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EAGLES SOAR IN THRILLER OVER BL

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HUBBARD, OH- In another tense encounter within the Northeast 8 division, Beaver Local faced off against Hubbard, but the Beavers’ struggles against the NE8 persisted as Hubbard’s Garland Warren sealed the game with a 5-yard touchdown run, securing a 29-25 victory for the Eagles with just 1:08 left on the clock.

Beaver Local, entering the game with a 4-2 record, found themselves in familiar territory, as this marked the third of four matchups against Northeast 8 opponents this season, with all previous games resulting in defeats, including encounters against Struthers and Niles. On the other side, Hubbard improved to a matching 4-3 record.

The game unfolded with both teams exchanging blows on the scoreboard:

Beaver Local drew first blood in the opening quarter, as senior quarterback Austin Cline connected with Brock Severs for a 14-yard touchdown pass, establishing a 7-0 lead.

Hubbard quickly responded, with Garland Warren rushing for a 10-yard touchdown, and the Eagles added a successful two-point conversion, taking an 8-7 lead with 1:45 remaining in the first quarter.

Warren continued to shine in the second quarter, breaking free for a 47-yard touchdown run, extending Hubbard’s lead to 15-7.

Beaver Local refused to be outdone, as Cline scored on a 5-yard touchdown run with just 1:02 left in the second quarter. The Beavers added a two-point conversion, sending both teams into halftime with a tied score of 15-15.

Hubbard regained the lead in the third quarter, as Alex Hackwelder executed a 1-yard keeper, making it 22-15 in favor of the Eagles. However, Beaver Local responded swiftly, with Brock Severs returning the ensuing kickoff an impressive 95 yards to tie the game at 22-22 with 7:02 left in the third quarter.

Kaleb Mays added a 21-yard field goal for Beaver Local with just 12 seconds remaining in the third quarter, giving the Beavers a brief lead of 25-22.

Ultimately, the late-game heroics of Garland Warren for Hubbard secured the victory for the Eagles, ending Beaver Local’s hopes of a comeback.

As Beaver Local prepares for their next challenge, a road game against Indian Creek, they will look for the comforts of their conference schedule to close out the year.

RED RAIDERS TOO MUCH FOR MUSTANGS

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Painesville, OH- In a challenging matchup against the Harvey Red Raiders, the Grand Valley Mustangs found themselves facing an uphill battle right from the opening kickoff. The first quarter began with Harvey’s Shaun Alston breaking free for an impressive 70-yard rushing touchdown, setting the tone for the game. Adding insult to injury, Harvey successfully executed a 2-point conversion, quickly putting them ahead 8-0.

The Mustangs continued to struggle as Harvey’s special teams took center stage. Davon Bradley’s breathtaking 90-yard punt return for a touchdown, coupled with Tyshawn Vance’s accurate extra point kick, extended Harvey’s lead to 15-0 with 7:11 left in the first quarter. Things took a turn for the worse for Grand Valley as Sammy Goforth’s pass was intercepted by Ish Jackson, who returned it for a touchdown, albeit with a missed extra point attempt. The score now stood at a daunting 21-0 in favor of Harvey with only 49 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

The second quarter brought no respite for the Mustangs, as Harvey’s offense continued to shine. Cavon Wise connected with Tyshawn Vance twice for touchdowns, first for 29 yards and later for 23 yards, both times adding the extra point successfully. As the clock wound down on the second quarter, Harvey held an imposing 35-0 lead.

The fourth quarter saw one more touchdown from Harvey, with Cavon Wise throwing a 33-yard pass to Chase Goins. The extra point was good, bringing the final score to a decisive 42-0 in favor of the Harvey Red Raiders.

The Grand Valley Mustangs (2-5, 0-2 CVC Valley Division) faced a tough loss, but they will have an opportunity to bounce back in week 8 as they play at home against the Cardinal Huskies (4-3, 1-1 CVC Valley Division). Meanwhile, the Harvey Red Raiders (4-3, 2-0 CVC Valley Division) will also play at home in week 8, facing the formidable Kirtland Hornets (6-1, 2-0 CVC Valley Division). The Mustangs will undoubtedly look to regroup and come back stronger in their next matchup.

BRANCH BLANKS MARLINGTON

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BELOIT, OH- In what turned out to be a historic matchup, West Branch celebrated its 400th football victory in school history by delivering a resounding 56-0 triumph over Marlington in a game that showcased both their offensive prowess and defensive dominance.

