Tag Archive for: Dragons

CATS STAY COOL ON SENIOR NIGHT

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By Ty Bartell 

STRUTHERS OH- As the volleyball season begins to wind down, senior nights are beginning to take place all around the valley and beyond. As it’s both a passing of the torch to the young classmates and a gear up for tournament time! Quite a few senior night celebrations were taking place on Tuesday, October 3rd, including The Struthers Wildcats. Hosting in a fellow Northeast 8 (NE8) conference opponent, The Niles-McKinley Red Dragons. Winning two prior matchups with Niles this season, The Wildcats were undefeated in sets at a 5-0 record against The Red Dragons this year.

The first set saw Struhers get a key rally with Scarlet Horvath behind the service line! The Wildcats would gain a double-digit point advantage and never look back, claiming the opening set by a score of 25-8. A score that was so nice, Struthers did it twice! Picking up the set two win with the same score of 25-8, as The Wildcats had plenty aces up their sleeves from behind the service line! The Red Dragons put up the most fight in the third set, exchanging scores from the early to middle portions of the set with Struthers. However, The Wildcats clinched the match with a runaway 25-11 set victory to claim the match in straight sets!

Struthers (7-12)(5-7) will stay in conference action with another home matchup, this time hosting in The South Range Raiders (10-8)(6-5) on Thursday, October 5th. On the other hand, Niles (1-16)(0-12) will go out of conference when they hit the road to battle a different group of Raiders when they do battle with The Warren G. Harding Raiders (3-11) on Wednesday, October 4th. Interviews with Players of the Match Genevieve Wulzen and Mickey Taaffe, as well as Coach Bob Calvin can be found below! Stay up to date with NE8 volleyball on YSN.

BULLDOGS BOUNCE BACK IN THE DRAGONS DEN

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NILES OH- In a hard-fought battle on the gridiron, Poland bounced back from last week’s setback with a gritty 28-14 victory on the road over the Niles Dragons. The game featured a series of compelling moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

In the 1st quarter, Niles embarked on a promising drive, starting at their own 4-yard line. Anthony Budak’s precision passing, including a 36-yard completion to Kristopher Hrosar, and powerful carries by Antuan Gardner and Joe Smith, took them to the Poland 6. However, Niles missed a 23-yard field goal attempt. Poland responded with an 80-yard drive, culminating in Dom Pagano’s 2-yard touchdown run, and the PAT was good, putting them ahead 7-0.

The 2nd quarter saw Niles’ defense stepping up, stopping Poland on 4th down at the Poland 47-yard line. Then, Budak found Gardner with a 27-yard touchdown pass, and the successful PAT leveled the score at 7-7. Poland answered back with Cole Fulton’s 6-yard touchdown run, capping a drive that started at their own 31. The PAT was good, and Poland led 14-7.

As the 3rd quarter began, Poland executed a successful onside kick, gaining possession at the Niles 48-yard line. However, the Red Dragons’ defense stood firm, forcing a turnover on downs. Niles responded by punting, and Poland’s Cole Fulton unleashed a 52-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 21-7. Niles answered with a 71-yard drive, with Anthony Budak rushing for a 2-yard touchdown to narrow the gap to 21-14.

In a pivotal moment, Cole Fulton, on the first play from scrimmage, broke free for a breathtaking 69-yard touchdown run. The successful PAT extended Poland’s lead to 28-14 with 4:32 left in the 3rd quarter.

The 4th quarter saw both teams trading possessions, but neither could find the end zone. Niles made a late-game push, blocking a punt with 2:08 remaining, but ultimately turned the ball over on downs.

In the end, Poland emerged victorious with a final score of 28-14. Poland improved to 6-1 (2-1) and looks forward to their next challenge against Girard, while Niles, now 5-2 (2-1), prepares to host South Range in their upcoming matchup.

DRAGONS ROAR LATE BUT FALL SHORT

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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.

NILES CRASHES THE PARTY

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CORTLAND OH- In an unexpected turn of events, the Niles football team delivered a dominating  performance as they crashed the party at Lakeview’s home field, clinching a commanding 31-0 victory over the Bulldogs.

The night undoubtedly belonged to Antuan Gardner, who showcased his incredible talent and determination on the field. Gardner bulldozed his way to an impressive 215 rushing yards, leaving the Lakeview defense helpless in their attempts to contain him. His remarkable performance included three touchdowns, making him an unstoppable force and a true game-changer for Niles.

Quarterback Tony Budak displayed his prowess in the passing game, connecting on two passes of 40 yards or more, with one of them resulting in a spectacular 50-yard touchdown strike. His precision and ability to make big plays through the air added a crucial dimension to Niles’ offensive arsenal.

Nate Coots was a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball. Not only did he contribute to Niles’ defensive prowess with a pair of crucial sacks and a forced fumble, but he also showcased his versatility by catching a touchdown on the offensive side.

Despite the outcome, Lakeview’s defense demonstrated resilience by forcing two turnovers. Nolan Toth’s fumble recovery and Heydon Newton’s interception showcased their determination to make plays even in the face of adversity.

