JEFFERSON OH- The Jefferson Falcon Volleyball team won a huge victory over Girard this evening. The Falcons defeated the Warriors in four sets with scores of 25-22, 23-25, 25-17, 25-22. Jefferson’s overall record improves to 9-4 and 6-2 in the Northeast Eight Conference (NE8).
The Falcons host Madison on Monday, Sept. 19 in a Non-Conference matchup. JV action starts at 5:30pm with the varsity to follow.
*Contributed By Donald Palm at jeffersonfalconathletics.org
BOARDMAN OH- The lady Spartans played a great match against Fitch beating them 183 to 233. Junior Sophia Rivera had the low score for the match of a 41 and senior Zoey Fick- Mills came in second place with a 45. Seniors Emily Choleva and Kate Pendleton shot a 48 and 49.
The Spartans take on the Canfield and Poland Thursday at Mill Creek
*Contributed By Lee Christman at boardmanathletics.org
CANFIELD OH- The Cardinals girls soccer team has been the definition of dominant in the AAC over the last decade. That didn’t change on Wednesday night as Canfield improved to 5-1-0 and (2-0-0 in AAC) with a 3-1 win over Austintown Fitch.
Canfield goals were scored by Addy Masters, and Maci Toporcer with 2. Austintown got a goal contributed by Bailey Baker. Canfield assists were made by Maci Toporcer Canfield goalkeeper Lauren Padgett had 4 saves Austintown goalie Jordan Corel had 8 saves
AUSTINTOWN OH- There were a lot of story lines heading in to Tuesday’s matchup between Austintown Fitch and Canfield. First, and probably most important was first place in the AAC. Both teams sported an undefeated AAC record coming in. Along with that, Canfield setter Riley Kinkade came in needing just 6 assists to reach 1000 in her career. Then add the fact that Fitch standout Jocelyn Jourdan was celebrating a birthday. In the end, Kinkade got 1,000 assists, and Fitch got first place with a four set win. (25-16 20-25 25-19 25-19)
Jocelyn Jourdan celebrated her birthday by leading the Falcons with 25 kills, and 14 digs to complete a double double. Kylie Folkwein also finished with a double double totaling 15 digs, and 11 kills. Rylie Simons continues to shine as the Falcons setter with 45 assists.
Canfield’s night was headlined by Kinkade’s 1000th career assist in the second set. She needed 6, she finished with 15. Maddy Cleevely led the Cardinals with 14 kills on the night. Abby Muckleroy finished with 8 kills, 3 blocks, and 5 aces. Parker Wlikins led the defense with 16 digs.
Fitch returns to action on Thursday as they host Warren Harding. Canfield ventures outside the AAC on Thursday as they host Mooney.
JEFFERSON OH- It is a big burden to be the only senior on a roster. That is the task that Jefferson senior Remingtyn (Remi) Ryan has this year. Jefferson is a volleyball program that graduated a lot of talent in the 2021 season. Not only were the seniors great players, they also defined the identity of the team. Now, the Falcons had to adjust and find a new identity for a team that is simply not the same as last season. Remi was one of the first players to step up and play a new role for her team, one she has never played before. Once their lone senior made that decision, it was easy for all the younger players to learn how to do new things. Remi one of the most talented players in Ashtabula County, and she’s widely known among the community. You ask any player that plays in her area who they watch the most, you can bet that Remi Ryan is a popular answer.
So far this season Remi is second on the team in kills gathering 71. She averages 3.2 kills per set. Playing in the back row for the first time, Ryan leads the team in digs with 84. Ryan also leads the team in service aces with 19.
Remi took the time out of her busy school day to hop on to YSN’s Running Point and talk about her senior campaign. She talks with Richie Juliano and Anthony Hartwig about leading the team, how she’s grown over the years, and much more. Check out the latest Jefferson Volleyball Player Profile only on YSN.
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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio- In a battle of two of the area’s premier programs, Ursuline and Austintown Fitch took center stage at Stambaugh Stadium. Ursuline came in off a thrilling 40-38 victory over Farrell (PA) last Saturday night, and Fitch came in off an impressive 48-18 victory over Glenoak.
After forcing the Irish to turn the ball over on downs on their first possession, it was all Fitch. The Falcons forced three first-half turnovers, including an 86-yard fumble recovery touchdown by DJ Williams. A rushing touchdown by Williams as well as two touchdowns from DeShawn Vaughn Jr. to Jayden Eley gave Fitch a 28-0 lead heading into halftime.
