Tag Archive for: Football

SOUTHERN BOUNCES BULLDOGS

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SALINEVILLE, OH- Southern Local seized the spotlight during their solitary home football game in a span of five weeks, delivering an impressive 42-7 victory over East Palestine on a memorable Friday evening.

The Indians wasted no time making their mark, as Richie Sloan ignited the scoreboard with a dazzling 43-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, setting the tone at 7-0. Shortly thereafter, Ryan Exline showcased his speed with a remarkable 64-yard touchdown run, further extending the lead. Timmy Potts then exhibited his passing prowess, connecting with Markell Smith on a 31-yard touchdown strike that sent Southern ahead 21-0 by the close of the opening quarter.

The second quarter began with a defensive standout moment when Markell Smith intercepted a pass and dashed an astounding 80 yards into the end zone for yet another Southern touchdown. With a mere 2:24 remaining in the half, Ryan Exline found the end zone once more, this time with a 7-yard touchdown run, culminating in a commanding 35-0 lead heading into halftime.

The third quarter saw Ayden Frischkorn contribute to Southern’s impressive lead with a 20-yard touchdown run at the 9:47 mark.

East Palestine, determined to get on the board, finally found their opportunity with Owen Jurjavcic’s 9-yard touchdown run, putting them on the scoreboard with 8:50 remaining in the game.

Southern High School, now boasting a season record of 3-2, with a league record of 2-1, is geared up for their upcoming clash with Columbiana next Friday. Thanks to Lisbon’s recent upset victory over United, the Indians have surged back into contention and are currently tied for second place in the league alongside Columbiana and United. While Valley Christian maintains their league lead, they still have pivotal matchups against United, Lisbon, Columbiana, and Southern in the immediate future.

Meanwhile, East Palestine, with a season record of 0-6 and a league record of 0-3, is preparing to host Wellsville next Friday in hopes of turning their fortunes around.

MCDONALD PAINTS THE ‘LOO BLUE; ZAJACK GOES FOR FIVE SCORES

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ATWATER, OH- In a high-octane football clash between the McDonald Blue Devils and the Waterloo Vikings, it was McDonald who emerged as the dominant force, securing a convincing victory with a final score of 42-12.

The game got off to an electrifying start for McDonald as Drew Zajack, their quarterback, showcased his versatility by executing a QB keeper from 4 yards out, putting the Blue Devils on the scoreboard with a 7-0 lead. Zajack continued to shine, adding to McDonald’s lead in the first quarter by running in another touchdown, this time from 6 yards away, with just 17 seconds left on the clock, making it 14-0.

The second quarter saw McDonald extending their lead further as Drew Zajack once again displayed his rushing prowess, scoring an 8-yard touchdown to bring the score to 21-0 with 9:01 remaining in the first half.

Waterloo, determined to get back into the game, managed to put together their first scoring drive with 6:38 left in the half. Jayden Hakin, the Vikings’ quarterback, connected with Bobby Harouff for a 6-yard touchdown pass, reducing the deficit to 21-6.

After halftime, Drew Zajack wasted no time resuming his impressive performance, scoring a 14-yard touchdown run to extend McDonald’s lead to 28-6 with 7:00 left in the third quarter. McDonald’s offense continued to shine, this time through the air, as Kyle Puckett found Jordan Taylor from 6 yards away with 2:56 left in the frame, increasing their lead to 35-6.

Waterloo, not willing to relent, saw Jayden Hakin take matters into his own hands as he rushed in from 6 yards out, closing the gap to 35-12 with just seven seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Drew Zajack put the finishing touches on this impressive performance, scoring another touchdown just over a minute into the final quarter. His fifth touchdown of the game sealed the deal for the McDonald Blue Devils, resulting in a convincing 42-12 victory.

In the end, McDonald’s (4-2) stellar offensive display and Drew Zajack’s exceptional performance led them to this resounding win, leaving the Waterloo Vikings (2-4) with a tough outing on the gridiron.