With this dominant win, Niles made a resounding statement, leaving Lakeview and their fans in awe. The Bulldogs will surely look to regroup and come back stronger after this unexpected turn of events, while Niles will carry the momentum from this impressive victory into their future matchups.

 

DRAGONS STRUGGLE AT HOME VS WOLVERINES

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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.

RAIDERS HAVE NO TROUBLE THIS TIME AROUND IN NILES

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The South Range Raiders put on a dominant display of volleyball prowess as they swept aside the Niles Red Dragons in a convincing three-set victory, sealing the match with a scoreline of 3-0. The Raiders’ performance was marked by their precision, teamwork, and standout individual contributions.

South Range set the tone early in the match, cruising to a 25-12 win in the first set. The Raiders’ impeccable defense, led by Maddie Daddo’s 14 crucial digs, left the Red Dragons struggling to find their footing.

In the second set, Niles Red Dragons put up a stronger fight, but the Raiders maintained their composure to win 25-21. Sarah Kuhns’ precise assists (13 in total) ensured that the South Range offense continued to flow smoothly.

The third set mirrored the first, with South Range delivering another commanding performance to secure a 25-12 victory. Maddie Mook’s 7 kills added to the Raiders’ offensive firepower.

Maddie Daddo was a defensive stalwart for the Raiders, contributing 14 crucial digs that thwarted the Red Dragons’ attacks and provided a solid foundation for her team.
Sarah Kuhns orchestrated the Raiders’ offense masterfully, dishing out 13 precise assists that set up scoring opportunities.
Maddie Mook showcased her attacking prowess with 7 powerful kills, keeping the Red Dragons’ defense on its toes.

The South Range Raiders’ well-rounded team effort and individual brilliance shone brightly in this match, as they claimed victory with a clean 3-0 sweep over the Niles Red Dragons. Their strong performance and consistency on both ends of the court demonstrated their prowess in the world of high school volleyball.

TESTIFY ABOUT GREAT DEFENSE

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ASHTABULA OH- In the world of volleyball, the libero position is often synonymous with defense, and at Lakeside High School, Tess Collins has epitomized what it means to be a defensive leader. As a senior libero for the Lakeside Dragons, Tess has not only embraced this vital role but has excelled in it, earning a reputation as one of the best leaders her team has ever seen.

Tess’s journey as a libero began with a genuine love for the position. She understood that, as the last line of defense, her role was crucial in keeping her team’s hopes alive. Over the years, this affection for the libero position has grown into a deep passion and dedication that defines her on the court.

Tess’s statistics over the years only confirm what her teammates and fans already know—she’s an exceptional talent on the volleyball court. In 2022, she finished the season as the second-highest digger on her team, amassing a remarkable 332 digs with an astonishingly low error rate of just two digging errors throughout the season. Her average of 3.8 digs per set highlighted her consistency in the role.

But Tess isn’t just about defense. She’s a well-rounded player who contributes across the board. In 2022, she notched 53 service aces, showcasing her ability to contribute to both ends of the game. Her 69 assists demonstrated her versatility, and she led the team in serve receives with an impressive 473.

The 2023 season is proving to be another remarkable chapter in Tess’s career. Through eight matches, she’s already amassed 98 digs, averaging an impressive 4.7 per set. Remarkably, she has yet to make a single digging error. Her 161 serve receives are a testament to her reliability, with only 14 serve receive errors on her record. Tess has also contributed 13 aces, showing that she’s continually elevating her game.

Tess attributes much of her success to her mom, who has provided her with unwavering support and guidance throughout her volleyball journey. Beyond volleyball, Tess has set her sights on a future career as a nurse, aspiring to follow in her mother’s footsteps. While Tess remains undecided about whether college volleyball will be a part of her journey, one thing is clear: her dedication, leadership, and exceptional skills on the court will continue to leave a lasting legacy at Lakeside High School.

Tess sat down with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig to talk about her career at Lakeside. They discuss how much she’s put into the sport, her future plans, and much more. Check out the latest Lakeside Volleyball Player Profile only on YSN!

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DRAGONS OFFENSE SCORCHES LIONS

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Photo Credit: CM Photography

Pepper Pike, OH- The Lakeside Dragons came into week 4 looking to rekindle their flame and that was achieved friday night in Pepper Pike. The Lakeside Dragons dominated the Orange Lions with a final score of 36-7. The game unfolded with several remarkable plays that kept fans of the green and gold cheering all night.

The first quarter started explosively when Lakeside’s Alex DiSalvatore launched a sensational 72-yard touchdown pass to Matt Wagner, putting Lakeside ahead 6-0. Unfortunately, the two-point conversion attempt failed. However, Lakeside quickly bounced back, as Nate Bartone scored a 9-yard touchdown run, and he personally converted the two-point play, extending the lead to 14-0.

