Tag Archive for: Niles Red Dragons

NILES’ GARDNER RED HOT IN WIN OVER WARRIORS

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Niles, OH- In a 1st round playoff matchup, the Niles Red Dragons came out on top with a resounding victory over the Edgewood Warriors, with a final score of 65-28. The Red Dragons, now boasting a 7-4 record, advance to the second round of the OHSAA playoffs, where they’ll face off against the formidable Mentor Lake Catholic Cougars, who hold a 9-2 record. Unfortunately for the Edgewood Warriors, their season has come to an end following this loss, concluding with a 6-5 record.

The star of the game was undoubtedly Niles’ standout running back, Antuan Gardner, who had a record-breaking performance. Gardner carried the team on his back, rushing for an astounding 471 yards and scoring an incredible 6 touchdowns. His performance ranks among the best in Ohio high school football history, landing him as the 11th all-time leading rusher in the state. Gardner’s incredible feat will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.

The game itself was a rollercoaster of excitement, with both teams showcasing their offensive prowess. It began with an early hiccup for Niles as Gardner fumbled, and Edgewood capitalized, recovering the ball on the 5-yard line. This mistake led to Edgewood’s first touchdown, a 2-yard pass from Tony Hall to Jacob Ernst. The ensuing extra point by Samuel Linder was good, putting Edgewood ahead 7-0.

However, Niles quickly rebounded with Antuan Gardner leading the way. Gardner scored two 6-yard touchdowns in quick succession, both accompanied by successful extra point attempts, swinging the score to 14-7 in favor of Niles. In the second quarter, Gardner continued to dominate, breaking free for a 44-yard touchdown run, extending Niles’ lead to 21-7.

Edgewood wasn’t backing down, with Tony Hall and Jacob Ernst connecting again for a 2-yard touchdown pass, but Niles’ Anthony Budak answered with a spectacular 60-yard pass to Joe Smith for another Red Dragons touchdown. The score was now 28-14.

As the game progressed, both teams continued to put points on the board. Edgewood’s Tony Hall threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Hunt, while Niles’ Anthony Georgalas nailed a 37-yard field goal, making it 28-45 in Niles’ favor. Antuan Gardner continued to impress, scoring a 1-yard touchdown run and setting a new school record in the process.

The game reached its climax with Niles dominating the third quarter, sealing their victory with a 63-yard touchdown run by Donte Williams and a spectacular 82-yard touchdown run by Gardner. The final score stood at 65-28, securing Niles’ spot in the next round of the playoffs and etching Gardner’s name into the annals of both Niles and Ohio high school football history with 471 yards.

It was a memorable game for the Niles Red Dragons, and their fans will be eagerly anticipating their upcoming clash with the Mentor Lake Catholic Cougars in the next round of the playoffs.

SENIORS SHINE IN RAIDERS HOME FINALE

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The energy inside the South Range gymnasium was simply different on Thursday night. The three seniors on the team were honored before the match started. Each of them wanted to end their careers in their home gym with a positive note. They did just that with a three set win over Niles (25-18 25-23 25-16).

The Raiders came out swinging right away. They were able to hit an outstanding .408 hitting percentage in the opening set. Led by Anna Primavera with 7 kills in that set alone. The Raiders were also a force on the block from the beginning, whether it was Izzy Lamparty or Abby George, the Dragons struggled to get through the Raiders front row. Niles has very scrappy defense that kept things close. However, a late Raider rally gave them a 25-18 win in the first stanza.

The second set was by far the most exciting. Neither team had a lead that was greater than 3. Both teams were finding holes in the other’s defense. Truly a back and forth affair. With the score tied 23-23 the Raiders went to Anna Primavera to get set point, and then Izzy Lamparty put down a block to seal the set 25-23.

After winning such a closely contested set two it was clear that the Raiders had momentum. Niles however fought off the Raiders in the beginning stages of the set, in fact it was tied 12-12. Then it just got to be too much for the Dragons. The flood gates opened and the Raiders went on a 12-1 run to gain match point at 24-13 and eventually the match clinching set 25-16.

Anna Primavera had a double double with 16 kills, and 13 digs. She also tallied 3 aces. Abby George also had a strong night with 8 kills and a block. Maria Primavera had a career night with 12 kills and 7 digs, and an ace. Emily Irons had 40 assists, a season high. Also Irons had 7 digs and an ace. Reagan Irons finished with 20 digs, 4 kills, and 2 assists.

The Raiders now look forward to tournament play. The Raiders first game is Saturday Oct 19 at Salem High School. They await the winner of Columbiana vs Campbell.

Niles opens their tournament Tuesday Oct 15th vs Jefferson at Jefferson.

 

 

RAIDERS STAY STREAKING SLAY DRAGONS

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South Range extended their winning streak to 5 games with a four set victory over Niles Tuesday night (25-21 25-14 21-25 25-15).

In the first set the Raiders got off to a rough start hitting in set one. All season they’ve continued to find ways to get points during hitting slumps and this set was no different. Despite hitting just .059 the Raiders picked up set one 25-21.