The West Branch Warriors entered the game with an impressive 6-1 record and a perfect 2-0 standing in the Eastern Buckeye Conference. Their defense had been on an incredible streak, securing their third consecutive shutout, a feat not seen since 1990. The Warriors were eager to continue their winning ways as they looked ahead to hosting Alliance in their next matchup, especially after Alliance’s upset loss to Carrollton, which also now stands at 2-0 in the league.

Boston Mulinix emerged as the star of the game, leading the Warriors with an outstanding performance. He carried the ball 16 times for a remarkable 197 yards, finding the end zone four times, including a historic 99-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, setting a new school record. Beau Alazaus also played a crucial role, passing for 217 yards and contributing three touchdowns through the air.

The scoring frenzy for West Branch began early in the game and continued throughout:

– Boston Mulinix kicked things off with a 2-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a successful kick by Eliza Hirst.
– The Warrior defense got in on the action as Zach Coffee returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown.
– Beau Alazaus connected with Jeremiah Thomas for a 42-yard touchdown pass, further extending the lead.
– Cooper Anderson added another touchdown reception from Alazaus, this time for 10 yards.
– Boston Mulinix showcased his versatility with a 20-yard rushing touchdown, his second of the game.
– Mulinix continued to find the end zone, this time with a 1-yard rushing touchdown.
– The highlight of the game came when Mulinix broke free for a historic 99-yard touchdown run.
– To cap off the impressive performance, Grady Close caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Jeremiah Thomas.

On the defensive side, West Branch demonstrated their dominance with an interception by Zach Coffee and a fumble recovery by Colby Smith. Additionally, they displayed a successful onside kick recovery by Lukas Black.

In contrast, Marlington struggled to find their footing in the game, tallying only 123 total yards of offense and failing to score any points.

West Branch’s victory not only marked a historic milestone but also showcased their excellence in both offense and defense, making them a formidable force in the Eastern Buckeye Conference.

QUAKERS FIND FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON

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MINERVA, OH- In an Eastern Buckeye Conference showdown, Salem secured their first win of the season in style, defeating Minerva with a dominant score of 36-7, and sophomore quarterback Gavin Colbert made a memorable impact in his first start under center.

Colbert showcased his talent by throwing three touchdown passes during the first three quarters, helping the Quakers clinch the victory at Hines Stadium on Friday night. This win marked Salem’s break from an eight-game losing streak, propelling them to a 1-6 overall record and a 1-1 standing in the EBC. Meanwhile, Minerva, struggling with a 26-game losing streak and an overall record of 0-7, fell to 0-2 in league play.

The Quakers opened the scoring in the game with two quick touchdowns late in the first quarter. Will Harmon was on the receiving end of a 21-yard pass from Colbert, followed by a 32-yard reverse run, pushing Salem ahead 13-0.

Salem’s defense played a pivotal role, recovering a Minerva fumble on the Lions’ first series, setting up the Quakers’ first score. The defense also demonstrated its prowess by snagging three interceptions, with Cyle Burt contributing two of them.

Marcus Phillips added to the offensive onslaught with a 14-yard touchdown reception, further extending Salem’s lead to 20-0 in the second quarter. Colbert, filling in for the injured starting quarterback Cletis Monroy, showcased his skills with 134 passing yards in the first half.

The third quarter witnessed a resolute defensive effort by Salem when Minerva threatened with a first-and-goal from the 3-yard line. The Quakers’ defense held strong, stopping Minerva at the 1-yard line on a crucial fourth-down play.

Salem continued to build on their lead, with Derek Oesch scoring on a 3-yard pass from Colbert, bringing the score to 26-0 with just over three minutes left in the third quarter.

Minerva finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter when Devon Patterson broke free for a 46-yard touchdown run up the middle, putting them on the scoreboard and crossing the 100-yard mark for the game.

Salem closed out the game with two more scores, including a 23-yard field goal by Troy Gibson and a 32-yard run by Marcus Phillips following Burt’s second interception.

As both teams return to league play next Friday, Salem will face Carrollton, while Minerva takes on Marlington.

EP BUSTS THROUGH FOR REFLECTIVE WIN

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- You’ve been able to see the progression all season, and on Friday the East Palestine Bulldogs were able to reflect on more than just their new chrome helmets, as East Palestine secured their first win of the season by defeating Wellsville with a score of 40-22.

The victory marked a significant milestone for East Palestine, who now stands at 1-6 for the season with a conference record of 1-3 in the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference. On the other side, Wellsville fell to a matching 1-6 record for the season, with a similar 1-3 conference record.

