Tag Archive for: Football

CANFIELD FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER WITH MIKE PAVLANSKY (EP 1)

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CANFIELD, OH- The Cardinals’ time has come to be in the spotlight across the country, and we at YSN are thrilled to be the new home for Cardinals athletics!

With the season beginning this week, our General Manager Steve Leslie checks in with the lead bird, Mike Pavlansky on what’s in store for 2020.

In this episode, Coach breaks down the obstacles that have been faced to get this season underway, as well as the coaching staff that has sacrificed so much to get to this point.  Coach Pav also breaks down who his role model is and the players you’ll hear on YSN this season.

All that and more on this inaugural edition of Canfield Football Coach’s Corner with Mike Pavlansky.

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BOARDMAN FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP. 1) WITH JOE IGNAZIO

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BOARDMAN, OH- The 2020 high school football season is about to get underway this week and Coach Joe Ignazio is ready to lead his Boardman Spartans into a match up against the Austintown Fitch Falcons.

YSN’s own Scott Knox had the opportunity to catch up with Coach Ignazio and talk about what the Spartans and his coaching staff are planning for the 2020 season, what he expects from his squad this week against the Falcons.

All that and more in this week’s episode of Boardman Football Coach’s Corner with head coach, Joe Ignazio!

 

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LIGHTNING LOOKS TO STRIKE TWICE

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WARREN, OH- When most were shut down in what they were willing/able to do since March 2020, Warren JFK’s Jesse Likens saw an opportunity when others saw obstacles.  Likens still had a bit of that taste in his mouth from the final snap of 2019 for the Eagles, and as most athletes do, used it as motivation.

Unlike most, however, Likens would put to the side most things that were convenient, and didn’t serve his mission: playing football at the highest level possible.

Jesse is a rare bird (no pun intended, Eagles) that prioritizes his education ahead of everything.  With the ultimate goal of playing on Sundays, Likens knows he needs the smarts to back everything up for the day that he chooses to hang up the cleats.

To watch this young man run is something special; it’s like watching defenses run in slow motion while he’s in fast forward.  While he is extremely proud of his speed and all the work that went into it, he values his football IQ even more.  That combination provided over 1500 yards on the ground, 13 touchdowns, and defensively had 93 tackles.

We had a chance to sit down with the newest Air Force Academy Commit for football, and discuss all things that spark Lighting to strike twice this season!

NE8 TO PLAY CONFERENCE ONLY SCHEDULE

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VIENNA, OH-In a press release this morning, Rob Conklin, the Commissioner of the Northeast 8 Athletic Conference detailed that the NE8 will play an in-conference only football schedule in 2020.

The release reads:

“The Northeast 8 Athletic Conference has committed to conference play only for the 2020 football season.

Specifics will be determined tomorrow at an 8:00 am meeting among school athletic directors and conference leadership.
The NE8 includes Girard, Hubbard, Jefferson Area, Lakeview, Niles McKinley, Poland, South Range, and Struthers.”
Being that there are 7 opponents and 6 regular-season contests, the league is expected to discuss to see who they will not play on a team-by-team basis.  According to the OHSAA proposal, teams are permitted to be eliminated from the playoffs and play-out a total of 10-game regular-season schedules if they fall within the dates mandated by the OHSAA.  So, you may see teams reschedule a game after the completion of their postseason.
At least for the time being, games that will not take place this season:
Canfield vs. Poland
Girard vs. East Palestine
Hubbard vs. Norwayne
Jefferson vs. Grand Valley
Lakeview vs. Kirtland
Niles vs. Howland
South Range vs. Springfield
Struthers vs. Lakeside
Girard vs. West Branch
Hubbard vs. Howland
Jefferson vs. Geneva
Lakeview vs. Liberty
Niles vs. Alliance
Poland vs. Boardman
South Range vs. Crestview
Struthers vs. Crestwood
Girard vs. Warren JFK
Hubbard vs. Shaw
Jefferson vs. Edgewood
Lakeview vs. Firestone
Niles vs. East
Poland vs. Howland
South Range vs. Canton Central Catholic
Struthers vs. West Branch

SEBRING FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH MATT SEIDEL

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- Second-year Sebring Coach, Matt Seidel has re-energized the football program in Trojan Country. A couple of victories last year have the Purple and Gold believing in themselves like never before heading into 2020.

Looking at some new cast members in the MVAC has some excitement built around the schedule as well, and with being the first football game in the state…The Trojans are “All In” on this season, and for the first time in some time, have a pipeline to choose from.

We get the scoop on the Trojans past, present, and future on the first-ever edition of Sebring Football Coach’s Corner on YSN!

INTERVIEW WITH YSU HEAD FOOTBALL COACH DOUG PHILLIPS

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EAST PALESTINE OH- Ron gets to talk to new head YSU football coach Doug Phillips on how the team is preparing for the season and how they’re staying focused during the current situation with COVID-19.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeduKrDlvig[/embedyt]

POLAND HOLDS SPRING DIGITAL SIGNING DAY

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POLAND, OH- Poland Athletic Administrator, Brian Banfield was able to keep the eyes of The Valley on his student-athletes this morning with a Digital Spring College Signing Day via ZOOM.

Recognized for their efforts in the classroom and in their respective sports were:

Maddie Pushay- Cheerleading (Bowling Green)

Mike Voitus- Football (Youngstown State)

Mikey Kushner- Football (Mount Union)

Zach Ellis- Football (Mount Union)

KICKS AND GIGS

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POLAND, OH- There are many in the Class of 2020 that can be sulking and saying “what would have been?” but for Poland football and baseball star, Mikey Kushner, he refuses to make excuses.

The senior standout signed his letter of intent to suit up for Mount Union this fall, and join the Purple Raiders on the gridiron.  Kushner will go with intentions to kick, but will train as if they can play him anywhere on the field.  Mikey was an asset to Coach Williams and the Bulldogs this year in the secondary, as well as hammering the pigskin through the uprights with his golden toe.

We caught up with Kushner and talked about his versatility on the field, as well as how things played out for him with the changes he had to face due to a pandemic.  All that and more on this week’s Poland Player Profile: KICKS AND GIGS.

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BE LIKE MIKE

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POLAND, OH- There’s game managers, and there are game-wreckers, and for the past few years in Poland, the leader of the wrecking crew was found in the trenches.  Defensively, Mike Voitus was able to lead the Bulldogs well into the playoffs while at the same time collecting accolades for the trophy case which included All-Ohio, NE8 Player of the Year, and YSN Big Dog of the Valley among many others.

With all the dust settled, Voitus was part of the spring signing class for Poland, where he along with 3 other classmates put pen to paper.  You won’t have to look very far to keep up with Mike, as he will join the regime of Head Coach Doug Phillips and the YSU Penguins in 2020.

We caught up with the standout D-Lineman and student-athlete, Mike Voitus for this week’s Poland Player Profile: BE LIKE MIKE.

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