Tag Archive for: High School Football

RAMS BREAK LOOSE ON JACKSON MILTON

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NORTH JACKSON OH- Mineral Ridge kicked off their playoff campaign with a resounding victory on the road, defeating the Jackson Milton Blue Jays with a commanding score of 35-6.

Owen Shingledecker led the charge as the Rams’ primary passer, amassing a total of 84 yards through the air and connecting for a crucial touchdown. Shingledecker’s precision in the passing game proved pivotal for his team. Receivers Brady Balestrino and Ian Erb both contributed 42 yards, with Erb showcasing his hands with a touchdown reception.

However, Ian Erb was not content with just his receiving performance; he also spearheaded the Rams’ ground attack with an impressive 97 rushing yards and a remarkable three touchdowns. Jacob Russell joined the scoring effort on the ground with another touchdown, highlighting the Rams’ offensive versatility.

The Ram defense emerged as a standout unit, displaying both speed and physicality throughout all four quarters. Their control of the game was evident, ensuring that the Blue Jays struggled to gain any significant momentum.

With this convincing win, the Rams now look ahead to their next playoff challenge. They are set to travel to Rootstown, where they will face the Rovers in what promises to be an exciting showdown next Friday at 7:00. The Rams’ comprehensive performance in this game certainly sets the stage for an intriguing playoff journey ahead.

ROCKETS ARE BLASTING OFF

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LOWELLVILLE OH- In a round 1 showdown, Lowellville wasted no time in asserting their dominance as they cruised to a commanding 34-0 victory over Steubenville Central Catholic.

The first quarter was scoreless, but the second quarter witnessed a flurry of action. Lowellville’s QB Michael Ballone showcased his skills with an explosive 89-yard touchdown run, although the ensuing PAT was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 6-0. The Lowellville offense continued to shine as Ballone connected with WR Matt Lucido on a 2-yard fade touchdown pass, and RB Tino Rivera-Ocasio added a two-point conversion, extending their lead to 14-0. The momentum was firmly on Lowellville’s side as Ballone found WR Braylen Dabney for a 34-yard touchdown pass, making it 20-0.

The third quarter remained scoreless, but in the fourth quarter, Lowellville was far from finished. Ballone displayed his passing prowess once again, connecting with WR Bruce Brenner on a remarkable one-handed catch for a 22-yard touchdown. Rivera-Ocasio contributed another two-point conversion, stretching the lead to 28-0. Lowellville wasn’t content with just that, as Ballone added a 50-yard touchdown run to his impressive night. The PAT attempt was no good, but the score stood at a resounding 34-0.

With that, Lowellville left no room for doubt in their victory over Steubenville Central Catholic, ultimately closing out the game with a dominant 34-0 final score.

COLUMBIANA SEES THEIR SEASON END

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KIRTLAND OH- In a hard-fought football battle, Columbiana’s season came to a close as they faced the formidable state powerhouse, Kirtland. The scoreboard told the story, with Kirtland emerging victorious with a commanding score of 49-6.

The first quarter set the tone for Kirtland, with Gino Blasini making a statement with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Max Paul. Nick Barisic’s successful PAT put Kirtland ahead 7-0. They didn’t stop there, as Rocco Alfieri powered through with a 6-yard touchdown run, and Barisic’s PAT made it 14-0.

In the second quarter, Kirtland continued their offensive onslaught. Will Beers scored a 9-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 21-0. Rocco Alfieri added another 9-yard touchdown run, and Nick Barisic’s PAT made it 28-0. Will Sayle joined the scoring frenzy with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Jake LaVerde, followed by another touchdown pass, this time 18 yards to Gino Blasini. Barisic’s consistent kicking made it 42-0.

Columbiana managed to put points on the board in the third quarter when Craig Witherow caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Liam Surgenavic. However, the PAT attempt failed, leaving them with a score of 42-6.

As the final quarter commenced, Kirtland sealed their dominant victory with Evan Kaprowski’s 22-yard touchdown pass from Max Paul, and Barisic’s PAT. The game ended with a resounding 49-6 victory for Kirtland, signaling the end of Columbiana’s season in the face of a powerful opponent.

IRISH ROLL IN ROUND ONE

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By Tim Corso 


YOUNGSTOWN OH- Ursuline took care of business against New Philadelphia 42-7 on Friday night.

​It was the first round of the 2023 OHSAA State Playoffs from Stambaugh Stadium and the #1 seed Irish were looking to stay away from trap game versus a very competitive New Philadelphia squad that has missed the playoffs just once in the past 10 seasons.

​It was a battle of 1000-yard running backs with Christian Lynch and Etnie Richardson leading their respective teams in the backfield.

