Tag Archive for: Featured

STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT; RAIDERS ROLL TO SECOND ROUND

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CANFIELD, OH- There are no questions as to why the South Range Raiders were ranked atop many opinion and computer-based polls.  The only question being asked was, would a 16 seed be able to sneak up on one of the area’s top dogs to start the playoff season?

South Range answered that emphatically on Friday night against Liberty with a 35-6 victory over the Leopards, ending Liberty’s 2022 campaign.

The South Range slinger, Billy Skripac would connect with Ayden Leon nearly effortlessly from 21 yards out to start the scoring at the 7:27 mark in the first.  Just minutes later, Tyler Remish would find the endzone from 4-yards out to put the Raiders up 14-0.

In the second frame, Aidan Dominguez ripped through the defense from 35 yards out, giving Raider fans flashbacks of his older brothers from Raider years past- the score put South Range up 21-0.  With 3:30 left, Skripac would strike through the air once again- this time to the other head of the three-headed dragon, Shane Lindstrom- this time from 20 yards out to put the Raiders up 28-0 at intermission.

That same combination of Skripac and Lindstrom would waste no time in the second half, on the first drive- connecting from 37 yards away on the left sideline, putting the Raiders up 35, and starting the mercy clock.

The clock would drip away the hopes of a Liberty comeback until the Leopards put together an impressive drive with 2:06 to go in the contest when senior Derek DeMattia tossed a strike to the endzone, finding Dwayne Moody from 20 yards out and putting an exclamation point on a solid season for Liberty.

Combined, the teams ran 96 plays, 55 for Liberty, and 41 for the Raiders.  South Range racked up 321 total yards to Liberty’s 168.

Billy Skripac only needed 8 pass attempts on the night, completing 6- 3 of which being touchdowns, and garnering 145 yards through the air, and adding another 14 yards on the ground.

Aidan Dominguez provided the bulk of the yards with 5 totes for 64 yards and a score.  Tyler Remish had 51 yards and a tuddy as well.  Blake Ewert also had a strong showing with 4 carries and 33 yards.  The Raiders had ten different rushers on offense throughout the night, showcasing their diversity in the backfield of strength, speed, and agility.

Lindstrom was the leading receiver with 4 receptions and 107 yards along with his pair of touchdowns.  Ayden Leon, JD Crouse, and Gaven Nagy each had a reception as well.

Defensively Tristan Toy had 7 tackles on the night.  Isaiah Slabach chipped in four tackles, and the bash brother duo of Bailey Ryan and Chris Colucci combined for 7 tackles, and two sacks.

Derek DeMattia went 13 of 26 for Liberty under center, accounting for 116 yards, a score, and a pick on the night.  John Lard had 12 yards rushing, alongside Dwayne Moody’s 9.  Tawann Tutwiler led the way for the receiving corps, hauling in 3 grabs for 51 yards.  Moody added 45 yards receiving as well for the Leopards.

South Range (11-0) will once again host next week, as they invite the Garfield G-Men to town for an All-YSN matchup.  That game will be available along with all the other games on YSN next Friday for $9.99 with the Power Pass.

GRZYB THE GREAT!

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STRUTHERS OH- The Struthers Wildcats have produced tons of talents in Mahoning county.  From Steve Belichick and John Gerak who played in the NFL, to A.J. Musolino and Robbie Best.  One player making his name known in the halls is senior running back, quarterback and receiver Alex Grzyb.  

 

Grzyb, a great student off the field and even a better athlete on the field, has been one of the stars on this Struthers team in 2022.  Early on, the season started with a one and four record.  Over the last five games however, Grzyb and the Wildcats have put on a clinic with five straight wins, two against NE8 conference rivals and the top teams in DIV region 13 in Jefferson and Girard.  

 

Grzyb is a two sport athlete in football and has also shown big promises on the baseball field in the past seasons.  This season, Grzyb has thrown for a touchdown with over 200 yards, has rushed for 888 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season and has had 246 receiving yards with five touchdowns as well as 88 yards on punt returns, returning one for a touchdown.  Some people can excel at one position, few can excel at two, even fewer can claim three. Grzyb’s goal is to take it one game at a time to lead the Wildcats to a State Championship once it’s all said and done.  The only state banner in the school’s gym is the 1978 girls basketball team.  But Grzyb looks to have two state banners of his own by the end of his career. 

 

On this edition of the player profile, YSNs Ian O’Brien sits down, discusses his football and baseball career, the family and their support and what to expect against Edgewood Friday.  The Wildcats will host Edgewood 7pm Friday and can be live streamed on YSN!!

