Tag Archive for: OHSAA Playoffs

TIGERS WORK THEIR WAY BACK TO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

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ZANESVILLE, Ohio – For the second time in as many weeks, it all came down to just over 30 seconds for the Springfield Tigers, but this time, it was the defense who would stand strong.

After a 24-yard field goal courtesy of Clayton Medvec put the Tigers ahead 16-13 with just 5 minutes and 8 seconds remaining, the defense would take the field. Just as the Fort Frye Cadets had done all game long, they moved the ball down the field at will.

Long sustained drives are a staple of the Fort Frye offense, and it showed throughout the entirety of the game. The Cadets had possessions of 7, 6, 8, and 5 minutes, but only 1 resulted in points.

PHOTO CREDIT: CHARLES MARSH

Following a shot to the endzone that would just go over the head of a Fort Frye receiver, the game came down to 8 yards and 36 seconds. With no timeouts to spare and already on 3rd down, the Cadets had time for two plays, but their only chance at stopping the clock would be getting out of bounds.

Trying to make up for the late score they gave up last week to allow Norwayne to take the lead in the closing seconds, the Tigers needed to flip the script.

After trying to get the edge on the Tigers with a sweep to the right, the Cadets hurried to the line, putting the fate of the game on just one final play.

The Springfield defense, already with two-goal lines stands in the game, came up big to advance their team back to the state championship for the second year in a row. The Cadet quarterback took the snap and rolled to his left trying to find a man in the endzone, but the Tigers had all their bases covered. Forcing a pass short of the goal line, two Tiger defenders came up and made the stop short of the endzone.

BIG PERFORMERS

SPRINGFIELD:

Austin Tindell: 6 carries 46 yards 2 TDs

Beau Brungard: 13 completions 162 yards 11 carries 57 yards

FORT FRYE:

Maeson Long: 11 carries 133 yards 1 TD

Ian Ellis: 12 completions 121 yards 9 carries 23 yards 1 TD

UP NEXT

Springfield: The Tigers will make their return to the State Championship Sunday at 5:00 pm. Springfield will face off with the Coldwater Cavaliers (11-0). Coldwater set a state record this season with their 24th straight playoff appearance and are looking to capture their 7th state championship since 2005.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson

IRISH GET BUMPED OUT BY LAKE CATHOLIC

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YOUNGSTOWN OH- The Ursuline Fighting Irish and the Mentor Lake Catholic Cougars met in the regional final Saturday night at Stambaugh Stadium.  The Irish we’re down some key starters in this matchup, and Lake Catholic took full advantage of it.
 
The first half of the ballgame was a defensive battle, as Lake Catholic turned the ball over on downs a couple of times in Irish territory, and Ursuline couldn’t put any points on the board. Lake Catholic got the first score late in the half, as quarterback Joe Malchesky connected with receiver Charlie Vincent to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead heading into the half. Ursuline came out of the half with a long dash from Jakylan Irving as he took the opening kickoff to start the second half 90 plus yards to put the Irish on the board. Ursuline went for two after the touchdown, got it, but then a penalty brought back out senior kicker Dylan Peplowski to nail the extra point and tie the ballgame at 7. 
The third quarter got ugly for the Irish after the kickoff return, as Lake Catholic scored on a 54-yard reception by Charlie Vincent, and then the Cougars defense picked off 2 passes on back to back possessions. The Cougars were able to capitalize on both turnovers, and really pull away with a 28-7 lead. Later in the second half, the Irish would turn the ball over on downs, and Joe Malchesky would run it in from 4 yards out. The Cougars would win the Regional Final 35-7, and advance to the state semifinal game. Ursuline ended the year 7-3 and had a great bounce-back season. Lake Catholic takes on Bloom-Carroll next Saturday in the state semifinal game at 7 P.M.
*Contributed by YSN’s Richie Juliano

TIGERS ESCAPE TO STATE WITH LAST SECOND SCORE

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NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio – Beau Brungard took the snap and handed it off to his man in motion Lukas Yemma. Yemma flipped it to Nick Slike coming back towards the middle. Slike then tossed it back to Brungard, and made a block on a Norwayne defender to give his quarterback just enough time to throw a strike on the move towards his right back into the arms of Lukas Yemma in the front corner of the endzone. Springfield was back on top of Region 21.

To put it simply, this is one of the greatest games in valley history. In a back and forth battle that saw both teams hold double-digit leads at some point in the game, it all came down to just 57yards in 34 seconds.

THE PRELUDE

After Norwayne’s Ameer Cunningham powered one into the endzone from 7 yards out to close the Tigers lead to 38-34 as time expired in the 3rd, Springfield was set to get the ball to start the 4th. In just under 4 minutes, the Tigers expanded their lead back out to two scores following a 21-yardrun into the endzone by Brungard.

While Springfield was in a good spot, the game was far from over. Taking over with 8 minutes and 14 seconds remaining from their own 20, Norwayne went to work. With a heavy dosage of Cunningham on the ground and Bitskay through the air, the Bobcats struck back on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 4:35 remaining.

Executing squib kicks all game long, the Norwayne special team’s unit headed out trailing by 5 and caught the Tigers’ return team on their heels. The Bobcats performed a surprise onside kick to near perfection with a little bit of luck as well. The onside kick attempt took a perfect hop over the hands of the Springfield front wall and into the arms of a Norwayne gunner.

Just a tick over a 4-minute drive, Norwayne had once again willed their way down the field and into the endzone with their workhorse Ameer Cunningham, this time powering it in from 4 yards out, and propelling the Bobcats back into the lead with just 34 seconds remaining. Ahead by only 1, Norwayne went for two and would convert through the air, moving the score to 48-45.