The second half was time for Ursuline to try to get the ball into the endzone after multiple possessions in the first half that were pushed into Fitch territory but came out with zero points. An 84-yard pick-six from Iowa State commit Cam Smith made it 35-0 and put the running clock into effect after Ursuline’s first drive of the third quarter. That was when Ursuline started to get the offense rolling. The Irish answered quickly with a TD pass from Jack Ericson to DC Ferrell, eliminating the running clock, and even though the Falcons would score another touchdown to put it back into effect on their next possession, Ursuline was finally finding their rhythm. The Irish went into the fourth quarter down 42-14 but would put up 27 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to pull off the incredible comeback. The attempt came up just short though, as Fitch would recover Ursuline onside kick attempt in the final minute to hang on for a 42-34 victory.
The rushing attacks for both teams impressed mightily tonight, as Christian Lynch had another night with more than 200 yards for Ursuline, and the duo of Jamell James and Dj Williams combined for 240 yards on the ground, each tallying a touchdown on the night.
*Contributed By YSN’s Anthony Romo
AUSTINTOWN OH- When looking for a high character person, one that can be a voice of reason and someone that is always striving to better themselves. Look no further than Austintown Fitch Falcons senior Cam Smith.
Playing as a starter under T.J. Parker over the last three seasons, Smith was a hot commodity amongst colleges this past off season. As the defensive back drew interest from over a half dozen universities prior to the start of the 2022 campaign. Ultimately deciding to be a Cyclone and take his talent to Iowa State University.
Having a unique blend of power and speed, makes Smith a tough ask for any receiver to go up against. Being a huge part of Austintowns 3-0 start, Smith and The Falcons look to continue rolling in the season by being a defensively sound football team.
From his favorite moments in the sport, to the qualities he looks for in a coach, to the recruiting process. All that and more was discussed as Cam Smith stopped by Running Point to chat with Anthony and Ty. Do not miss out on this Player Profile interview EXCLUSIVELY on YSN!
*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell.
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AUSTINTOWN OH- The Austintown Fitch Falcons have sat, perched atop The All-American Conference (AAC) for the past two years. Staking claim to two consecutive conference championships in 2020 and 2021, Fitch goes into the year looking for a three-peat. Going into Thursday evening, The Falcons were 2-0 in conference play, winning both matches having not dropped a set in the conference this year.
The Thursday evening matchup? None other than the age-old rival in The Boardman Spartans, who were coming off a straight set victory against The Warren Harding Raiders on Wednesday. With the high energy rolling around, both teams came out with a fire! Exchanging blows in the early going, both teams battled in a back-and-forth affair in the beginning of Set 1, drawing even 13-13 at one point. However, Fitch grabbed a lead and flew away with it, going on a set-clinching run to emerge victorious by ten points!
Leading 1-0 in sets, Austintown looked to bring out the same intensity they used to end the previous set. But similar to Set 1, The Spartans were filled with a ton of fight to start Set 2. THis time around, it was the freshman play of Rylie Simons behind the service line that catapulted The Falcons to a 25-13 Set 2 win.
With a big lead in sets 2-0, Fitch was looking to close out the victory. Girls like Jocelyn Jourdan were great per usual, slamming down multiple kills per set to help her team throughout the night. For Boardman in Set 3, The Spartans were determined to avoid a big Falcons run, and did they ever! Putting up a great fight with girls like Gia Triveri and Gianna Cicchillo stepping up and battling the entire set. Austintown ultimately emerged the four point victors in Set 3, but not without a great battle with Boardman.
Kylie Folkwein was another Falcon freshman that was very impressive! Stepping up big on both offense and defense with great efficiency was more than enough to earn her Player of the Game!
Both teams will travel into The Northeast 8 Conference (NE8) in the coming days. Fitch (6-1) set for a battle of the birds, as they take on Hubbard (1-5) on Saturday, September 10th at 1:00 p.m. As for Boardman (3-4) they will hit the road down 224 to Poland (4-3) next Monday, September 12th at 7:00 p.m. in a matchup with The Bulldogs!
Set Scores
Fitch 25 – 15 Boardman
Fitch 25 – 13 Boardman
Fitch 25 – 21 Boardman
Match: Fitch 3 – 0 Boardman
Stats (Austintown)
Kylie Folkwein (Player of the Game) : 11 Kills, 1 Ace, 9 Digs, 10 Receptions, 55.0 Kill%, .400 Hit%.
Jocelyn Jourdan: 14 Kills, 3 Aces, 1 Block, 9 Digs, 5 Receptions.
Afton Roby: 5 Kills, 2 Digs.