TIGERS POUNCE ON THE BLUEJAYS

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* CONTRIBUTED BY JAMIE THOMSON

NEW MIDDLETOWN, OH – Under the Friday night lights, the Springfield Tigers roared onto the field to face off against the Jackson-Milton Bluejays. The crowd was abuzz with anticipation as the Tigers looked to make their mark on the gridiron.

The Tigers wasted no time in setting the tone for the game as a methodical drive led by their star running back, Gentile, culminated in a 7-yard rushing touchdown with 3:24 left in the first quarter. The extra point was good, and Springfield took an early 7-0 lead.

Springfield’s offense continued to shine in the second quarter. Quarterback Ruark connected with Guerrero on a 12-yard touchdown pass with 11:14 on the clock. The Tigers extended their lead to 14-0.

The Bluejays were determined not to be left behind. Milton, the Bluejays’ quarterback, orchestrated a precise drive that ended with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Stanke. With 3:37 remaining in the second quarter, the Bluejays were on the scoreboard, trailing 14-7.

However, the Tigers weren’t finished yet. Kosek, another powerful running back for Springfield, bulldozed his way through the Bluejays’ defense for a 5-yard rushing touchdown with just 54 seconds left in the half. Springfield headed into halftime with a 21-7 lead.

In the third quarter, Jackson-Milton managed to cut into Springfield’s lead. Conn nailed a 33-yard field goal, bringing the score to 21-10 in favor of the Tigers with 8:08 remaining in the third quarter.

But Springfield responded quickly. Kosek showcased his running prowess once again, scoring a 4-yard rushing touchdown with 3:09 left in the third quarter. The Tigers now held a 28-10 lead.

The Tigers continued to dominate in the fourth quarter. Gentile, their star running back, added to his impressive night with a 6-yard rushing touchdown with 4:13 left in the game. Springfield’s lead ballooned to 35-10.

As the clock wound down, it was clear that the Springfield Tigers had showcased their strength and determination on the field. Their offense, led by Gentile and Kosek, had overwhelmed the Jackson-Milton Bluejays, securing a decisive victory. The Springfield faithful left the stadium that night with smiles on their faces, knowing they had witnessed a memorable performance by their beloved Tigers.

GIRARD RACES PAST LAKEVIEW

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* CONTRIBUTED BY MATT MAHER

GIRARD, OH – It was a crisp autumn evening when the Girard Indians clashed with the Lakeview Bulldogs in a highly anticipated football matchup. The stadium was filled with fans from both sides, eager to witness the showdown under the Friday night lights.

From the very start, it was clear that the Girard Indians were determined to make a statement. Quarterback Tuff McConahy, the heart and soul of the team, led the charge. With 7:38 left in the first quarter, McConahy dropped back, scanned the field, and spotted his favorite target, Anthony Bengala. McConahy’s arm unleashed a perfect spiral, connecting with Bengala in stride. The result was an electrifying 84-yard touchdown pass. However, the extra point attempt by Andrew Whitfield went wide, leaving the score at 6-0 in favor of Girard.

The Indians’ offense continued to fire on all cylinders. McConahy once again showcased his precision passing, this time finding Stephen Sims with a 28-yard touchdown pass with 2:48 remaining in the second quarter. Unfortunately, Whitfield missed the extra point, but Girard extended their lead to 12-0.

As the game progressed, the Indians’ offense remained relentless. Early in the third quarter, McConahy connected with Anthony Bengala once more, this time for a 31-yard touchdown pass. Despite Lakeview’s best efforts, the extra point was blocked, keeping the score at 18-0.

The Girard defense played a pivotal role in the team’s success. McConahy, who was not only a stellar quarterback but also a formidable defender, intercepted a pass to give Girard the ball back. On the ensuing drive, McConahy handed the ball off to Ahmad Curd, who bulldozed his way into the end zone for a 9-yard rushing touchdown. To add to the lead, McConahy decided to take matters into his own hands and ran in the two-point conversion. Girard now led 26-0 with 11:35 left in the third quarter.

