EYE OF THE TIGER, WELLSVILLE KNOCKS OUT EP

WELLSVILLE, OH – No opponent on the Wellsville schedule this year has kicked off to Justin Wright – and for good reason. Wright is the defending OHSAA Division III 100m state champion. Tonight, the East
Palestine Bulldogs decided to be the first to kick to the speedster – and they reminded the rest of the
state of Ohio why that strategy should be avoided. Wright took the opening kickoff 80 yards to pay dirt
to put the Tigers up 6-0 just 11 seconds into the opening frame. Casey Lemasters added the extra point,
and the Tigers never looked back on their way to a 67-13 victory on homecoming night.

On the Bulldogs opening drive, senior do-it-all receiver/defensive back Darien Suggs recorded
his 6th interception of the season – and his 3 rd for a touchdown – to put the Tigers up 14-0 within the first two minutes of the game. Nine Tigers would score points for Wellsville on the evening. Joining Wright were Seniors Jason Tice, Justin Sarge, Gary Wilson, and Suggs. Junior quarterback Troy Carter threw a touchdown pass, and also ran for one, while Lemasters went 7 for 7 on extra points. Sophomore QB Valen Krzyston took a QB keeper 95 yards for the only score of the second half for the Tigers, and
freshman Isaiah Greathouse also added a score for the orange and black.

For the Bulldogs, senior QB Dominic Cathers found a hole and scored on an 80-yard touchdown
run in the first half. Sophomore Tyler Bistarkey also found the end zone in the third quarter to cap off
scoring on the evening for the Bulldogs.

Wellsville defensive end/tight end Draven Crow received YSN player of the game honors. The
senior recorded multiple sacks, tackles for loss, and fumble recoveries for the Tigers. Crow also recorded 30+ yards on the ground for the Tigers offense. The defensive specialist has had multiple sacks/tackles for loss in every game this season for the Tigers.

Next week, Wellsville – who sat in 2nd place in division 7, region 25 before tonight’s game – head
to Hanoverton to face the United Eagles and start their most difficult stretch of the season, while East Palestine still searches for their first win as they host the undefeated Southern Local Indians. Both
games can be heard on YSN.

*Abigail Cline was crowned homecoming queen tonight for the Tigers.

*Story contributed by The Voice of Wellsville Athletics, Gary Althiser