Jordan Smith: 5 Kills, 2 Aces, 8 Digs, 2 Receptions.
Rylie Simons: 3 Kills, 1 Ace, 7 Digs, 34 Assists.
Jordan Binion: 1 Kill, 1 Block, 1 Reception.
Lillian Dilts: 1 Ace, 5 Digs, 2 Assists, 6 Receptions.
Avery Rosko: 1 Ace, 1 Dig, 1 Reception.
Julia Jordan: 1 Dig.
*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell
CORTLAND OH- Lakeview faced a match with a hungry and scrappy Jefferson team on Thursday night. But it was the Bulldogs that got to eat, Ad they swept the Falcons and kept up their dominance in the NE8. (25-8 25-17 25-18)
Reagan Price took the team lead in kills on the night, arching into double digits with 12. Emma Schmader also had a great night as she finished with 10. Mallory Mailach set up the offense well with 24 assists. Maggie Pavlansky grabbed 15 digs on the night to lead the defense.
Jefferson was led by Remi Ryan who finished with 11 kills. Helaina Edgar put together a solid night setting finishing with 20 assists. Chloe O’Rourke led the Falcons defense with 10 digs.
Lakeview will continue their NE8 journey on Monday as they host Struthers. Jefferson has a non conference test on Saturday as they travel to Chardon.
In the 12th meeting all-time historically between The GlenOak Golden Eagles and The Austintown Fitch Falcons, it would occur on a humid Friday night in early September. Fitch came in sporting a record of 2-0 while The Golden Eagles were 1-1.
GlenOak struck fast, getting the opening kickoff and taking their first drive down the field and capping it off with a quarterback keeper from Adrion Burt for a touchdown. A missed PAT kept The Golden Eagles lead at 6-0.
Although they might be Falcons, Fitch got the job done on the ground, to the tune of 41 unanswered points over the span of the next three quarters, giving Austintown a 41-6 lead at one point. Senior running back Jamell James had 103 yards rushing and 3 rushing touchdowns in just the first half! As Jamell set the ton D.J. got the beat, as junior running back D.J. Williams grabbed 115 yards on the ground and a couple of scores as well.
GlenOak grabbed a couple of fourth quarter scores, with Avante Burt getting one on the ground and Cole Anderson tossing a touchdown pass to Xavier Harris. However, the deficit would prove to be too much to overcome, as Fitch secured another score on the ground to keep the running clock rule in effect and burn the time away.
As The Falcons earned the 48-18 victory over The Golden Eagles to get themselves another victory over a Division 1 opponent. Austintown (3-0) will now have a premier matchup, as they travel to YSU in week four to take on The Ursuline Fighting Irish (2-0). (Ursuline to face Farrell in a week three Saturday matchup.)
The Irish and Falcons are two teams that know how to put on a show, as a single point separated these two teams in an Irish victory a year ago. You can find that matchup and more on YSN!
Scoring by Quarter
Q1: AF 14 – 6 GlenOak
Q2: AF 21 – 0 GlenOak
Q3: AF 6 – 0 GlenOak
Q4: AF 7 – 12 GlenOak
Final: AF 48 – 18 GlenOak
Stats (Austintown)
Passing
Deshawn Vaughn Jr. : 6/6, 136 YDS, 22.7 YDS AVG.
Rushing
Jamell James : 7 CAR, 162 YDS, 23.1 YPC (Yards per Carry), 4 TD.
D.J. Williams : 12 CAR, 115 YDS, 9.6 YPC, 2 TD.
Deshawn Vaughn Jr. : 5 CAR, 42 YDS, 8.4 YPC, 1 TD.
Receiving
Jayden Eley : 2 REC, 60 YDS, 30 YPR (Yards per Reception).
Dan Evans III : 2 REC, 30 YDS, 15 YPR.
Dominic Perry : 1 REC, 30 YDS, 30 YPR.
Cam Smith : 1 REC, 16 YDS, 16 YPR.
Defense
Brian Robinson : 7 TAK (Tackles), 3 TFL (Tackles for Loss), 1 Sack, 1 Blocked XP.
Donovan Bell-Sullivan : 3 TAK, 2 TFL, 1 Sack.
Dan Evans III : 5 TAK, 1 TFL.
Bryant Butler : 4 TAK, 1.5 TFL.
Xavier Dahn : 4 TAK, 0.5 TFL, 1 FR (Fumble Recovery).
Rocco DiFlorio : 2 TAK, 1 TFL.
Christian Latone : 2 TAK, 1 TFL.
Kicking
Johnny Ruggles : 6/7 XP.
*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell