Tag Archive for: High School Football

POLAND ESCAPES AT HOME IN OVERTIME

/in /by

POLAND OH- In a thrilling football matchup, Poland found themselves in a nail-biting overtime situation against Struthers. It was a battle that would be defined by one crucial defensive stop on a game-winning two-point conversion attempt by the Wildcats. Ultimately, the Bulldogs escaped with a heart-pounding 28-27 win in overtime.

The Bulldogs struck first, capitalizing on a Struthers fumble to take possession at their own 47-yard line. Poland’s offense methodically worked down the field, and quarterback Dom Pagano put them ahead with a 6-yard touchdown run, making it 7-0 Bulldogs with 4:45 left in the first quarter.

Struthers quickly responded after holding the Bulldogs to a three-and-out. Quarterback Jason Dukes connected with Devin Braham on a 56-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 7-7 early in the second quarter. Struthers added to their tally with Braham keeping the ball for a touchdown, taking a 14-7 lead.

Poland, not to be outdone, mounted a 57-yard drive before halftime. They capped it with a 1-yard touchdown run by Pagano, knotting the score at 14-14 going into halftime.

After a fumble by Poland, Struthers took a 21-14 lead on a 27-yard touchdown run by Dukes, just over a minute remaining in the third quarter. But the Bulldogs wouldn’t back down, responding in the fourth quarter as Cole Fulton scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, making it 21-21 with 10 minutes left in regulation.

The intense battle continued into overtime, with the score tied at 21-21. The Bulldogs swiftly took the lead in the extra period as Pagano connected with Danny Nittoli on a short screen play, putting them ahead 28-21.

On Struthers’ chance to score, Braham responded with a 1-yard touchdown to make it 28-27. The Wildcats lined up to go for 2 and win, but then we’re called for a fall start penalty which backed them up.

Struthers was not phased by the penalty. They were still determined to win or lose on one play. They executed a tricky looking play call, snapping the ball to Najier Howard, who then handed it off to Dukes in the backfield. Dukes then scrambled to his left and tried to find a receiver in pay dirt, but it fell incomplete, sealing the thrilling 28-27 victory for the Bulldogs.

FITCH WINS ANOTHER WILD ONE OVER HARDING

/in /by

WARREN OH- In an exhilarating football showdown, Fitch once again delivered a wild win over Warren Harding, staging a remarkable comeback from a 13-0 halftime deficit to secure a nail-biting 14-13 victory.

The first quarter remained scoreless, with both teams testing each other’s defenses. The second quarter, however, witnessed Warren Harding taking the lead with Javonte Jones breaking free for a 36-yard touchdown run, and Jake Daugherty successfully converting the extra point, establishing a 7-0 advantage. Harding continued their offensive prowess as Ryan Powell executed a 4-yard touchdown run, although Fitch’s Davion Pritchard managed to block the extra point, leaving the score at 13-0 in favor of Harding.

The third quarter marked a turning point in the game as Fitch’s Deon’Dray Richard bulldozed his way through for a 3-yard touchdown run. Anthony Ruggles converted the extra point, bringing Fitch back into the game at 13-7. The highlight of the match came as DeShawn Vaughn Jr. connected with Junie Higgs for a 15-yard touchdown pass at 5:18, with Ruggles once again converting the extra point, swinging the lead in favor of Fitch at 14-13.

The final moments were packed with intense defensive plays, as Fitch’s Rocco Diflorio forced a fumble, which was expertly recovered by Davion Pritchard. Dan Evans III made a crucial play, blocking a field goal attempt from 32 yards. Dylan Krohn contributed with an interception, securing Fitch’s lead.

On the other side, Warren Harding’s DeShawn Wynn forced a fumble and made an important recovery, while Tyler Smith managed to secure an interception.

SPARTANS FALL TO BLUE STREAKS ON THE ROAD

/in , /by

Photo Credit: Noelle Nunes

Madison, OH- In a hard-fought game under the Friday night lights in Madison, the Conneaut Spartans faced off against a tough opponent, the Madison Blue Streaks. The final score read Madison 27, Conneaut 18, but the story of the game was much more than numbers on the scoreboard.

The first quarter saw Madison’s Carson Alley punch in a 2-yard touchdown run, followed by an extra point by Ben Amos, putting Madison ahead 7-0. They didn’t stop there, as Dominic Lawrence connected with Knolan Albert on a 42-yard touchdown pass, extending their lead to 14-0.

The second quarter wasn’t any easier for Conneaut, with Carson Alley breaking free for a 34-yard touchdown run. Madison was clicking on all cylinders, leading 21-0. But Conneaut wasn’t ready to give up, as Wyatt Payne managed to find the end zone with a 3-yard touchdown run, although the two-point conversion fell short. The halftime score was 21-6 in favor of Madison.

