Tag Archive for: Dragons

EAST KEEPS ON WINNING

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YOUNGSTOWN OH- For the first time since 2019 and the early 2010s,, the East High Lady Golden Bears came into their fifth game of the season against the Niles McKinley Lady Red Dragons who were at an even one and one record.  Last season, it was East getting the victory and they would get a repeat, dominating under head coach Tanisha Franklin by the final score of 53-13.  

 

In the first half, it wasn’t the scoring of Samair Colon that wasn’t impressive, but instead it was her four assists.  She would leave off right as she did last game then, scoring double digits in the second half and finishing with 13 points.  Joi Reynolds was the second highest Lady Bear as she dropped eight points, followed by Joh’Niqua Clay with seven Yelian (Jai) Maldonando with six points and five in the paint for Alyssa Crankfield.  For Niles, they struggled early in the paint and behind the arc but coach Bolhas team improved in the second half shooting a few wide open threes.  Gianna Wagner shot two threes in the third and finished with six points, Alaina Thigpen had three points, while Kaite Heinselman, Emily Macik, Jules Money and Abbey Reed each scored two points.  

 

The East High Lady Bears will travel to Akron to take on the Akron North Vikings Friday, while the Lady Red Dragons of Niles will host another Steel Valley iconic school in the Lady Chaney Cowgirls Monday the 5th.  After the coach, Ian O’Brien caught up with Tanisha Franklin after the big victory and what to expect against North.  

 

*Contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*

THE KEY UNLOCKS NEW HEIGHTS

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AUSTINTOWN OH- The Austintown Fitch Falcons opened up the girls basketball season, hosting The Dragons of Ashtabula Lakeside. The two squads squared off a year ago in which The Falcons emerged victorious. This time around, Fitch once again continued their dominance!

Bringing in multiple returning letter winners and starters from a year ago, The Falcons also saw some familiar faces return to the program. Austintown opened up with a 42-0 first quarter and never looked back!

History was made as Fitch senior “The Key” Zayda Creque became the single game all-time scorer in program history with 44 points on the night! Along with the point mark, Creque also splashed in ten shots from distance, the third time in her high school career tying her single game record on made threes in a game. 

The Falcons had strong contributions in the passing game from Ayla Ray, defense from Jocelyn Jourdan and extra scoring from Rachel Spalding. Fitch brings depth this season and will need every bit of it as they will be battling for the top spot of The All-American Conference (AAC). 

Austintown (1-0) will now travel to Liberty (0-0) to battle with The Leopards in their home opener. That battle will be scheduled for Friday, November 25th at 1 p.m.

Lakeside (0-1) will now look to bounce back in their home opener, as they will host Py Valley (2-0) on Wednesday, November 23rd.

*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell.

GIRARD HOLDS ON TIGHT TO KEEP VICTORY

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GIRARD OH- One of the most historical rivalries since the 80s is underrated in the Battle of 422 between two Trumbull county neighbors in the Girard Indians and Niles McKinley Red Dragons.  This season Girard finished their first nine games on the winning end with a 6-3 record, but the Dragons weren’t as fortunate as they came in with a two and seven record.  However just like all rivalries, you’re either one a 0 or 0 and one at the end of the night.  Niles had beat Girard the last three seasons, but this time the Indians were looking to end that streak.  Big names have played in this game in the past like Mark Waid and Chris Parry, but only one can come out on top.  

 

The first half was a high back and forth scoring spree.  It started with Girard going to the bag of tricks as Bobby Alejars found Connor Strain in the end zone off a Philly Indians special making it 7 to 0.  Niles would not go away however as Antuan Gardner, still wearing that cast in his right arm powered through from two years out making it tied at seven.  Gardner continued his comeback tour as this time he took it 20-yards, evading a couple tackles making it 14-7.  But the Indians would not go away as Dominick Tollone found Anthony Bengala showing off his Randy Moss hopps and taking it for a big touchdown tying it all at 14.  Niles would end the first quarter with a score too when Anthony Budak found Nathan Coots on a hitch in which he invaded a couple tacklers and headed to pader making it 21-14. 

 

Girard moved down the field to start their part of the second half, as Michael Palmer took it in from one-yard, tying it back up at 21 all.  Gardner broke through again with his third touchdown of the night from four-yards out, but the extra point was no good by Keyshon Talley making it 27-21. That is when Palmer took it in for another touchdown and with the Zachary Morris extra point, it was now a one point 28-27 lead heading into the half.  The second half did not see a scoring frenzy as the second half had. Alejars would score in the endzone for Girard with the PAT making it an eight point 35-27 lead.  Niles came back with a touchdown of their own in the middle of the fourth, but the failed two point conversion off the trick play made it 35-33.  Niles would not get the ball back as Girard wasted time and got the first down making the final 35-33 and winning back to back seasons against the Red Dragons for the first time since 2017-2018.  