The Indians’ dominance continued in the final quarter. McConahy orchestrated a methodical drive that culminated in a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Stephen Sims, his second of the night, with just 38 seconds remaining. Whitfield’s extra point was true this time, pushing the score to 33-0.

With the game well in hand, McConahy still had some magic left in his arm. He connected with Mykel Collier-Dixon for a 5-yard touchdown pass with 4:55 left in the game. Whitfield’s extra point was good, bringing the final score to 43-0 in favor of Girard.

The Girard Indians had put on a football clinic, displaying their prowess on both sides of the ball. McConahy’s arm, combined with the tenacity of the defense, had proven too much for the Lakeview Bulldogs to handle. As the final whistle blew, the Indians and their faithful fans celebrated a resounding victory, knowing that they had truly dominated the gridiron that evening.

RED DRAGONS ROLL THE BEAVERS

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EAST LIVERPOOL, OH – It was a beautiful Friday night under the stadium lights as the Niles Red Dragons took on the Beaver Local Beavers in a thrilling high school football matchup. Both teams had been preparing for this game for weeks, and the excitement in the air was palpable.

The game began with the Beavers wasting no time making their presence felt. Quarterback Austin Cline took the snap, dropped back, and scanned the field for an open receiver. His eyes locked onto Keaton Heddleston, who had managed to slip behind the Red Dragons defense. With a quick flick of his wrist, Cline launched a perfectly spiraling pass that found Heddleston in stride. Keaton Heddleston raced down the field, and with a burst of speed, he reached the end zone for a 59-yard touchdown. The extra point was good, and Beaver Local took an early 7-0 lead at 10:34 in the first quarter.

The Niles Red Dragons were not to be outdone. They responded with a powerful drive led by their star running back, Anthony Budak. Budak bulldozed his way through the Beavers’ defense, eventually capping the drive with a 3-yard rushing touchdown at 4:11. The Red Dragons’ extra point attempt was no good, but they closed the gap to 7-6.

The Niles Red Dragons quickly struck again. On their next possession, Anthony Budak showcased his versatility by throwing a 34-yard touchdown pass to Kris Hrosae, who made a spectacular catch in the end zone. With the extra point, Niles took a 13-7 lead with 1:40 left in the first quarter.

The second quarter belonged entirely to Niles. Running back Antuan Gardner took over, scoring two rushing touchdowns in quick succession. The first was a 19-yard scamper at 7:44, followed by a 4-yard plunge into the end zone at 6:30. With each touchdown, Niles extended their lead, now ahead 28-7.

The Red Dragons weren’t finished yet. Joseph Smith added his name to the list of Niles scorers with a 15-yard rushing touchdown at 6:07 in the second quarter. The Beaver Local defense struggled to contain the relentless Niles offensive onslaught. With the extra point, Niles took a commanding 35-7 lead.

Just before halftime, Anthony Budak connected with Nathan Coots on a 60-yard bomb, adding another touchdown to Niles’ tally. The Red Dragons went into halftime with a commanding 42-7 lead.

In the third quarter, Antuan Gardner continued to shine, breaking free for a stunning 65-yard rushing touchdown at 10:55. Niles now led 49-7.

The Beaver Local Beavers showed their resilience by scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Brayden Hall punched in a 5-yard rushing touchdown at 1:41, bringing the final score to 49-14 in favor of the Niles Red Dragons.

It was a night of high-scoring action, with the Niles Red Dragons emerging as the dominant force on the field. Their offense, led by Anthony Budak and Antuan Gardner, put on a show for the fans, while the defense held strong against the Beaver Local Beavers. As the final whistle blew, the Red Dragons celebrated their impressive victory, knowing that they had left an indelible mark on the field that night.

 

AVIATORS FLY PAST SALEM

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* CONTRIBUTED BY JARROD NIEDERHISER

ALLIANCE, OH – The night was electric in Alliance as the Aviators clashed with the Salem Quakers in a highly anticipated football showdown. The Aviators were coming off a string of impressive victories, and the crowd was buzzing with excitement. Little did they know that this game would become an unforgettable chapter in the history of Alliance football.

