Tag Archive for: Jefferson

JEFFERSON SPOILS THE WARRIORS SEASON TO CONTINUE HISTORIC RUN

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NILES OH- West Branch came in to Saturday night with aspirations of pinching a ticket to the final four. After two seasons of coming to this very round and falling short, there were a lot of people who thought this was the year West Branch would break through. Standing in their way was an up and coming Jefferson team who had already gotten deeper in the playoffs than any team in their program had before.  On paper maybe it was a mismatch, but the Falcons never received that memo. They recovered from a fast Warriors start to come back and win a thriller 41-37.

the Warriors started the game with back to back touchdown drives. They were both capped off by 1 yard touchdown runs. Boston Mulinix ran in the first, then Dru DeShields followed him up. In what might have ended up being a difference maker the Warriors went for two both times, and failed to convert both times. What could have been a 16-0 lead was just a 12-0 lead. Those stops gave Jefferson some momentum as they finally got on the board with a Luke Funtash touchdown run from 5 yards out to close out the first frame.

After the first quarter, the two teams would trade touchdowns 3 times.  Grant Hitchcock ended that trend though as he took a punt return 75 yards to the house to give the Falcons their second consecutive score.  After DeShields would answer with a score of his own, Hitchcock struck again to go ahead for good. This time around he found pay dirt from 65 yards out.  Jefferson would go on to win despite being outshined 470 to 348.

Hitchcock ran the ball 20 times for 152 yards on the night.  He only needed to pass 9 times, he had 4 completions for 80 yards.  Trent Hodge gained 84 yards on the ground for Jefferson.

DeShields went 10/21 on the night with 178 yards, and he ran for 42 more yards to gain over 200 total for the offense.  Boston Mulinix did all he could gaining 250 yards on 20 rushes.

Jefferson advances to the State Semifinsls for the first time in team history. They’ll take on Glenville on Saturday at Canal Fulton Northwest High School. Kickoff is slated for 7:00.

 

JEFFERSON PUTS THEIR BEST FOOT FORWARD

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CANFIELD OH- Jefferson played maybe their best game of the season when it mattered most. On Saturday at South Range, a place that has been haunting for the Falcons in league play became a place of a fever dream as they beat Canton South 49-35 to earn a spot in the Regional Final.

The offensive game plan was simple, keep the ball as long as possible, and finish drives. The Falcons did just that. They dominated on the ground, and controlled the clock.  Grant Hitchcock ran for 191 yards and scored 6 touchdowns. The Falcon quarterback was also perfect through the air going 5/5.  The only time the Falcons had the ball and didn’t score was the last possession of the game where they iced the game in victory formation. Jefferson held a 28-7 lead at half, after Canton South scored out of halftime, the Falcons responded with a 10 minute drive spanning 76 yards and ending in a touchdown.  It was the defining drive of the game.

Jefferson will advance to the Regional Final just one step away from state. It won’t be an easy step though as they region’s top team West Branch awaits.  That game will be played Saturday at 7:00 at Niles.

FALCON FEVER KEEPS GROWING

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GIRARD, OH- In round 2 of Division IV, Region 13 we got a matchup between two familiar foes in Girard and Jefferson as the Indians hosted the Falcons. The Falcons, who are continuing their great season, looked to get off to a hot start against a strong Girard team that can get going at any time. Jefferson’s seniors, especially quarterback Grant Hitchcock showed that they did not want their season to end just yet with a gutsy win over Girard, 26-20.

Hitchcock started Jefferson off right with a 28-yard touchdown pass to receiver Kaige Boczar to go up 6-0. Girard would punch back with an 8-yard touchdown run by quarterback Stephen Sims, but Hickcock and Boczar would connect again to give the Falcons a 12-7 lead at half. To begin the second half, Girard forced a fumble and shifted momentum with an ensuing score on sneaky play by Sims, and Bobby Alejars who grabbed a sweep and found Anthony Bengala for a 30-yard touchdown pass to give Girard a 13-12 lead. Jefferson’s offense kicked it into the next gear after the trick play and scored on two straight possessions thanks again to Hitchcock. Girard would strike late, but time was not in their favor as Jefferson walked away with the victory.

Looking ahead, Girard will end their season with a 8-4 record. Congratulations to the Indians on an amazing season. For Jefferson, they will advance to round 3 and will take on Canton South next Saturday.

*Contributed By YSN’s Brendan Miller

HITCHCOCK NOTORIOUS FOR MAKING BIG PLAYS

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JEFFERSON OH- The last name Hitchcock rings through the halls of Jefferson Area High School. The latest installment of the legacy is current senior Grant Hitchcock.  Grant has had an immaculate career at Jefferson at the helm of the Falcons offense.  His brother Lucas ran the show, and in 2015 became the program’s leading scorer.  Grant spent the year chasing his brother’s record.  Now he has the bragging rights as he’s shattered his brother’s record with over 3,500 career passing yards.

Grant is very close to another season with both 1000 passing and rushing yards. That was one thing he was proud of last season. What is more important to him though is the fact that the team is winning this season.  The Falcons finished the regular season with a 7-3 record and have earned a home playoff game. They’ll host Poland in the first round.  Grant has always put team first. Through circumstances the team has faced this season, Grant has been asked to do many different things in the offense. He has spread out wide, sometimes he carries the bulk of the rushing responsibilities, and sometimes he just sits under center and does his thing.

Grant took the time to talk with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig to discuss his final season with the Falcons. They talk about what the team’s edge is this season, what he’s been able to improve at this year, and so much more. Make sure to check out the latest Jefferson Football Player Profile only on YSN!

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JEFFERSON SPOILS SENIOR NIGHT

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POLAND OH- Senior night in Poland as the Jefferson Falcons traveled to Poland as both teams are looking to increase their ranking in playoffs. Jefferson was able to come away with the victory. 3 different players for the Falcons scored rushing touchdowns. Jefferson wins 27-13 in week 9.

Jefferson started out their scoring second play of the game with a 56 yard touchdown run by Running Back Luke Funtash. Flacons with the lead in the early going. Second quarter was all Falcons as well. Kicker Jensen Yarosh made two fields from 30+ yards making the game 13-0 going into the locker room.

Poland would make the second half interesting. After Running Back Trent Hodge scored a 4 yard touchdown run for the Falcons, Quarterback Cole Fulton scored two consecutive rushing touchdowns in the third quarter for Poland making the game 20-13. It was all Quarterback Grant Hitchcock and the Falcons from there scoring the final touchdown of the game from 3 yards out. Falcons win 27-13. Poland will travel to Struthers next week while Jefferson will travel to Lakeview. Catch both games live on YSNLive.com.

* Contributed By YSN’s Anthony Melone