In the third quarter, the Blue Streaks continued to make their mark with Carson Alley tossing a 22-yard touchdown pass to Mac Steele, though they missed the extra point, leaving the score at 27-6. Conneaut kept battling as Wyatt Payne scored another 4-yard touchdown run, but, once again, the two-point conversion was no good, making it 27-12.

The fourth quarter saw the Spartans refuse to go quietly into the night. Max Gleason connected with Bryce Spurlin on a 34-yard touchdown pass, and although the two-point conversion fell short, Conneaut managed to narrow the gap to 27-18.

The final score may not have gone in the Spartans’ favor, but the heart and determination they displayed are a testament to their grit and spirit. Their 5-5 season record was enough to secure a spot in the OHSAA playoffs, and they’ll likely face the Garrettsville Garfield G-Men in a rematch from the 2022 playoffs. On the other side, the Madison Blue Streaks, with their 8-2 season record, are set to take on the Gilmour Academy Lancers (8-2) in the first round of the playoffs.

MOHAWK SETS UP HUGE MATCHUP NEXT WEEK

/in /by

NEW CASTLE OH- In a critical showdown on Friday night, Mohawk’s football team took care of business against West Beaver, setting the stage for a huge matchup in the upcoming week against Neshannock. The game had its share of exciting moments, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination.

The first quarter saw Mohawk making an early statement with a touchdown by AJ Verdi, setting the tone for the game. In the second quarter, the action heated up with a pick-six by West Beaver’s Mikey Crawford, displaying their defensive prowess. Mohawk, however, was quick to respond as Justin Boston rushed for a touchdown, regaining the lead. The first half ended with a spectacular 45-yard field goal by Mohawk’s kicker, Josh Wilkins, showing off his accuracy and leg strength.

The excitement continued into the third quarter when Mohawk’s Bobby Fadden made a jaw-dropping one-handed catch for a touchdown, leaving the crowd in awe. West Beaver wasn’t ready to back down, and Tyson Florence rushed for a touchdown of their own, ensuring a competitive match. The game concluded with Mohawk securing a well-earned 31-21 victory.

 

NEWTON FALLS SURVIVES CRAZY ENDING

/in /by

WARREN OH- In an exhilarating conclusion to their season, Newton Falls found themselves on the brink of a wild finish against Champion. When the dust settled, they emerged with a hard-fought 19-14 victory. The opening quarter saw Newton Falls take the lead as Carter Rapczazk delivered a perfectly placed 35-yard touchdown pass to Nick Moss, establishing a 7-0 advantage. The second quarter added to their momentum, with Rapczazk taking charge once again with a 12-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 13-0. Rapczak’s defensive contribution couldn’t be overlooked as he intercepted a pass, granting the Tigers possession. However, Champion responded with a fumble recovery by Zach Morris, giving them a chance to counter.

In the third quarter, Rapczak showcased his versatility by executing a spectacular 43-yard touchdown run, pushing Newton Falls further ahead with a score of 19-0. The fourth quarter, however, saw Champion making a spirited comeback as Christian Williams found the end zone with a 20-yard touchdown run, closing the gap to 19-7. Williams continued his impressive performance with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tony Smith, making it 19-14 and setting the stage for a thrilling finish.

Champion mounted a last-ditch effort, as Ethan Ray executed a blocked punt, giving them hope. The game’s dramatic conclusion came with Williams securing an interception, sealing the 19-14 victory for Newton Falls. It was a fitting end to the season, characterized by intense competition and a thrilling finish, and it was Newton Falls who celebrated their hard-earned win when the final whistle blew.

CRESTVIEW BRINGS OUT THEIR BEST

/in /by

COLUMBIANA OH- In a highly anticipated Week 10 matchup, Crestview brought their A-game, creating problems for LaBrae as they emerged victorious with a commanding 28-7 win. The first quarter saw LaBrae taking an early lead when Treyton Derry executed a 14-yard touchdown run at 6:14. However, Crestview responded swiftly, with Max Hawkins mirroring the feat with his own 14-yard touchdown run, bringing the score level at 7-7 with 3:31 remaining in the quarter. The second quarter remained scoreless, setting the stage for a decisive second half.

Crestview seized control in the third quarter, with Max Hawkins proving to be a game-changer once again. He embarked on an 18-yard touchdown run at 7:12, granting Crestview a 14-7 lead. The momentum continued as Mikey Proctor broke free for an electrifying 76-yard touchdown run at 3:52, extending Crestview’s lead to 21-7.