​While Richardson put together a solid performance, it was Lynch that stole the show. He reached the endzone three times, and almost knocked off as many helmets doing so.

​It started on Ursuline’s first drive of the game when Ericson found four different receivers in what would be a game-opening touchdown drive.

​One of those receivers was Tairan Davis, who Ericson connected with on a touchdown late in the first half inside the redzone.

​That was one of two touchdown tosses for Ericson. The other went to D.C. Ferrell.

​Ferrell finished his last game with 7 catches for 98 yards and a score and showed out once again in the playoff opener.

​While offense is all the talk right now, the stout defense forced a turnover and came up with a number of clutch sacks.

​Senior Ty’Req Donlow tallied three sacks for the game. Two of the sacks came on early fourth down plays that thwarted any hope of a productive Quaker drive.

​Ursuline (11-0) will host one last game at Stambaugh Stadium next Friday night against Mahoning County foe Canfield (7-3) in the second round.

​For New Philadelphia (6-5), they finish of its third consecutive 6-5 season with the loss.

​https://youtu.be/4IARu8eJbjk?si=AWkRzuVkkmGZ48gW

RAMS GET SECOND IN A ROW OVER MCDONALD

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MINERAL RIDGE OH- In a thrilling showdown, Mineral Ridge hosted McDonald and continued their recent success against the Blue Devils, clinching a convincing 40-7 victory. This win marked the second consecutive triumph for Mineral Ridge in their rivalry matchup.

The standout of the game was undoubtedly Ian Erb, who led the way for Mineral Ridge’s ground attack with an impressive 117 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Erb’s stellar performance showcased his skill and determination in the backfield. Quarterback Owen Shingledecker contributed to the aerial attack with 43 passing yards and connected with Ethan Pemberton for a 24-yard touchdown, adding to the Rams’ point total.

Brady Balestrino also found the end zone with a touchdown on the ground, demonstrating the Rams’ multi-faceted offensive capabilities. However, it was Mineral Ridge’s tenacious defense that stole the spotlight. They played with speed and physicality, swarming to the ball and allowing their rivals to score just 7 points. The defense also forced two crucial fumbles during the game, one recovered by Brady Balestrino and the other by Preston Holbrook.

With this impressive win, Mineral Ridge improved their record to 6-4, setting the stage for an exciting playoff run. The Rams will eagerly await the announcement of their next opponent over the weekend as they prepare for the next chapter of their football journey.

WARRIORS PUT THE FOOT DOWN ON SALEM

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West Branch Delivers Dominating 49-0 Victory Over Salem in Rivalry Clash

In the latest thrilling installment of their enduring rivalry, West Branch asserted their dominance in commanding fashion, securing a resounding 49-0 win over Salem.

The ground game was the engine of West Branch’s triumph. Boston Mulinix led the charge with 9 carries for an impressive 127 yards and three touchdowns. Beau Alazaus contributed 39 yards on 2 carries, while Garin Harlan carried the ball 5 times for 55 yards, including one touchdown.

Beau Alazaus showcased his proficiency through the air, completing 10 of 19 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown. He connected with Jeremiah Thomas for 3 receptions and 38 yards, while Joey Jackson proved to be a standout target with 3 receptions for a whopping 125 yards and one touchdown.

Joey Jackson’s impact wasn’t limited to the offensive end, as he recorded a crucial interception return for a touchdown, bolstering West Branch’s commanding performance. Not to be outdone, Jeremiah Thomas added to the spectacle with a 40-yard punt return for a touchdown, electrifying the crowd and solidifying West Branch’s dominance.

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/10-20-fb-west-branch-salem/10-20-salem-west-branch/101EOS1D/i-MdjSmZ6

LAKEVIEW FEELING GOOD HEADING INTO POSTSEASON

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EAST LIVERPOOL OH- In a season-defining matchup, Lakeview left a significant mark and gathered valuable momentum for the upcoming playoffs, securing a hard-fought 20-14 victory over Beaver Local.

Lakeview’s offensive firepower was on full display, with Boom Gillis leading the charge. Gillis carried the ball 15 times, racking up an impressive 212 yards and contributing two crucial touchdowns. The entire Lakeview offense displayed its prowess, accumulating a remarkable 412 total yards.

Thomas Eaton also played a pivotal role for Lakeview, making 20 carries for 148 yards, further emphasizing the team’s ground game dominance. On the defensive front, Andrew Brown stood out with three interceptions, showcasing Lakeview’s ability to make key stops.