 

Stats: 

Dom Tollone 260 yards passing 3 Touchdowns. 

 

Michael Palmer: 209 rushing yards touchdown.  

 

Anthony Budak: 137 passing yards and a touchdown.  

 

Antuan Gardner: 178 rushing yards and four touchdowns.  

 

Up next: 

Niles finishes their season 2-8 and 0-7 in Northeast 8 and will get ready for off season lifting to prepare themselves for 2023. Girard finishes the regular season 7-3 and 4-3 in the NE8 and will await their team in the playoffs. 

 

After the game, YSNs Ian O’Brien caught up with coach Pat Pearson about the big victory and their mindset looking forward to the playoffs. This will be coach Pearsona sixth playoff appearance since taking over as head coach in 2014.  

 

*contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*

 

 

GIRARD PACKS THEIR BAGS FOR DISTRICTS

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GIRARD OH- Girard finished their final home match of the year in style on Thursday night. The top seeded Indians had no trouble sweeping the conference rival Niles for the third time this season. (25-11 25-12 25-11)

 

Lauren Pallone held the lead in kills for the offense. She finished with 16. Bree Latell contributed 9 kills to the cause.  Allison Durkin found all of her hitters in rhythm finishing with 30 assists.   Bailey Walters led the back row grabbing 12 digs. Latell went down and got 9 digs.  Girard had 22 aces as a team, Walters and Latell both had 6 to lead the way.

Girard advances to the district semifinals with the win. They are lined up with 9th seeded Aurora. That game is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:00 at Jefferson Area High School.

EAGLES DOMINATION OF NILES CONTINUES

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HUBBARD, Ohio –

Niles started off throwing their best punch right to the chops of Hubbard much like they did a year ago at Bo Rein. After forcing a three and out on the Eagles’ opening drive of the night, a great return from Nathan Coots set the Red Dragons up with just 9 yards to pay dirt. After four straight gives to Antuan Gardner, the Niles star would finally find the endzone on his final attempt from two yards out to give the Dragons an early lead.

The two teams would swap three and outs before the Eagles would get the ball back at their own 15. Hubbard would march the ball down the field for their opening score with just over half of the second quarter clock remaining.

Hubbard’s defense would force a three and out on the ensuing Niles drive and get the ball back right around midfield. Fives plays later and the Eagles would take their first lead of the ballgame, one they’d never relinquish.

In a 2022 season filled with offensive woes for the Hubbard Eagles (6-3), the boys in blue topped 30 points for the first time all season in their 37-20 victory, a feat they accomplished 7 times just a year ago. One of the biggest proponents of the Eagles newfound success was a massive wrinkle thrown into the offense this week, scrapping the whole thing. Abandoning the wing-T and reverting to the more traditional Hoffman spread ground and pound with short passes off the run game, the Eagles were able to open the field and move the ball at will.

Although Hubbard’s offense was the main story of the night, the Eagles’ defensive effort shall not fall on deaf ears. The Hubbard defense held Niles to just 125 total yards and -12 rushing yards on 15 attempts, bottling up Gardner to -14 on the ground.

DUAL-THREAT HENDRIX

With the Eagles transitioning back into the spread, the offense has opened to allow for Hubbard’s senior signal caller, Nik Hendrix, to produce more with his legs. Hendrix tallied his highest rush total of the season with 70 yards, while also throwing for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns on 18 attempts. Hendrix also came up with an interception on the defensive side. As the Eagles head into next week against a vaunted South Range defense and into the postseason, look for Hendrix to continue to be more of a threat on the ground in addition to his talented arm.

THE STREAK

Hubbard’s 37-20 victory earned the Eagles their 16th straight victory over Niles in the series matchup. Head coach Brian Hoffman has never lost to the Red Dragons, holding a perfect 15-0record. Niles’ last victory over Hubbard came in 1995.

BIG PERFORMERS

HUBBARD: (3 penalties, 20 yards)

Nik Hendrix: 147 passing yards, 2 TDs, 70 rushing yards, 1 defensive INT

Garland Warren: 14 carries, 72 yards, 2 catches, 36 yards, 2 total TDs

Ben Wilcox: 80 total yards, 1 rushing TD

NILES: (9 penalties, 65 yards)

Nathan Coots: 1/1 26 passing yards, 4 catches 41 yards, 2 total TDs

PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS

HUBBARD:

Thanks to their win over the Red Dragons, Hubbard has nearly secured their spot in the 2022 postseason. The victory bumped them up a few spots in the rankings and leaves them with a chance of grabbing a home game with a win over the South Range Raiders in week 10.