The game kicked off with East Palestine taking the lead as Owen Jurjavcic powered through with a 3-yard touchdown run, putting them ahead 7-0 with 2:53 remaining in the first quarter.

Wellsville responded with a touchdown of their own, as Clayten Kersey executed a 1-yard touchdown keeper with 10 minutes left in the second quarter, narrowing the score to 7-6.

Richie Dowling then added to the excitement, breaking free for a 24-yard touchdown run with 2:42 left in the second quarter, giving Wellsville a 14-7 lead.

However, East Palestine wasn’t ready to concede. Jesse Lipp’s 2-yard touchdown run with just 28 seconds left in the half leveled the game at 14, setting the stage for a competitive second half.

East Palestine surged ahead in the third quarter when R.J. May caught an 18-yard pass from Jurjavcic, pushing them into a 20-14 lead with 6:55 left on the clock.

Unfortunately, the game took a somber turn when Wellsville’s Clayten Kersey suffered an injury during a sideline run and collision, leading to a temporary pause in the game. Kersey was stretchered off the field, and our thoughts go out to him for a full and speedy recovery.

Despite the setback, East Palestine continued to extend their lead. Jurjavcic added another touchdown to his tally with a 9-yard rushing touchdown at 1:25 left in the third quarter, increasing their advantage to 27-14.

As the game entered the final quarter, East Palestine’s Noah McKay powered through the middle with a 16-yard touchdown run, widening the gap to 33-14 with 10:36 left in the contest.

Jesse Lipp sealed the victory for East Palestine with a 4-yard scamper into the end zone at the 6:21 mark, bringing the score to 40-14.

Wellsville fought valiantly to the end, with Richie Dowling contributing one last touchdown for his team, an 18-yard run with 2:37 left, closing the score gap to 40-22.

With this hard-fought win under their belt, East Palestine looks ahead to their next challenge, as they prepare to host Columbiana next Friday. Meanwhile, Wellsville will be gearing up to face United in their upcoming matchup.

RANGE DRESSES TO IMPRESS FOR HOMECOMING

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CANFIELD, OH-In another highly anticipated NE8 football matchup, the South Range Raiders clashed with the Girard Indians. The final score told the story of a dominant performance by the South Range Raiders, who emerged victorious with a commanding 49-21 win over Girard.

The game saw a flurry of scoring plays from both sides, especially late, making it an action-packed affair from start to finish. Here’s a breakdown of the game’s key moments:

**First Quarter:**
– South Range set the tone early as they forced a  fumble on the first play of the game, then later in the drive Tristan Toy scored a 2-yard rushing touchdown at the 8:43 mark, followed by an extra point by Logan Butcher, giving them a 7-0 lead.
– The Raiders continued their offensive prowess with  Blake Ewert finding the end zone on a 1-yard rushing touchdown at 4:18, again with Butcher successfully adding the extra point, extending the lead to 14-0.
– Girard responded with a scoring play of their own as Tuff McConahy connected with Stephen Sims for a 20-yard touchdown reception at 1:53, with Zachery Morris making the extra point, making it 14-7.

**Second Quarter:**
– South Range’s Tristan Toy threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Nagy at 10:14. Logan Butcher once more converted the extra point, stretching the lead to 21-7.
– Tristan Toy wasn’t done, as he scored an 11-yard rushing touchdown at 2:38, and Butcher continued to add to the scoreboard with a successful extra point, making it 28-7.
– Girard managed to cut into the lead with a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Stephen Sims at 0:07, and Andrew Whitfield made the extra point, reducing the deficit to 28-14 at halftime.

**Fourth Quarter:**
– The Indians showed their determination as Stephen Sims scored another touchdown, this time from 1 yard out at 11:43. Andrew Whitfield added the extra point, narrowing the gap to 28-21.
– However, South Range displayed their offensive prowess in the final quarter, with Tristan Toy scoring his third touchdown of the game, this time from 12 yards out at 8:50. Logan Butcher added the extra point, extending the lead to 35-21.
– The Raiders didn’t stop there, as Aidan Dominguez scored on a 9-yard rushing touchdown from the Wildcat formation at 7:53, followed by another successful extra point by Butcher, making it 42-21.
– To seal the deal, South Range’s Troy Combs found the end zone on a 5-yard rushing touchdown at 2:45, with Butcher once again adding the extra point, resulting in the final score of 49-21 in favor of the Raiders.