On the Beaver Local side, Austin Cline played an integral role, completing 10 out of 19 passes for 139 yards. Cline contributed a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown, displaying his dual-threat capabilities. Beaver Local’s running game was spearheaded by Cline and Keaton Heddleston, with Cline accumulating 93 rushing yards and Heddleston being a reliable target with 5 catches for 60 yards, including one touchdown reception.

CLIPPERS ARE BACK INTO THE PLAYOFFS

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COLUMBIANA OH- In a thrilling football matchup, Columbiana secured their first playoff appearance since 2017 with a hard-fought 16-6 victory over Valley Christian.

Valley Christian made an early statement as Ja’Sean Lindsey powered through for a 5-yard touchdown on the Eagles’ first drive, putting them ahead 6-0. However, Columbiana responded in the second quarter with a well-executed play. Hayes McCoy orchestrated a shovel pass to Liam Surgenavic, resulting in an 18-yard touchdown that marked the Clippers’ first points of the game.

The third quarter saw the Clippers extending their lead as Kian Hartley bulldozed his way through for a 4-yard touchdown, firmly solidifying Columbiana’s control over the game.

LAKERS STAY PERFECT IN NAC PLAY

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Photo Credit: Kelly Summers

Windham, OH- In a dominant display of ball control and defense, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers secured an impressive victory against the Windham Bombers, blanking their opponents with a final score of 36-0. It was a statement win for the Lakers, highlighting their superiority on both sides of the ball.

The game kicked off with a bang in the 1st quarter, as Ryan Croston bulldozed his way into the end zone with a 9-yard touchdown run. The Lakers didn’t stop there, successfully converting a 2-point attempt to take an early 8-0 lead. Croston continued to shine, breaking free for a spectacular 42-yard touchdown run, though the 2-point conversion was denied, leaving the score at 14-0.

In the 2nd quarter, Ty Vickery extended the Lakers’ lead with a 5-yard touchdown run, but another failed 2-point conversion attempt kept the score at 20-0. The Lakers showed no mercy in the 3rd quarter, with Jayce Fulkman muscling his way into the end zone with a 6-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful 2-point conversion. The Lakers now led comfortably at 28-0.

The final quarter saw Luke Giddings recover a fumble and return it for a touchdown, further sealing the Lakers’ commanding lead. With another successful 2-point conversion, the final score was set at 36-0.

Pymatuning Valley’s quarterback, Ryan Croston, emerged as the standout performer of the game, scoring two rushing touchdowns and amassing an impressive 113 yards on the ground.

With this decisive victory, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers improved their season record to 7-3, maintaining a perfect 5-0 record in the NAC. Their next challenge will be in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs as they host the Crestview Rebels, who have a record of 5-5 overall and 5-2 in the MVAC.

Unfortunately, for the Windham Bombers, their season ends with a record of 2-8 overall and 1-4 in the NAC, as they failed to qualify for the OHSAA playoffs. The Lakers’ performance in this game surely left an indelible mark, setting the stage for an exciting playoff run.

EAGLES RUSHING ATTACK TOO MUCH FOR FALCONS

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Geneva, OH- In a difficult matchup for the Falcons, the Jefferson Falcons faced off against the Geneva Eagles, resulting in a resounding victory for the Eagles with a final score of 57-13.

The first quarter saw Geneva’s Luke Smith making his mark with a 10-yard touchdown run, followed by an extra point by Owen Pfiefer. This was just the beginning as Smith later added another 8-yard touchdown run, contributing to a 14-0 lead for Geneva. Bryce Peet joined the scoring frenzy with a 13-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 21-0.

The second quarter was no different, with Bryce Peet extending his influence with a 15-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful 2-point conversion. Jason Thrower added to the scoreboard with a 2-yard touchdown run, and Hayden Diemer continued the assault with a 3-yard touchdown run, bringing the lead to an impressive 43-0.

Jefferson finally found their footing in the third quarter when Jonathan Bissell broke through with a stunning 64-yard touchdown run, followed by an extra point from Jensen Yaroush. However, Geneva’s Ricky DiPetta swiftly responded with a 2-yard touchdown run, pushing the score to 50-6. Jefferson’s Kaige Boczar managed to score a 35-yard touchdown run, although the extra point was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 50-13.

The fourth quarter saw Ricky DiPetta with another touchdown, this time from 1 yard out, securing the win for Geneva with a final score of 57-13.

With this victory, the Geneva Eagles improved to an impressive 9-1 record, 5-0 in the CVC Lake Division, and are set to host the Hawken Hawks in the first round of the OHSAA Playoffs. Unfortunately, the Jefferson Falcons ended their season with a 0-10 record, 0-5 in the CVC Lake Division, after the loss to Geneva.