Tag Archive for: Austintown Fitch

FALCONS DEFENSE HOLDS STRONG

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By Ty Bartell

 

PAINESVILLE, OH — The Austintown Fitch Falcons improved to 4-0 with a dominant defensive performance, defeating the Painesville Riverside Beavers 17-3 at Riverside Stadium.

The Falcons opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run by Davanzo Tate III midway through the first quarter, followed by a successful PAT from Anthony Ruggles. Painesville Riverside responded late in the quarter with a 38-yard field goal by Leo D’Astolfo, narrowing the gap to 7-3.

The game remained a defensive battle through the second quarter, with neither team able to put up points. In the third quarter, Austintown Fitch extended their lead when Deon’Dray Richard ran for a 7-yard touchdown, capping a 65-yard drive. Ruggles’ extra point pushed the score to 14-3.

Austintown’s defense held Painesville Riverside scoreless for the remainder of the game, stifling their offense with five sacks and forcing two turnovers. Ruggles added a 44-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to seal the Falcons’ victory.

The Falcons outgained Painesville Riverside with 234 total yards compared to the Beavers’ 193. Painesville Riverside struggled to establish their rushing attack, netting just 78 yards on the ground. Despite 113 rushing yards from Kyndall McCaleb, the Beavers were unable to break through Austintown’s stout defensive front.

Austintown Fitch’s balanced offensive approach saw Richard rush for 57 yards and a touchdown, while Tate added 21 yards on the ground. Tate also threw for 99 yards, completing 13 of 20 passes. Brady Evans led the receiving corps with eight receptions for 49 yards.

With the win, Austintown Fitch remains undefeated at 4-0, while Painesville Riverside falls to 1-3. The Falcons will look to continue their winning streak as they head into the heart of their schedule with their next game, in Akron, against The Buchtel Griffins (1-2) on Saturday, September 21st with a 1 p.m. kickoff

FALCONS STILL PERCHED ON TOP

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HOWLAND OH- Austintown Fitch kept their hot streak alive in the AAC, sweeping Howland in three competitive sets (25-20, 25-20, 25-21).

Rylie Simons dished out 33 assists and added 7 digs to fuel the Falcons’ attack. Kylie Folkwein had a big night with 17 kills and 10 digs, while Morgan Roby chipped in with 8 kills and 14 digs. Senior Katie Wilt finished with 8 kills and 11 digs, and fellow senior Izzy DiRenzo anchored the defense with 15 digs and served up 2 aces.

For Howland, Maya Kubancsek led the team with 10 kills and 20 digs, while Sianna Dykes added 9 kills and 3 blocks. Talia Rishel handed out 21 assists, and Lily Day tallied 12 digs and 10 service points, with Michelina Wayt adding an ace.

Fitch will step out of conference play on Monday when they host Mineral Ridge, while Howland looks to bounce back Tuesday on the road at Boardman.

WEEK 3 YSN FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS ARE RELEASED

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COLUMBIANA, OH-Week 3 of high school football in our local leagues showed some serious shuffling in the power rankings, turning what we thought we knew on its head. Let’s dive into the major movers and shakers as we break down the shifts from Week 2 to Week 3.

Major Climbers:
– Austintown Fitch rockets to the top spot this week! Moving up from the third place in Week 2, Fitch’s flawless 3-0 record has them sitting pretty as the new leader.
– West Branch and Struthers are also making headlines. West Branch, in a significant leap, moved from the fifth spot to the second, showing they’re not just participants but serious contenders. Struthers, not far behind, slipped from the second to third but remain strong in the top tier.
– Poland, another team to watch, jumped from the seventh place straight into the fourth. Their perfect start to the season signals they might just be getting started.

On the Rise:
– LaBrae and Hubbard both climbed a spot, hinting at their steady progress. LaBrae’s jump from seventh to sixth and Hubbard’s from eighth to seventh may seem small, but in the competitive grind, every little bit counts.
– Pymatuning Valley made an interesting hop from the 20th spot to 14th, suggesting some under-the-radar strengths that are starting to surface.

Top Ten Tussles:
– The top ten is a mixed bag with teams like South Range and Lakeview holding firm but still feeling the heat from teams like Windham and Western Reserve, who are pushing the envelope and looking to disrupt the established order.

Teams Facing Tough Times:
– Garrettsville Garfield saw a notable dip, dropping from third to 16th, which might spur them to push harder in the upcoming games.
– Hoban also saw a significant slide, moving from 15th to out of the top 20 altogether. It’s a surprising turn for a team that’s used to being a powerhouse.

East Palestine finds itself in the top 25 after a convincing win over Bridgeport, while Crestview‘s dominant performance over United also finds itself on the board in the third edition.

This week has definitely stirred the pot and set the stage for some fiery matchups ahead. With teams moving up and down the ladder, it’s clear that in high school football, every game is a chance to rewrite the script. As we look towards Week 4, keep your eyes peeled—this season is proving to be anything but predictable!

WEEK 3 YSN FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS

 

  1. Austintown Fitch
  2. West Branch
  3. Struthers
  4. Poland
  5. Lakeview
  6. South Range
  7. LaBrae
  8. Hubbard
  9. Perry
  10. Windham
  11. Western Reserve
  12. Orange
  13. Boardman
  14. Pymatuning Valley
  15. Archbishop Hoban
  16. Garrettsville Garfield
  17. Warren JFK
  18. Ursuline
  19. Youngstown East
  20. Beaver (PA)
  21. Crestview
  22. Waterloo
  23. Girard
  24. Jackson Milton
  25. East Palestine

BUBBLE WATCH: Campbell Memorial, United, McDonald, Lisbon, Edison, Valley Christian

WEEK 3 YSN VOLLEYBALL POWER RANKINGS RELEASED

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COLUMBIANA, OH- As we roll into Week 3 of the high school volleyball season, the latest power rankings have tossed us a few curveballs, showing which teams are finding their stride and which ones are still figuring things out. Let’s break down the shifts and shakes in this week’s standings.

At the very top, Hoban holds steady at number one, a testament to their continued dominance on the field. However, the real shakeup starts right after them. West Branch has made a massive leap from 12th all the way to 2nd, knocking Girard down to 4th. This jump is a clear signal that West Branch isn’t just here to play; they’re here to challenge the throne.

Lakeview, previously in 5th, has nudged up to 3rd, showing a consistency that’s starting to pay dividends, while Canfield has shot up from 14th to 5th, possibly finding the rhythm they were missing early on.

Beaver Local and Crestview both made positive strides, with Beaver stepping up to 6th from 15th and Crestview moving slightly from 4th to 7th. East Liverpool remains in the game, adjusting slightly from 7th to 8th.

The middle of the pack saw significant rearrangement. Garfield slipped from 3rd to 9th, perhaps feeling the sting of a tough matchup or two, while Fitch climbed a few steps from 13th to 10th. Jefferson and Columbiana made modest climbs, but the real talk might be about Mooney, which slid from 9th down to 13th, signaling some on- court struggles that need quick fixes.

Lower down, McDonald holds relatively steady, as do LaBrae and St John, but Edgewood and Hubbard are looking to regain some earlier ground they lost, showing slight improvements in their game strategies.

New entrants to the top 25, like Heartland Christian and Pymatuning Valley, are stirring up the mix, proving that every game week is a chance to climb the ladder or risk sliding down.

WEEK 3 VOLLEYBALL POWER RANKINGS

1  Archbishop Hoban
2  West Branch
3  Lakeview
4  Girard
5  Canfield
6  Beaver Local
7  Crestview
8  East Liverpool
9  Garfield
10 Austintown Fitch
11 Jefferson
12 Columbiana
13 Cardinal Mooney
14 McDonald
15 LaBrae
16 St John
17 Edgewood
18 Hubbard
19 Lakeside
20 Perry
21 Howland
22 Champion
23 Boardman
24 Heartland Christian
25 Pymatuning Valley

YSN FOOTBALL POWER RANKNIGS – WEEK 2

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COLUMBIANA, OH- With a couple of weeks under our belts, the local high school football scene is shaping up to be as unpredictable and thrilling as ever. Let’s dive into the latest power rankings that are stirring up the pot and setting the stage for some intense gridiron battles.

Topping the charts this week, we have Perry and Struthers neck-and-neck, both boasting a perfect 2-0 record and scoring more than 6 points in the computer rankings. They’re followed closely by Austintown Fitch and Beaver (PA), proving that their hot starts aren’t just flukes but the result of some serious fieldwork.