NILES:

Falling to the Eagles for their 7th loss of the season, the Red Dragons have been eliminated from playoff contention.

UP NEXT

Hubbard: Looking to ride the momentum of their win over the Red Dragons, the Eagles will play host next week to the top dogs of the NE8, the South Range Raiders (9-0). The Raiders hold the third longest regular season win streak in the state at 29 games, while the Eagles hold a 12-game winning streak at Hubbard Memorial Stadium. Hubbard’s last home loss came October 2nd of 2020, to none other than South Range.

Niles: Their postseason dreams now crushed after their loss to the Eagles, the Red Dragons will remain on the road and head to Arrowhead to take on the Girard Indians (6-3). Since 2004, these two teams have split their 18 matchups right down the middle at 9 apiece.

 

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson

WILDCATS CREATE PROBLEMS FOR NILES

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NILES OH- Playoffs are on the horizon and for these teams a win can save your season, but a loss can make you go packing. Niles needs just two wins in order to make the playoffs, while a Struthers win could get them some more points and get a lock in. That action took place at Bo Rein Stadium, the Eastwood Mall Field on Friday as the Jim Parry led Niles McKinley Red Dragons (2-5) hosted the NE8 conference rivals John Bayuk and Struthers Wildcats (3-4). Niles has a record against Struthers in the 2000s with it being 10-8 but would that happen Friday?

A few keys in this game was also some returning players for the Red Dragons in Matt Keeley making his return for a second week while Antuan Gardner was wearing a cast but would play both sides of the ball. Gardner did not play for the last six games before opening week against Howland.

The start of the first quarter was a defensive struggle for both teams up until the end of the first where Struthers got two touchdowns. The first was an Alec Grzyb five yard run making it 7-0. On the ensuing kickoff, the Red Dragons talented receiver in Nathan Coots had a nice return but fumbled the ball as it was recovered by Struthers. One play later, Tyler Sanchez took it up the middle 61-yards for the score making it 13-0 after the missed PAT.

In the second half, Struthers extended their lead, taking a play from the 2017-18 super bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. The Wildcats used a Philly special with Grzyb and Robert Carcelli making it 20-0.

Many thought that would be it but it wouldn’t. Niles got the offense rolling with quarterback Anthony Budak finding chemistry with Coots. Which led to Coots scoring six yards out making it 20-6. Niles then recovered a Keyshon Talley onside kick which led to Budak finding Jamari White in the back of the endzone in tight coverage making it 20-13.

However, Struthers turned up the jets. Instead of running the clock, Jason Dukes off a play action found Grzyb as both switched places. The play worked to perfection resulting in a touchdown making it 27-13. Niles drove down the field but a few run plays with Gardner and a missed fourth down conversion ended up being the game as Struthers saved their playoff hopes with a 27-13 victory.

Stats
Struthers:

Grzyb: 6-8 72 yards passing. 14 carries for 76 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Sanchez 13 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown.

Niles:

Gardner: 23 carries for 85 yards

Coots: seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown.

Next
Niles (2-6) will have to win their next two matchups, the first being against the Hubbard Eagles (5-3) (2-3 in NE8) at Hubbard next week.

Struthers (4-4) will host Girard (6-2) (3-2) in the NE8 and can be locked in fully with a win next week.

After the game, Ian O’Brien caught up with coach John Bayuk and quarterback Alec Grzyb about the game and what to expect next week.

*contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*

WEST BRANCH EXTINGUISHES THE DRAGONS

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BELOIT OH- West Branch soccer has been on tear of late. Nothing was stopping them on Thursday night as they took on Niles.  The Warriors won their fifth game in a row and are now 7-5-1 on the season.

The offense for the Warriors was balanced as four different players scored a goal.  Xander Culbertson grabbed a goal for the Warriors, so did Gavin Clemens. Also contributing goals were Carter Close and Caden Zion. Culbertson, Close, and Mathew Cederbloom all added assists for the West Branch attack.  In the Warrior goal it was keeper Will Weingart saved 5 shots to earn the victory.

West Branch sees their rival on the horizon as they’ll take on Salem on Tuesday at home.  Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm.

 

NILES WINS MIDWEEK SHOWDOWN

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NILES OH- Both teams have had their share of adversity this season and only one was going to come on top.  The one who came on top in the end was the Lady Red Dragons who got their third sweep of the season against the Chaney Cowgirls, winning 25-11, 25-12 and 25-14.

