by a successful 2-point conversion, making it 48-0. The Lakers were relentless, and the Mustangs had no answers.

In the end, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers emerged victorious with a resounding 48-0 scoreline. The Lakers’ dynamic rushing duo of Ryan Croston and Ty Vickery stole the show, with both players finding the end zone multiple times. With this incredible performance, they’re inching closer to the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season.

The Pymatuning Valley Lakers (5-3, 2-0 NAC) continue to impress and will host the St. John Heralds (3-5, 1-2 NAC) in week 9, where they’ll look to keep their momentum going. Meanwhile, the Mathews Mustangs (1-7, 1-1 NAC) will have to regroup as they prepare to face the Windham Bombers (2-6, 1-2 NAC) at home in week 9. The Lakers are riding high, and their fans have every reason to be excited about what’s to come.

HERALDS FALL TO SKIPPERS IN RAINY NAC BATTLE

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Geneva, OH- In a rain-soaked battle at the Spire in Geneva, the Fairport Harding Skippers managed to outlast the Heralds with a final score of 12-0. The heavy downpour proved to be a significant factor in the game, as both teams struggled to effectively pass the ball throughout the match.

The first quarter saw Fairport’s James Gadomski connecting with Yomar Castellano on a 25-yard touchdown pass, giving the Skippers an early lead of 6-0. Unfortunately, Fairport couldn’t convert the two-point conversion, leaving the score at 6-0.

As the second quarter was winding down, Gadomski made a costly mistake, throwing an interception to St. John’s Anthony Severino. This turnover gave the Heralds a glimmer of hope, but they couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity, and the score remained 6-0 heading into halftime.

The game continued to be a defensive struggle in the third quarter, with both teams battling through the slippery field conditions. However, in the fourth quarter, Fairport’s Castellano managed to break through, scoring on an 8-yard touchdown run, extending the Skippers’ lead to 12-0.

Both teams’ defenses played exceptionally well, preventing any big plays and keeping the score relatively low. Ultimately, the final score stood at 12-0 in favor of the Fairport Harding Skippers.

With this win, the Skippers improved their record to 3-5 overall and 2-1 in the NAC. Meanwhile, the St. John Heralds fell to 3-5 overall and 1-2 in the NAC. Looking ahead, the Heralds will face a tough road matchup against the Pymatuning Valley Lakers (5-3, 2-0 NAC) who boast one of the best rushing offenses in the conference in week 9. On the other hand, the Skippers will play a non-conference game at home against the Jackson Milton Bluejays (6-2) in their upcoming week 9 clash. Both teams will be eager to build on their performances in this hard-fought contest as they continue their season.

SPARTANS PROTECT THEIR HOME AGAINST RIVAL WARRIORS

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Photo Credit: Noelle Nunes

Conneaut, OH- In another meeting between 2 of Ashtabula County’s oldest rivals, the Conneaut Spartans clashed with the Edgewood Warriors in a high-stakes matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats. It was a game that showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, but in the end, the Conneaut Spartans emerged victorious with a final score of 27-24.

The first quarter set the tone for the game, with Conneaut’s Max Gleason bulldozing his way into the end zone with a powerful 7-yard touchdown run. Unfortunately, the PAT was no good, putting Conneaut ahead 6-0. However, Edgewood responded swiftly as Tony Hall orchestrated a 1-yard TD run, and Samuel Linder’s extra point was good, giving Edgewood the lead at 7-6. The momentum swings continued as Conneaut’s Wyatt Payne electrified the crowd with an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and Bryce Spurlin’s extra point was successful, putting Conneaut back in the lead at 13-7. Just minutes later, Edgewood’s Tony Hall connected with Jacob Ernst for a 35-yard touchdown pass, and the extra point was good, giving Edgewood a narrow 14-13 lead to end the first quarter.

The second quarter saw both teams fighting tooth and nail. Max Gleason bulldozed his way into the end zone again, this time with a 2-yard TD run, and Spurlin’s extra point was good, putting Conneaut up 20-14. But Edgewood wasn’t going down without a fight, and Samuel Linder nailed a 30-yard field goal with just three seconds left in the half, cutting Conneaut’s lead to 20-17 at halftime.

The third quarter remained scoreless, as both defenses stepped up their game, refusing to yield any ground. It was a true battle of wills.

The fourth quarter, however, would prove decisive. With 9:05 left on the clock, Max Gleason powered his way into the end zone for the third time, this time with a 2-yard touchdown run, and the extra point was good, extending Conneaut’s lead to 27-17. Edgewood wasn’t ready to give up, as Tony Hall once again connected with Jacob Ernst, this time on a 30-yard touchdown pass, and the extra point was good, closing the gap to 27-24.

In the end, the Conneaut Spartans managed to hold onto their lead and secure the hard-fought victory. With this win, they improved their record to 5-3, with a 2-1 standing in the CVC Lake Division. Meanwhile, Edgewood’s Tony Hall continued to shine, setting a school record with his 21st and 22nd touchdown passes of the season, despite the loss. The Edgewood Warriors moved to 4-4 on the season, with a 0-3 standing in the CVC Lake Division.

Looking ahead, the Conneaut Spartans will face off against the Lakeside Dragons in week 9, while the Edgewood Warriors will take on the Jefferson Falcons. With the season heating up, fans can expect more thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments on the gridiron.

HUSKIES WRANGLE MUSTANGS ON HOMECOMING

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Story contributed by YSN’s Tyler Hartz

Orwell, OH-  The Grand Valley Mustangs played host to the Cardinal Huskies for their homecoming game. The first quarter began with Grand Valley turning the ball over on downs, inside Husky territory. However, the Huskies found the endzone in the first two plays of their drive coming from a 73-yard touchdown reception from Reese Soltis (#22), the PAT by Landon Gallagher (#5) was good.

The following drive the Mustangs drove the ball down the field and capitalized as Quarterback Sammy Goforth (#7) found running back John Foss-Peters (#13) on a 5-yard screen play to answer back, however for the Mustangs, the 2-point conversion was unsuccessful.

Both teams traded blows to start the second quarter, Grand Valley forced a turnover at the 6:21 mark, where Connor Sullivan jumped on the loose ball. Only for Grand Valley to give the ball right back the very next play where Troy Domen intercepted the ball, and the Huskies scored the following drive where Quarterback Logan Strever (#6) took off out of the pocket and scored a 10-yard touchdown. The following drive for the Mustangs, Aidan Gallagher (#1) got in on the action as he intercepted the ball giving the Huskies the ball back with 1:33 remaining before halftime. The Huskies offense was dialed in as Aidan Gallagher (#1) found the endzone on a 23-yard reception to give the Huskies the lead 21-6 going into halftime.

Coming out to start the second half the Huskies wasted no time finding the endzone, as Logan Strever (#6) found receiver Aidan Gallagher (#1) again for his second score of the game off another 23-yard reception to give the Huskies the 28-6 lead. 

During the 4th quarter of action, running back Kyle Sinclair (#11) got right to work as he found himself in the endzone on two separate occasions. Two rushing touchdowns, one off a 4-yard rush and the second being an 18-yard rush. Kicker Landon Gallagher was able to bury all his PAT attempts (6/6) to bring the final score to 42-6 during tonight’s matchup.

Next week the Grand Valley Mustangs (2-6, 0-3 CVC Valley Division) will travel to Burton, OH to take on the Berkshire Badgers during week 9. During week 8 play, the Badgers came out on top against the Crestwood Red Devils by a final score of 35-24, moving them to 4-4 on the season and 2-1 in conference play.