The game kicked off with Alliance receiving the ball, and it didn’t take long for them to make their mark. Just 19 seconds into the game, Brendan Zurbrugg, the Aviators’ star quarterback, took the snap, dropped back, and then burst through a gap in the Salem defense. With incredible speed and agility, he sprinted down the field, leaving defenders in his wake. A 91-yard touchdown run set the tone for the game, and with Brendan’s successful extra point kick, Alliance took an early 7-0 lead.

The Aviators’ momentum continued to build as they dominated the first quarter. At the 7:18 mark, Brendan Zurbrugg struck again, this time with a 10-yard rushing touchdown. His extra point kick was on target, and Alliance extended their lead to 14-0.

Salem found themselves struggling to contain the Aviators’ offensive prowess. With just over four minutes left in the first quarter, Brendan Zurbrugg showcased his arm strength with a 70-yard touchdown pass to K’Vaughn Davis. Another successful extra point kick made it 21-0 in favor of Alliance.

The Quakers were desperate to get on the scoreboard, but Alliance’s defense proved to be a formidable obstacle. However, the Aviators were not finished with their scoring spree in the first half. With just over a minute remaining in the quarter, Brendan Zurbrugg delivered a 64-yard touchdown pass to Rahmir Hawkins. The extra point was good, and Alliance closed the first quarter with an astounding 28-0 lead.

As the second quarter began, the Aviators showed no signs of letting up. At the 8:26 mark, Brendan Zurbrugg connected with K’Vaughn Davis once again, this time for a 70-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was successful, and the score stretched to 35-0 in favor of Alliance.

The Aviators were firing on all cylinders, and it was time for other players to shine. Ravhan Hawkins got in on the action with a 6-yard rushing touchdown, and the extra point was good. Alliance was now leading 42-0.

The Salem Quakers were facing an uphill battle, but they didn’t give up. With just under a minute left in the second quarter, Ravhan Hawkins broke free for a 44-yard touchdown run. While the extra point attempt was no good, Alliance still held a commanding 48-0 lead.

In the third quarter, Salem managed to find the end zone. Marcus Phillips scored a 7-yard rushing touchdown, and with Troy Gibson’s successful extra point kick, the Quakers put their first points on the board, trailing 48-7.

As the game progressed, both teams fought hard, but it was Salem’s Derek Oesch who delivered a 37-yard touchdown pass to Will Harmon in the fourth quarter. With the extra point good, the final score stood at 48-14 in favor of Alliance.

The Alliance Aviators had put on a spectacular display of skill and teamwork, securing a decisive victory over the Salem Quakers. The night belonged to Brendan Zurbrugg and his teammates, who had electrified the crowd with their dazzling performance on the football field. The Alliance faithful left the stadium that night with smiles on their faces, knowing they had witnessed a truly unforgettable game.

 

BEARS MAUL PANTHERS

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* CONTRIBUTED BY NATE DICROSS

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The stage was set for an epic showdown between the Youngstown East Golden Bears and the Dohn Community Prep Panthers. Fans from both sides packed the stands, eager to witness the clash of these two high school football titans.

The game began with a burst of energy, and it didn’t take long for Youngstown East to assert their dominance. With 7:12 left in the first quarter, Thomas Davis, the star running back for the Golden Bears, bulldozed his way into the end zone with a 10-yard touchdown run. The crowd roared as Youngstown East successfully converted the two-point attempt, taking an early 8-0 lead.

Youngstown East’s offense was firing on all cylinders, and their defense was equally relentless. The Panthers struggled to find their footing, and before they knew it, Thomas Davis struck again. With 3:44 left in the first quarter, Davis powered through the Panthers’ defensive line for a 2-yard touchdown run. This time, the two-point conversion failed, but the Golden Bears extended their lead to 14-0.