 

One of the biggest hitters in Kayla Sprague for the Red Dragons left the game early with a leg injury, causing a few Lady Red Dragons to step up. Mia Keeley stepped up with a few blocks in the second set and Aliania Thigpen was dangerous on her hits and spikes throughout the game.  

 

It looked like the Lady Cowgirls could have some momentum early in the third set going up 3-0, but Niles fought right back with Abbey Reed leading them.  Not only is this the Red Dragons third sweep, it’s not the first for new acting head coach and athletic director Marc Fritz who had a big celebration after the game giving brownies to his players in the big victory.  

 

After the game, YSNs Ian O’Brien caught up with coach Fritz about the game and what to expect against Hubbard, as the Lady Dragons will host the Eagles Thursday 7pm. 

 

*contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*

 

JEFFERSON DRAWS EVEN IN NE8 PLAY

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NILES OH- since 2015, the Jefferson Area Falcons have not won a game against their NE8 rival Niles McKinley Red Dragons.  With a great three and one start to the season however, would that change or would Niles bounce back after their tough loss to Lakeview last week and keep their playoff hopes alive?

 

The game started in favor of the Red Dragons as star receiver Nathan Coots caught an 8-yard pass from Anthony Budak making it 7-0 early.  Jefferson bounced right back with just 54 seconds to go in the first as Luke Funtash used his feet to push through the line, getting a one-yard touchdown tying it up at seven all. 

 

Jefferson made a change in this game where they put sophomore quarterback Kaige Boczar in and they moved the talented senior Grant Hitchcock to wide receiver.  The slant route worked as Hitchcock went 76-yards to the endzone.  Followed by a Jenson Varosh field goal it was now 17-7.  The Red Dragons didn’t go away quietly however as Budak turned his body and found a wide open Roberto Merlo in the back of the endzone making it 17-14 going into the half.  

 

However there would be no comeback as the second half was all Falcons winning by the final score of 31-14, improving to four and one of the season and will host Hubbard  Meanwhile, Niles falls to two and three and will travel to face the Poland Bulldogs. 

 

After the game, YSNs Ian O’Brien caught up with coach Brandon Hanna to talk about the big victory and what to expect against Hubbard. 

 

*contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*

 

 

BULLDOGS CONTINUE THEIR STRONG START

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NILES OH- The last time the Lakeview Bulldogs got a victory against the Niles McKinley Red Dragons was 2017, since then they’ve had bad luck.  Either it would be a repeat or a change as Lakeview went down to Niles as both teams looked to move to three and one on the season. One team in Lakeview is gaining momentum while another one in Niles is trying to find out with their two stars Antuan Gardner and Matt Keeley out. 

 

Lakeview opened up the first quarter rumbling and stumbling with senior Damien Natali, and junior running backs Hayden Bartram and Nolan Toth.  Natali got the first touchdown from four-yards out making it seven to nothing.  

 

After an Anthony Budak interception, Lakeview had another chance to score, but was stopped on a fourth and goal at the one turning the ball over.  However, while the first half had a lot of defense, the second half would change.  

 

The Bulldogs scored once more as Natali off a play action pass found Toth for a 38-yard touchdown pass making it 14-0.  Niles would’ve let go however as on the ensuing kickoff, Nathan Coots took it 82-yards to the four yard line. That led to Joe Smith taking it in but a high snap meant the PAT was no good making it 14-6.  The Bulldogs scored once more in the fourth as Natali got his second rushing touchdown, his third total 21-6.  

 

Niles drove down the field for Smith to take it in two-yards out making it 21-13 and got the ball back after a four and out.  Budak would however throw his second interception to senior Luke Canzonetta as Lakeview for the first time since 2017 beat their Northeastern 8 rival Niles Red Dragons 21 to 13.  

 

Niles Stats:

 

Anthony Budak: 102 yards passing, 2 interceptions, -4 yards rushing. 

 

Joe Smith: 11 carries for 32 yards and two touchdowns. 

 

Keyshon Talley: 75 yards receiving. 

 

Lakeview stats: 

 

Damien Natali: 48 yards passing and a touchdown. 19 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns.  

 

Hayden Bartram: 16 carries for 61 yards 

 

Nolan Toth: 16 carries  for 66 yards, one reception 38 yards and a touchdown.  

 

Up next: Niles (2-2) will host NE8 conference rival Jefferson (3-1) who is coming off of a 21-6 loss to Girard.  Lakeview (3-1) will host (4-0) Girard next week.  

 

After the game, YSNs Ian O’Brien caught up with coach Sam Bellino about the big victory and what to expect against Girard next week: 



*Contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*