Overall, it was an impressive offensive showcase by the South Range Raiders, with Tristan Toy and Blake Ewert playing pivotal roles in their victory.  Ewert ran for 157 yards on 22 carries and had a score.  Toy racked up 60 yards on the ground with three trips to the endzone and also had an interception on defense.  Dominguez made the most his three carries with 14 yards and a score.  Brady Crumbacher, Tristan Toy, and Dylan Smesko led the way on defense with four tackles apiece.  Despite a resilient effort from Girard, South Range’s explosive plays proved to be too much to handle.

For the Indians, Stephen Sims led the way on the ground with most of his carries coming after an injury to Tuff McConahy in the first half.  Sims racked up 44 yards and two scores on the ground.  McConohy went 13/20 for 147 yards through the air while finding the painted turf once, and throwing two picks.

With this win, South Range improved their record to 6-1 and will go on the road to Niles, while Girard will look to regroup in their next matchup against Poland with a 4-3 record.

BLUE DEVILS ARE NO FLUKE

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LISBON OH- In another stunning display of skill and determination, the Lisbon football team secured a hard-fought 14-7 victory against Valley Christian. This win marked their second consecutive upset over a formidable opponent, solidifying their status as a team to watch in the season.

The 1st quarter was a defensive battle, resulting in a scoreless tie as both teams fought to gain the upper hand. However, the game began to heat up in the 2nd quarter when Valley Christian’s Ike Luke burst through with a 20-yard touchdown run, putting his team ahead 7-0.

The 3rd quarter brought hope to the Lisbon faithful when Trevor Siefke connected with Logan Stauffer for an 11-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the gap to 7-6 in favor of Valley Christian.

In a thrilling 4th quarter, Siefke and Stauffer became the heroes for Lisbon once more. Siefke found Stauffer again, this time for a 26-yard touchdown pass. Lisbon’s successful 2-point conversion gave them a crucial 14-7 lead that they would protect until the final whistle.

In terms of total yards, both teams fought hard, with Valley Christian accumulating 164 yards and Lisbon close behind with 189.

Key contributors for Valley Christian included Ja’Sean Lindsey, who rushed for 58 yards, and Deion Miller, who completed 2 of 5 passes for 75 yards, with Lindsey making a spectacular 58-yard catch.

Lisbon’s offensive efforts were led by Ashton Hinchliffe, who rushed for 46 yards, and Trevor Siefke, who delivered an impressive performance with 14 completions on 23 attempts, amassing 142 yards and tossing two crucial touchdown passes.

This victory showcased Lisbon’s resilience, proving that their previous upset was no accident. With a growing list of accomplishments, the Lisbon football team continues to capture the attention of fans and opponents alike, making them a formidable force in the season.

THE GARFIELD EXPRESS KEEPS ROLLING

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LIBERTY OH- In another dominant performance, the Garfield football team continued their impressive run, triumphing over Liberty with a resounding 42-21 win. Garfield’s offense showcased its explosiveness, while their defense proved to be a formidable force throughout the game.

The 1st quarter kicked off with a bang as Garfield’s Keegan Sell exploded with a 47-yard touchdown run at 8:29. Liberty swiftly responded as Tawann Tutwiler connected with Dawaun Moody for a 36-yard touchdown pass with 3:09 left on the clock. However, Garfield struck again with Sell’s remarkable approximately 80-yard kick return into the end zone, just 12 seconds later. All extra points were successfully converted by Ethan Bittence, giving Garfield the edge.

The 2nd quarter was marked by Garfield’s offensive prowess, beginning with Brandyn Bogucki’s explosive 56-yard rushing touchdown at 7:58. Keegan Sell wasn’t to be outdone, as he added another impressive 49-yard rushing touchdown with just 41.5 seconds remaining. The quarter ended on a high note for Garfield when Deacon Sommer received a 16-yard pass from Eric Geddes into the end zone with 15.7 seconds left.

The 3rd quarter witnessed Liberty’s Tutwiler breaking free for a 49-yard rushing touchdown at 5:42. However, Garfield quickly responded with a 15-yard rushing touchdown by Grandizio.

The 4th quarter saw Liberty’s Tutwiler showcasing his speed once more with a breathtaking 74-yard rushing touchdown at 3:08, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Garfield’s dominant performance.

In the end, Garfield’s balanced offensive attack and resilient defense proved too much for Liberty to handle. The final score of 42-21 reflected Garfield’s continued success and their ability to overpower conference opponents. With this victory, Garfield maintained their impressive momentum and added another win to their impressive season record.