The final quarter saw no let-up from Crestview. Max Hawkins added the finishing touch with a 16-yard touchdown run at 3:29, sealing the game at 28-7. The final whistle confirmed Crestview’s well-deserved victory, a result of their impressive performance and an outstanding effort on both sides of the ball.

HOBAN SUFFERS FIRST LOSS OF THE YEAR

/in /by

In a highly anticipated Week 10 matchup, Hoban, who entered the game undefeated, faced off against St. Edward’s in a defensive battle that would ultimately hand Hoban their first loss of the year. The final score stood at 14-7 in favor of St. Edward’s.

The first quarter saw a significant play from Hoban as Eli Lee intercepted a pass and returned it for a pick-six, with Ryan Burns successfully converting the PAT to give Hoban an early 7-0 lead. In the second quarter, St. Edward’s responded with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Kellen Moyer, and the PAT was good, leveling the score at 7-7.

The third quarter remained scoreless, setting the stage for a decisive fourth quarter. St. Edward’s seized the moment when Brandon White scored a 13-yard rushing touchdown, with Kellen Moyer again converting the PAT to secure the 14-7 victory for St. Edward’s.

CHANEY WINS CLASH IN YOUNGSTOWN

/in /by

YOUNGSTOWN OH- In a Week 10 showdown between Youngstown rivals, Chaney delivered a resounding 35-6 victory over East.

The first quarter set the tone for the game, with Matt Jones making his presence known with a 7-yard touchdown run at 6:37, followed by a second touchdown run of the same length just four seconds before the quarter’s end, both capped off with successful PATs, setting Chaney ahead 14-0. The second quarter continued the trend, with Jones extending his scoring spree with a 13-yard touchdown run at 5:59 and a 2-yard run at 1:30, each accompanied by successful PATs, pushing the lead to a commanding 28-0.

The third quarter remained scoreless, but the fourth quarter saw Bryson Douglas contribute with an 11-yard touchdown run at 8:20, again with a successful PAT, increasing the lead to 35-0. East managed to break the silence late in the game with Andrew Blackmon connecting with Jose Castro for an 8-yard touchdown pass at 1:45, although the two-point conversion was unsuccessful, resulting in a final score of 35-6.

 

ROCKETS GET TO SILENCE SPRINGFIELD

/in /by

By Eric Hughes 

LOWELLVILLE OH- Lowellville defeats Springfield, 27-13, to clinch back-to-back MVAC titles.

Lowellville got off to a fast start, as Tino Rivera-Ocasio capped off their opening drive with a 9-yard touchdown run. Matt Lucido made the PAT to give Lowellville an early 7-0 lead.

Lowellville struck again in the second quarter, as Michael Ballone threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to Braylen Dabney to give the Rockets a 13-0 lead.

Lowellville’s defense stood tall and held Springfield scoreless in the first half, but gave up a 12-yard touchdown run by Springfield star running back Dante Gentile in the final seconds of the third quarter. Kasen Kosek made the PAT to cut the deficit to 13-7.

Lowellville’s offense struggled to finish drives for most of the second half, but their defense buckled down and gave Michael Ballone the chance to score two rushing touchdowns on back-to-back drives late in the fourth quarter to give the Rockets a 27-7 lead with 52 seconds left to play.

Springfield’s offense was able to gain some momentum going into the playoffs, as Kolten Ruark threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Sean Guerriero on the final play of regulation.

SOUTHERN STRIKES FAST IN WEEK TEN

/in /by

Southern’s Week 10 showdown at home against Leetonia turned into an unrelenting display of dominance as they secured a commanding 47-0 victory.

The first quarter set the stage for Southern’s triumph, with a series of rapid touchdowns. Timmy Potts initiated the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run, giving Southern an early 7-0 lead just 10 minutes and 36 seconds into the game. Ayden Frischkorn added to the onslaught, breaking free for a 10-yard touchdown run at 9:31. Ryan Exline’s 5-yard touchdown run, although the PAT was blocked, stretched the lead to 20-0 with 5:27 left in the first quarter. Landen Heffner then joined the party, with a 15-yard touchdown run and an explosive 55-yard touchdown dash, bringing the score to 33-0 and concluding a dominant first quarter.

Heffner was far from finished, adding a 39-yard touchdown run with 3:19 left in the second quarter. Southern continued their dominance into the third quarter when Colton Spahlinger sealed the game with a 3-yard touchdown run, resulting in the final score of 47-0.

On the Leetonia side, Cameron Roller’s performance was a bright spot, as he set a program single-season tackle record with an impressive total of 106 tackles.