 

*contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*

Presented By:

 

STRUTHERS FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 3) WITH JOHN BAYUK

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STRUTHERS OH- The 2000s era to now has been up and down for the struthers wildcats. After the 1999 season where the team finished 7-5 under Gary Zetts, the team went 12 seasons without making the playoffs until Curt Kuntz second season with the team. After Kuntz left in 2019 to be on the coaching staff for the Miami Dolphins under then head coach Brian Flores, the team needed a new leader. Bring in John Bayuk, who was the defensive coordinator under Kuntz the last three seasons. He also coached for the Campbell Memorial Red Devils under his father/ Hall Of Fame coach Jeff Bayuk who is now the head coach at Warren JFK.

His first season was tough when he was appointed as just two months in, the season for the wildcats and all high school sports looked to have been in jeopardy after the lockdown of the pandemic in 2020. The season did continue as planned a little differently with their only being six games and everyone making the playoffs. In his first season, the Wildcats finished two and five, losing to Salem in the playoffs 34-19. The next season, the Wildcats finished 4-6, missing the new 16 seed playoffs. This year, looked to have been the same, until Bayuk and his talented group of kids won five straight and last week beating Poland 35-7, locking them into the playoffs with eighth seed.

On this coach’s corner, Ian O’Brien talks with coach John Bayuk about the season, the big win to lock them into the playoffs and what to expect against Edgewood this Friday. The 8th seed Wildcats (6-4) will host the 9th seed Edgewood Warriors (6-4) 7pm at Laddie J Fedor Field. You can catch the game on YSN under NE8 and Struthers.

*contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*

Presented By:

 

 

JOURDAN SHINES AS 2022 PLAYER OF THE YEAR

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EAST PALESTINE OH- Volleyball season is wrapping up as we are having teams fight for a district championship.  There is so much talent spread out in the YSN family. That is why we still have four teams fighting either in regionals already, or in a district championship. With all the talent we see, there was one player that shined brighter than the rest.  Austintown Fitch’s Jocelyn Jourdan has been named the 2022 YSN Player of the Year.  What Jourdan has meant to this Falcon program can’t be expressed with words. She is not just a top tier talent, but also has been a tremendous leader.

Her numbers have absolutely spoken for herself.  No one has finished with more kills with Jourdan in the YSN family.  Her season total has hit 485 after her 35 kills in the five set district semifinal loss to Hudson.  She averaged 5.8 kills per set with 86 sets played. Jourdan is not just a hitter for Fitch though, Jourdan has been a well rounded player.  She has played exceptional defense with 276 digs on the season.  That led the team as well.  On the service line, Jourdan has notched 29 aces.  She also finished with 29 blocks on the season as well. Her value on the team goes way beyond numbers, but for sure her stats stand out as some of the best we’ve seen this year.

Fitch ended the season with a record of 20-5 and fell in the District Semifinals against Hudson. Congratulations to Fitch on an incredible season, and another congratulations to Jocelyn Jourdan the YSN 2022 Player Of The Year.

PENALTY KICKS PROPEL LAKEVIEW TO REGIONALS

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NILES OH- It was an instant classic between two quality teams on Thursday night in Niles. Waterloo came in undefeated looking to stay on a long awaited tournament run, and Lakeview looked to keep this incredible turnaround season going. As it turns outs 2 overtimes weren’t even enough to decide the winner. Still tied 2-2 after 2 extra periods the teams went into penalty kicks. Lakeview won the penalty kick round 6-4 to seal the district championship.

Kaira English struck first for Waterloo at the 29:03 mark. She got loose on a ball that squirted free out of Lakeview’s defense.  Lakeview responded before halftime as Anastasia Hall netted a goal off a corner kick.  Hall would strike again later in the first half Eliza Farr got the assist.  That was score at half time with the shots on goal even at 5-5.  English knotted the game back up pretty quick out of halftime off a Sydney Jackson corner kick.  Both teams showed off their defense the rest of the way until regulation ended.

In the first overtime, Waterloo goalie Sophia Wood made a great save that could have saved the game for the Vikings.  English made a good attempt on goal from an awkward position, but it sailed just wide.  In the second overtime, both defenses locked down not giving up any real scoring threats. The game would have to go to the most exciting part of tournament soccer, penalty kicks.  Lakeview made all 6 while their goalie Ava Hipple made an impressive diving save to her left to seal the deal.