West Branch and Lakeview, each sitting pretty at 2-0, aren’t far behind, showcasing that consistency and solid gameplay can keep you in the hunt. Meanwhile, Poland Seminary is tying up with Lakeview, adding a bit of intrigue to the mix.

Interestingly, Western Reserve and Warren JFK, while not unbeaten, have shown they can throw down with the best, their lower game counts not yet reflecting their potential on the field.

South Range, sitting at ninth with a 2-0 standing but a lower computer point tally, might be feeling a bit underappreciated, but this just adds fuel to their competitive fire.

Then there’s the pack with Girard, Hubbard, and a few others, all locked at 2-0 but with varying computer points, indicating some tight matches ahead if they want to climb up the rankings.

The rankings aren’t just about who’s undefeated. Take Lakeside, Ursuline, and Boardman, each sitting at 1-1 but showing they can hang tough when it matters, reflected in their solid computer points which could be the launchpad they need to rise up.

Lastly, the rankings give a nod to the likes of Archbishop Hoban and Youngstown East, both teams sitting at 1-1 but still in the mix, proving that a single loss doesn’t knock you out of the race in high school football.

As the season progresses, these rankings will undoubtedly shift, with underdogs looking to make their moves and frontrunners aiming to solidify their standings. It’s all to play for, and if the first few weeks are anything to go by, we’re in for a wild ride to the playoffs. Keep your eyes on the field—this season is just getting started!

YSN FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS – WEEK 2

1. Perry

1. Struthers

3. Austintown Fitch

4. Beaver (PA)

5. West Branch

6. Lakeview

6. Poland Seminary

8. Western Reserve

9. Warren JFK

10. South Range

11. Girard

12. Hubbard

13. Orange

13. United

13. McDonald

13. Waterloo

17. LaBrae

18. Windham

19. Jackson-Milton

19. Pymatuning Valley

21. Lakeside

22. Ursuline

23. Boardman

24. Archbishop Hoban

24. Youngstown East

YSN VOLLEYBALL POWER RANKINGS – WEEK 2

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COLUMBIANA, OH- Alright, sports fans, let’s break down the seismic shifts in the YSNl Power Rankings from Week 1 to Week 2 of the season. It’s like the earth moved under some of these teams, and the landscape looks pretty different now.

Starting at the top, Hoban has leapfrogged from third to claim the number one spot, knocking Canfield, last week’s leader, down a staggering thirteen places to 14th.  Meanwhile, Jefferson, which was sitting pretty at number two, has also taken a dive to the 19th spot.

Girard and Garfield are making their presence felt, both climbing the ranks impressively. Girard shot up from fifth to second, and Garfield from seventh to third, showing that they’re teams to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

Crestview and Lakeview have both nudged their way up too, but it’s LaBrae that’s made an interesting jump from 11th to 6th. East Liverpool also climbed into the upper echelon, moving from outside the top 10 into the seventh spot.

Looking at the bigger climbers, Mooney’s moved up nine places from 18th to 9th, and Hubbard, tied with Edgewood at 16th, is showing some signs of life after not even cracking the top 20 last week.

On the flip side, South Range and Springfield have both dropped out of the teens to occupy the 24th and 25th spots, respectively. Struthers and JFK, completely off the list this week, have vanished from the rankings like a ghost in the night.

The new entries shaking up the rankings include teams like Hubbard, making a debut alongside several others who’ve either climbed back into relevance or appeared for the first time.

WEEK 2 YSN VOLLEYBALL POWER RANKINGS

1 Archbishop Hoban

2 Girard

3 Garfield

4 Crestview

5 Lakeview

6 LaBrae

7 East Liverpool

8 McDonald

9 Cardinal Mooney

10 Boardman

11 Salem

12 West Branch

13 Austintown Fitch

14 Canfield

15 Beaver Local

16 Hubbard

T16 Edgewood

18 Lakeside

19 Jefferson

20 Howland

21 St John

22 Champion

23 Columbiana

24 South Range

25 Springfield

FALCONS FLY OUT OF MASSILLON WITH A WIN

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By Ty Bartell

 

MASSILLON, Ohio (AP) — The Austintown-Fitch Falcons improved to 2-0 with a road victory over the Massillon-Jackson Polar Bears, who fell to 0-2, in a 27-17 contest on Friday night at Robert Fife Stadium.
The Falcons jumped out to an early lead with a strong first quarter, scoring 17 points, including a 55-yard touchdown run by Deon’Dray Richard and a 22-yard touchdown pass from Davanzo Tate III to Brayden Bryant. Anthony Ruggles contributed with a 48-yard field goal to close the quarter.