BLUE JAYS BATTLE THROUGH SCRAPPY VIKINGS

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**Jackson Milton Secures Their 5th Win of the Season with a 19-6 Victory Over Waterloo**

In a hard-fought contest, Jackson Milton displayed their resilience and determination, securing their 5th win of the season with a 19-6 victory over Waterloo. The game was a testament to both teams’ defensive prowess, with standout plays on both sides of the ball.

The 1st quarter set the tone for the game, as Brayden Greathouse unleashed an 8-yard sack on Waterloo’s Jayden Hakin. Jackson Milton’s Leo Hines made a game-changing play with a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown at 6:40. However, the 2-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 6-0 in favor of Jackson Milton. Cayden Mitchell came up clutch with an interception at his own 2-yard line, effectively halting Waterloo’s drive.

The 2nd quarter saw Waterloo’s defense recovering a fumble at the 50-yard line at 11:44. They repeated the feat with another fumble recovery, this time at Jackson Milton’s 30-yard line at 8:53. Jayden Hakin capitalized on the field position, scoring an 8-yard rushing touchdown at 5:21. Unfortunately, the 2-point conversion attempt fell short, resulting in a 6-6 tie. The quarter ended with a crucial interception in the end zone by Waterloo’s Bobby Harouff at 0:11.

The 3rd quarter witnessed Jackson Milton regaining the lead as Keegan White powered through with a 4-yard rushing touchdown at 8:01, followed by a successful PAT by Sam Coon, making it 13-6 for Jackson Milton. Cayden Mitchell showcased his defensive prowess once again with an interception at 7:41. Waterloo’s defense held strong with a goal-line stand on 4th and goal at the 1 at 3:12, taking over on downs. Jackson Milton returned the favor, stopping Waterloo on 4th and 1 at the Waterloo 20 with just 3 seconds left in the quarter.

The 4th quarter saw Joey Zayas making a significant impact with a sack on Jaydin Hakin for a 5-yard loss at 2:50. Jackson Milton sealed the game with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Cayden Mitchell at 1:25, although the 2-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, resulting in a final score of 19-6 in favor of Jackson Milton.

In the end, Jackson Milton’s tenacious defense and timely plays on offense proved to be the difference-makers in this closely contested matchup. The final score of 19-6 highlighted their ability to rise to the occasion, securing their 5th win of the season in impressive fashion.

KNIGHTS FLIP THE SCRIPT AND RUN AWAY FROM WALSH

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AKRON OH- In a game that was expected to be a close battle, the Hoban football team flipped the script and turned it into a one-sided affair, cruising to a convincing 57-7 victory over Walsh Jesuit. From the opening kickoff, Hoban asserted their dominance and left no doubt about their superiority on the field.

The 1st quarter witnessed Hoban’s explosive start as Payton Cook connected with Jalen Hightower for a 52-yard touchdown pass, with Ryan Burns adding the extra point to give them an early 7-0 lead. The onslaught continued with Tylan Boykin finding Joey Hardman for a 35-yard touchdown pass, followed by another successful PAT by Burns, extending their lead to 14-0. Hoban’s defense joined the party as Tysen Campbell intercepted a pass and returned it for a pick-six, making it 21-0. The defensive pressure continued as Eli Lee forced a safety with a sack, further increasing the lead to 23-0. Caleb Jones then powered through with a 3-yard rushing touchdown, complemented by another PAT by Burns, setting the score at 30-0. The 1st quarter ended with Elber Hill IV’s explosive 42-yard rushing touchdown, and Burns once again added the extra point, making it 37-0.

In the 2nd quarter, Caleb Jones continued his scoring spree with a 13-yard rushing touchdown, although the PAT attempt failed, leaving the score at 43-0. Just before halftime, Jones found the end zone again with a 6-yard rushing touchdown, and Burns added the extra point.

The 3rd quarter remained scoreless, but the fourth quarter saw Hoban’s Deon Rodgers returning a 15-yard punt for a touchdown, with Jeremy Hammel successfully converting the PAT, extending the lead to 57-0. Walsh Jesuit managed to avoid a shutout with a late 6-yard rushing touchdown by Carlos Smith, and Freddie Marcell added the extra point, resulting in a final score of 57-7 in favor of Hoban.

In the end, Hoban showcased their dominance on both sides of the ball, leaving Walsh Jesuit with no room to mount a comeback. The final score of 57-7 reflected Hoban’s overwhelming performance, turning what was expected to be a close game into a runaway victory.