In the second set, the Raiders offense got going. They were able to drastically raise their hitting percentage and keep themselves in system. That, in turn, kept the Dragons out of system and caused them to send over a lot of free balls. The Raiders cruised to a 25-14 set two victories.

In set three Niles flipped the script of the set prior. They were the ones swinging with high efficiency and keeping the Raiders out of system. Despite hitting a steady .118 the Raiders weren’t able to keep the Dragons from forcing a fourth set, Niles took it 25-18.

The Raiders bounced back brilliantly in set number four. They aggressively jumped out to a big lead early and never gave it up. With maybe the best set the Raiders have had all season, they had an attack percentage of .308. The Raiders only had 2 attack errors in the set. They flew by the Dragons to claim the match with a 25-15 win.

Anna Primavera led the offense with 8 kills, 10 digs, and 2 aces. Marina Schneider had a strong performance as well with 6 kills, 3 digs, and 2 aces. Emily Irons had 26 assists, 7 kills, and 6 digs. Reagan Irons had 11 digs, 4 kills, and 2 aces.

The Raiders return to action Thursday as they host Lakeview.

RAIDERS CELEBRATE SENIORS WITH BIG WIN

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Brooke Sauerwein came the ballpark and meant business on Monday, driving in five on three hits to lead South Rang past McKinley 21-1 on Monday.  Brooke Sauerwein drove in runs on a single in the first and a single in the second.

The Raiders secured the victory thanks to 12 runs in the second inning.  Brooke Sauerwein, Kali Dudich, Hanna Dennison, Reagan Irons, Emily Protain, and  Taylor Smesko all moved runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning.

The Raiders got things started in the first inning when Bree Kohler singled on a 2-0 count, scoring one run.

South Range put up 12 runs in the second inning.  The offensive onslaught came from singles by Brooke Sauerwein, Kali Dudich, Reagan Irons, and Emily Protain, walks by Taylor Smesko and Mallory Vidman, a fielder’s choice by Kali Dudich, an error on a ball put in play by Brooke Sauerwein, and a double by Hanna Dennison.

Bree Kohler took the win for the Raiders. She went two innings, allowing zero runs on zero hits, striking out four and walking zero.  Reagan Irons and Emily Protain entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief.

Melius took the loss for McKinley. She surrendered 21 runs on 14 hits over four innings.

The Raiders collected 14 hits.  Brooke Sauerwein, Hanna Dennison, and Bree Kohler each managed multiple hits for South Range Raiders.  Brooke Sauerwein led the Raiders with three hits in three at bats.  South Range didn’t commit a single error in the field. Kali Dudich had the most chances in the field with six.

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POLAND COMPLETES SWEEP OF NILES

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Poland got out to a five-run lead in the fourth inning and held on for a 6-4 victory over McKinley on Wednesday.  McKinley managed three runs in the failed comeback. Joe Gallo, Zach Leonard, and  Chase Sudzina powered the rally with RBIs.

The Bulldogs opened up scoring in the first inning, when MJ Farber drew a walk, scoring one run.

Alex Barth led the Bulldogs to victory on the pitcher’s mound. He allowed four hits and three runs over five and a third innings, striking out one.  Mike Kushner threw one and two-thirds innings in relief out of the bullpen.  Kushner recorded the last five outs to earn the save.

Corbin Foy took the loss for McKinley. He allowed three hits and four runs over one and two-thirds innings.

Poland saw the ball well today, racking up seven hits in the game.  Stephen Carney and Zachary Yaskulka each had multiple hits.  Yaskulka and Carney each collected two hits to lead Poland Seminary Bulldogs Varsity.

Sudzina led McKinley with two hits in four at-bats.

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LADY RAIDERS SLAY DRAGONS

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CANFIELD, OH-  Raider Volleyball beat a 10-2 Niles team in 4 sets on Tuesday night (25-19 25-16 17-25 25-14)

In the first set the Raiders made a statement quick as they hit their way to 6 kills before surrendering an error. The Raiders had 14 kills in the first set and only 4 errors. That helped the Raiders take set 1 25-19.

The Raiders put another strong step forward in set 2 as Anna Primavera for the momentum rolling with 3 early kills. Abby George also started to make her presence felt in the middle. Jenna Barbessi gathered 5 kills in the set and the Raiders took it 25-16.

In the 3rd set the Raiders passing started to struggle a bit which lead to more attack errors. Almost half of the Raiders total attack errors came in set 3. Niles took advantage. They took set 3 17-25.

The Raiders refocused in the 4th set, as Abby George and Emily Irons both got a couple kills to swing the momentum back to the Raiders side. An Anna Primavera ace, along with strong serving getting Niles out of system gave the Raiders a big lead that they would never let go. The Raiders dominated set 4 25-14.

The Raiders hit .167 overall as a team. They had 9 different players record a kill. Jenna Barbessi lead the offense with 13 kills, she also had a dig. Anna Primavera with 9 kills and 7 digs. Abby George with 7 kills on the night. Drew Feren had 21 assists and 4 digs, also a kill. Emily Irons with 15 assists 7 kills and 6 digs. Mary Kuhns had 11 digs 5 aces and 2 kills.

Raiders will return to action Thursday as they travel to Lakeview who leads the NE8.