Determined not to be left behind, the Dohn Community Prep Panthers came roaring back in the second quarter. Robert Kelly, their speedy running back, broke free on a 73-yard touchdown run, leaving Youngstown East’s defenders in the dust. The Panthers successfully converted the two-point attempt, closing the gap to 14-8 with 10:59 left in the second quarter.

But Youngstown East wasn’t about to let their lead slip away. Thomas Davis, proving to be a force to be reckoned with, scored yet again. This time, he powered his way into the end zone with an 8-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion was no good, but the Golden Bears were still ahead, now leading 20-8 with 6:57 left in the second quarter.

As the first half neared its end, Youngstown East decided to air it out. Quarterback Andrew Blackmon launched a perfect pass to Bre’Shean Buie, who sprinted 63 yards to the end zone. Although the two-point conversion was unsuccessful, the Golden Bears now held a commanding 26-8 lead with just over a minute remaining in the second quarter.

The third quarter began with Youngstown East showing no signs of slowing down. Daryan Brownlee connected with Tyris Davis on a 16-yard touchdown pass, further widening the gap. The two-point conversion was once again unsuccessful, but the score now stood at 34-8 with 8:06 left in the third quarter.

Youngstown East continued to pour on the pressure. Thomas Davis scored his fourth touchdown of the night with a 3-yard run, and this time, the two-point conversion was successful, making it 42-8 with 6:25 left in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Christopher Lacey joined in on the scoring frenzy with a 26-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion attempt failed, but Youngstown East had an insurmountable 48-8 lead with 10:33 left in the game.

The Panthers, undeterred, managed to find the end zone once more with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Javier Shockley to Larry Washington. However, the two-point conversion was no good, and the score was 48-14 with just 4:38 left in the fourth quarter.

As the final seconds ticked away, it was clear that the Youngstown East Golden Bears had dominated the game from start to finish. Their explosive offense and unyielding defense had secured a resounding victory, leaving their fans celebrating in the stands. The Youngstown East Golden Bears had once again proven that they were a force to be reckoned with in high school football.

AUSTINTOWN FITCH FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 5) WITH TJ PARKER

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AUSTINTOWN, OH- In today’s episode, we have a special Coach’s Corner segment featuring the legendary TJ Parker, head football coach at Austintown Fitch High School.

Join us as we discuss the team’s recent big win, their momentum going into the second half of the season, and the upcoming rivalry game against Ursuline. Coach Parker shares his insights on team dynamics, preparing for multiple talented backs, and the importance of living in the present moment.

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X GONNA GIVE IT TO YA

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AUSTINTOWN, OH-  In today’s episode, we have a special feature on Austintown Fitch’s very own Xavier Dahn.

The unstoppable force himself, Xavier Dahn. As a senior, Dahn has made a name for himself on the football field, and his intimidating presence is something to behold. But there’s more to this powerhouse than meets the eye. In our interview, we delve into Dahn’s mindset before a game, his approach to handling distractions, and the incredible support he receives from his coaching staff.

In addition, we explore Dahn’s aspirations for the future, including his plans to study sports management and communications. So sit back, relax, and get ready to hear the inspiring story of Xavier Dahn, as we uncover the man behind the jersey.

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DJ’S SPINNING RECORDS

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AUSTINTOWN, OH-  In this episode, we dive into the world of Austintown Fitch’s star player, DJ Williams. Join us as we sit down with DJ to uncover what makes his talent on the football field so special.

From his pre-snap reads to his thunderous running style, DJ shares the secrets behind his success. We also discuss his confidence, his transition from quarterback to running back, and the importance of the upcoming game against Ursuline.

Tune in to hear how DJ and his team have used an early season loss as a springboard, and how they are leaving it all on the field every week.

Plus, DJ opens up about his passion for the game and his upcoming journey to play college football at Ball State. And finally, we couldn’t resist asking DJ about his gaming skills, and whether we can expect to see him dominating on the virtual gridiron as well.

Get ready for an inspiring and insightful look into the life and career of DJ Williams, only on YSN.

 

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