Lakeview advances to the Division III Regional Semifinal against a familiar opponent.  They’ll meet up with Poland

RESERVE CANT GET BY CRUSADERS

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COLUMBIANA OH- Western Reserve came in to Thursday’s district championship game in Columbiana hoping to add another trophy to the school’s case. They had a big task in front of them though with Canton Central Catholic staring at them across the net. The Crusaders may be a Division IV team, but they don’t play a Division IV caliber schedule. Their experienced showed up as they swept the Blue Devils to win the district. (25-19 25-19 25-9)

Alyvia Hughes led the offense for the Blue Devils with 14 kills. She also dug up 8 digs, and 3 blocks. Madison Leone finished her senior season with a double double acquiring 11 assists and 10 digs. Raelyn Meyer led the team in assists with 14.  Aly Jones finished with 12 digs out of the back row.
Western Reserve ends the season with a record of 20-5.

TIGERS ARE HEADED RIGHT BACK TO REGIONALS

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LISBON OH- Wellsville carried a 25 game winning streak in to Thursday’s district championship game. They hadn’t lost since their first game of the season to Western Reserve. Their championship opponent McDonsld boasted a win against that same Reserve team this season. But this was a different Tigers bunch. Focused, and highly motivated the Tigers swept a very good Blur Devil team.  (25-19 25-23 25-20)

Strong finishes to each set seemed to be the theme for Wellsville. In a back and forth set one, Wellsville pulled away late to earn the 25-19 win. In set 2, they jumped out to a big 17-6 lead before watching the Blue Devils climb all the way back to tie the set at 22-22. However, from that point the Tigers scored 3 of the next 4 to win 25-23.  Plays down the stretch of set 3 would tell the story as well as the Tigers win their third consecutive competitive set 25-20.

District player of the year Presley Stokes showed up big for the Tigers all night. But her leadership shined brightest in the third set after a long stoppage of play, she kept the team calm and they forged ahead to take the sweep.  Wellsville has been here before so you can imagine that not much would phase them.

McDonald was in their first program District Championship. That is particularly impressive since the program started just four seasons ago.  The Blue Devils end the season at 20-6.  A fairly young roster only graduates two seniors, so expect even more growth from the Blue Devils to come.

The Tigers advance to the Division IV Regional Semifinals. They will be matched up with Ashtabula St John on November 3rd at 7:30 in Strongsville.  They’ll be the second game of the night.

 

THE GOLDEN BOOT

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CANFIELD OH- Senior place kicker and soccer player Joel Miasek joined us to talk about his senior season. Miasek has been money for the Cardinals this year nailing almost every extra point, while also drilling the only attempted field goal of the season. Miasek is kicking for the second consecutive year at Canfield, but is now the starter as the place kicker. Miasek talks about his workouts to get a stronger leg, along with his practice schedule to get better. Check out this player profile with senior kicker Joel Miasek brought to you by:

 

ALI’S KICKING CLINIC

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CANFIELD, OH- Senior punter and goalkeeper Ali Shalash sat down at Cocca’s Pizza to talk about his busy schedule during the fall season. Shalash is a member of the boys soccer team who had a tremendous season with a record of 10-2-6, while making it to the district semi-finals. Shalash also joined the football team for his senior year after some guidance from last years kicking squad. Shalash is the primary punter for the Cardinals, and has had a nice transition from soccer to football. He talks about some of the difference between kicking a soccer ball and a football, along with how he manages his practice schedule while playing multiple fall sports.

Check out this Canfield football player profile brought to you by:

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GIRARD GREEN LIGHTS IN TO DISTRICT TITLE

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JEFFERSON OH- Girard continued their impressive season with a big win over Aurora in the District Semifinals.  Aurora may have been the 9 seed, but coming down from Division one made this Lady Greenmen team now joke. Girard had to fight tooth and nail to come up with the sweep to advance. (27-25 28-26 25-17)

 

Lauren Pallone, and Bree Latell both were on fire for the Indians. Pallone finished the night 22 kills while Latell was right behind her with 20.  Latell was also efficient as an attacker hitting .457 for the match.  Allison Durkin had a fantastic day setting up 44 assists for her offense.  Bailey Walters led the team defense with 16 digs. Pallone and Latell both got doubles doubles with their defensive effort with 12, and 11 digs respectively.

Girard advances to the Division II District Championship on Saturday. They’ll square up with the second seeded Marlington Dukes. That big matchup is set for 7:00 on Saturday night at Jefferson High School.