Massillon-Jackson managed to keep the game within reach, scoring 10 points in the second quarter, highlighted by a 73-yard touchdown pass from Lucas Ecrement to Noah Colando. However, the Falcons responded with a 11-yard touchdown run by Tate III, extending their lead to 24-10 at halftime.

Both defenses held firm in the third quarter, preventing any scoring. The Polar Bears narrowed the gap in the fourth quarter with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Ecrement to Colando, but Ruggles sealed the Falcons’ victory with a 35-yard field goal late in the game.

Austintown-Fitch’s defense was effective throughout, forcing one fumble and recording four sacks. The Falcons controlled possession for 26 minutes and 40 seconds, while the Polar Bears managed 21 minutes and 20 seconds.

With this victory, Austintown-Fitch looks to maintain their undefeated record when they Host The GlenOak Golden Eagles (0-2) in week three of the high school football season!

FITCH TAKES SWINGS AT THE RAIDERS

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WARREN OH- Traveling to Trumbull Country Club to face All-American Conference foe Warren Harding on Wednesday, the Fitch boys golf team came home with a huge win over the Raiders. The Falcons outshot Harding on its home course by a score of 182-213 to improve to 5-6 overall and are now 2-4 in league play.

Fitch was led by senior Carter Owens and freshman Braeden Sallee who each carded low scores of 44 on the day.

The Falcons will play their next match on Tuesday, September 3 when they go on the road for another AAC matchup, this time against Canfield at Mill Creek Golf Club. Tee time for that contest is set for 3:30pm.

*Contributed By Chris Lewis at austintownathletics.com

FALCONS MAKE IT A THREE IN A ROW START

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YOUNGSTOWN OH- Fitch made it three straight wins to start the season on Tuesday, sweeping Ursuline (25-22, 25-12, 25-18).

Rylie Simons was on fire with 31 assists, 14 digs, and 3 aces, notching a double-double. Kylie Folkwein also earned a double-double with 12 kills and 16 digs. Katie Wilt added 7 kills and 7 digs, while Izzy DiRenzo held down the defense with 18 digs.

Fitch is back in action on September 3rd, hosting Louisville. Ursuline returns home Thursday to take on Cathedral Prep.

FALCONS HAVE NO TROUBLES AT HOME

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By Tim Corso

AUSTINTOWN OH- Austintown Fitch rolled past Euclid 49-12 on Friday night.

It was a tale of two programs entering the 2024 season. For Fitch, TJ Parker was looking to continue the strong tradition that he carried on from his first day as head coach. On the other sideline, Damion Creel was looking to lay a strong foundation and build a winning culture with his first game since moving from Lorain to Euclid.

Fitch couldn’t have gotten off to a better start with an opening drive touchdown from 27 yards out by Junie Higgs.

Soon after, Euclid senior quarterback Kyla Steuball threw an interception on the first Panther pass.

Less than a minute later, the Falcons had a 14-0 lead in thanks to DeonDray Richard’s 2-yard run. Just like that, less than three minutes in Fitch had a commanding lead.

Much of the first half remained the same until a Fitch fumble disrupted a Fitch drive that could’ve widened its margin even further.

​In response to it, Steuball led a touchdown drive to give Euclid some momentum cutting the deficit to 21-6.

​The Panthers had a good opportunity to start the second half with the ball, and a strong offensive performance during the second quarter.

​However, the second play of the half Steuball was picked off by Falcon defensive lineman Damarr Rogers on an attempted screen pass and housed to extend their lead to 28-7.

​The rest of the game was much of the same with Richard and Higgs leading the backfield while first-year starter, Davanzo Tate led the Falcon huddle and was the perfect game manager, taking care of the football and taking what the Euclid defense gave him.

​Coach Parker was able to get the younger guys experience while extending their lead to 49-12, which is where the score stood when the clock hit zero.

​The Falcons (1-0) will travel to Jackson High School next Friday, August 30.