The second quarter saw Lakeside’s Alex DiSalvatore connecting with Caleb Stitt for a 35-yard touchdown pass, and Matt Wagner secured the two-point conversion with a catch. This impressive play brought the score to 22-0. Lakeside continued to dominate when DiSalvatore rushed for a 5-yard touchdown and Sincere Turner caught the two-point conversion, making it 30-0 in favor of Lakeside.

In the third quarter, Nate Bartone showcased his skills again with a remarkable 36-yard touchdown run, but the two-point conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 36-0.

Orange continued their fight into the fourth quarter when Alex Ford broke free for a 57-yard touchdown run, and the extra point was good, putting them on the board at 36-7.

The final whistle blew with the Lakeside Dragons claiming a resounding victory, improving their record to 2-2. They look ahead to face the struggling West Geauga Wolverines (0-4) at home in week 4. On the other hand, the Orange Lions, also at 2-2, will hit the road to take on the formidable Madison Blue Streaks (3-1) who is begining to find their old identity for  their next matchup.

NILES OVERPOWERS THE EAGLES

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By Jamie Thomson

NILES, OH – The Niles Red Dragons (3-1) have a NE8 Player of the Year candidate in senior running back Antuan Gardner and a stout defense to match.

Gardner totaled 263 yards of offense and two touchdowns and Niles’ defense held the Hubbard Eagles (3-1) to just 95 total yards in the game, the lowest total Niles has held the Eagles to since 1986.

After starting the game slow, Niles would move the ball at will in the second quarter while totaling 24 points in the period. Gardner punched the first touchdown of the night in from 1 yard out just four seconds in and it wasn’t until over 8 minutes later that Antony Budak would score his only touchdown of the night from a yard out. Gardner would score less than a minute and a half later and Niles would add an additional field goal as time expired.

Coming out of the break, Hubbard would start with terrific field positioning thanks to a great return by Baron Reynolds-Penny. Alex Hackwelder would find the endzone just three and a half minutes later to bring the Eagles to within three scores. Unfortunately for Hubbard, that’s where their scoring would end.

The Niles defense would force three interceptions on the night, one of which came in their own endzone to keep Hubbard’s comeback bid at bay. Defensively, the Red Dragons would go the entire game without a penalty, a stark contrast from the defensive unit on the opposite sideline, who granted multiple first downs in key moments on offsides penalties. The strong defensive effort paired with a monster effort from Gardner gave Niles their first win over Hubbard since 1995, snapping a 16-game losing streak, 27-6.

BIG PERFORMERS

NILES:

Antuan Gardner: 156 rushing yards, 107 receiving yards, 2 total TDs

Anthony Budak: 133 passing yards, 1 rushing TD, 1 passing TD

HUBBARD:

Matthew Chaney: 5 catches, 32 receiving yards

UP NEXT

Niles: Starting off conference play 1-0, the Red Dragons will look to remain unbeaten in the NE8 next week when they travel to Cortland for a matchup with the Lakeview Bulldogs (3-1).Lakeview will come into the matchup off of a 28-21 loss to the defending Division 5 state champion South Range Raiders.

Hubbard: After dropping their first game to the Red Dragons since 1995, the Eagles will return home for a matchup with the undefeated Poland Bulldogs (4-0). Poland has taken three of the last four matchups against Hubbard.

IRISH HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO SLAY DRAGONS

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​By Tim Corso 

 

YOUNGSTOWN OH-Ursuline rolled past Lakeside Friday night 50-0, in what was a quick contest at Stambaugh Stadium.

​Dan Reardon always seems to have some tricks up his sleeve, and tonight he pulled one out on the opening kickoff.

​Kicker Brandon Tabak cued a perfect onside kick that left the Dragons in a helpless scramble on what would be a successful Irish attempt.

​With the ball at midfield for Ursuline, runs by D.C. Ferrell, Jack Ericson, and Christian Lynch led to the Irish getting out to an 8-0 lead after the drive was capped by a 2-yard run from Lynch.

Ericson tossed a touchdown while getting it done with both his arm and legs in the win.

​The ensuing Lakeside possession resulted in Dragon quarterback Alex DiSalvatore fumbling inside his own 10, then watching the reigning Mahoning County Defensive Player of the Year, Ty’Req Donlow scoop the ball up and double the Irish lead.

​Reardon’s squad had it going all night long, and while it’s hard to pinpoint one player in this loaded Ursuline offense, Lynch put his speed and strength on display tonight with well over 100 yards on the ground to go with three scores. The Princeton commit had touchdown runs of 69 and 25 in addition to his first one.

​The stout Irish offense is nothing to scoff at, but neither are the other “two phases” for them. Their defense pitched the shutout, while forcing three turnovers, and the special teams not only had some early game magic but got a touchdown of their own on a 72-yard Ferrell punt return that resulted in six.

​It was a good night to be an Ursuline fan, as the game was under two hours, the second stringers gained valuable playing time, and a pretty 50-0 hung on the scoreboard as the Irish fight song rung through the night, and all the way back to Wick Avenue.

​Ursuline (3-0) will travel to Rayen Stadium next Friday, September 8, for a Steel Valley Conference clash with East (1-2) in the conference opener. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.

 

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