In almost any other matchup, this game would have been considered over. However, it was a perfect storm of Springfield’s strengths and Norwayne’s weaknesses. For Norwayne, they had not forced the Tigers on a kickoff to start a drive from less than their own 40. For Springfield, they had one of the best kickers in the state of Ohio in Clay Medvec, who already hit from 52 yards out earlier in the year.

The kicker (no pun intended) was that Springfield did not even need to use Medvec’s iron leg. Dinking and dunking their way into Bobcat territory, Springfield was well within Medvec’sfield goal range with 11 seconds to go and a timeout in hand.

THE PLAY

Knowing that a tie was within reach, head coach Sean Guerriero was able to go for the win. Lost in all the commotion, Lukas Yemma was able to slip through the Norwayne defense and alone for an easy toss. “We practice it every Friday to make sure we have it down,” Springfield senior Lukas Yemma said about the winning play. “We just put in so much work in so we can win the game no matter what it takes.”

BIGGEST PERFORMER

Junior standout Beau Brungard finished with 168 yards through the air with 1 touchdown, 60 yards receiving with 1 touchdown, and 139 yards rushing with 5 touchdowns, totaling for 367 yards and 7 touchdowns.

UP NEXT

Springfield: Survive and Advance! The Tigers will move on to face the Region 23 champion Fort Frye Cadets (9-0) of Beverly. This matchup will take place at Sulsberger Memorial Stadium in Zanesville. Fort Frye was last in the State playoffs back in 2018.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson

RAIDERS FIGHT TO THE END

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MENTOR OH- From the start of the playoffs, and possibly before that people had a possible matchup between Kirtland and South Range circled. It finally came to pass on Saturday night and both teams proved why the hype was so great.

The Raiders looked to make a statement on their first possession as they converted a fourth down conversion in their own territory. Later in the drive on a 4th and long the Raiders threw out a fake punt. The spot put them inches short, and gave the Hornets the ball.

Kirtland who is known much more for their physical run game than their air attack saw an opportunity to grab quick momentum and took it with a long touchdown pass on their first play from scrimmage. It would establish a tone that would haunt the Raiders all night.

Kirtland scores again on another big play. And just like that the Raiders were playing from behind. Their offense stabilized things in the first half though, making it a manageable 28-13 halftime Kirtland lead.

Kirtland scores on their first possession of the second half, but then the Raiders answered, got a stop, and scored again to cut the game to a one possession 35-27 game. On Kirtland’s next possession, the Raiders got a big sack that pushed the Hornets to force a 3rd and 12. Kirtland quarterback Liam Powers hit Joey Grazia for maybe the biggest play of the game to convert the 3rd and 12. Kirtland would go on to score, and eat up a lot of clock while they were at it to go up 42-27. Both teams would trade scores to make the final 49-35.

The Raiders scored the most points given up by Kirtland all season. Michael Patrone was electric as always running the ball 14 times for 78 yards and a touchdown. He went 15-22 through the air with 201 yards 3 TD, and 2 INT. Dylan Dominguez finished with 64 yards on 13 carries. Luke Crumbacher had 3 receptions for 61 yards.

 

CANFIELD GETS BACK TO REGIONAL FINAL

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STREETSBORO OH- The Canfield Cardinals traveled to take on the Streetsboro Rockets in a battle for the regional semifinal. The Cardinals battled all night long, and continued their dominant 2020 season.

Broc Lowry got the ball rolling for the Cardinals as he danced into the end zone from five yards out in the second quarter, to give Canfield the first lead of the night. With time running down in the first half, Lowry connected with Ethan Fletcher for a touchdown pass right near the pylon. This touchdown would give the Cardinals a 14 point lead with just 6 seconds left in the first half.

Streetsboro couldn’t get any points on the board in the first half, after a terrific defensive effort from the Cardinals. Streetsboro was not used to getting shut down offensively, coming in averaging over 53 points a game.

In the second half, the Cardinals continued to push forward. An 80 yard drive was capped off by another Lowry touchdown run, and the Cardinals were up 21 to 0 to start the 3rd quarter. Canfield’s place kicker Jonathan Schmidt would later knock in a 31 yard field goal to make it 24-0. Streetsboro would score late in the 4th, but were unable to convert the 2 point conversion.

Canfield would come away with the victory by a final score of 24-6. Canfield remains unbeaten at 9-0, and will take on Chardon next Friday in the Regional Final.

*Contributed By YSN’s Richie Juliano

TIGERS MAKE IT PAST MOGADORE

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NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio –Last season, the Springfield Tigers played host to the Mogadore Wildcats at South Range High School for the 2019 Region 21 title, a game in which the Tigers would come out on top, 35-21. Almost one year later, these two teams would face off for the chance to go back to the regional final.

Receiving the ball first, the Tigers came out hot. Moving the rock at will on their first drive, star quarterback, Beau Brungard, broke one through the middle of the Mogadore defense and into the endzone from over 40 yards out. The fans erupted, the fireworks were set off, but a holding call would delay the first score of the game. Just a few plays later, the Tigers would come up short on 4th down and 1.

The ensuing Wildcat possession would not last long as the always stout Tigers defense would force a three and out. Taking over in their own territory, the Brungard bunch would go right back to work. A grueling 10 play drive would be capped by an 8-yard touchdown run from Brungard, putting the Tigers ahead 7-0 with 27 seconds left in the 1st.

After kicker Clayton Medvec’s kickoff was booted into the endzone for a touchback, Mogadore would start their second drive at their own 25. Once again, the Tigers would get the ball back quickly. The Tigers defensive front was able to wreak havoc on the Wildcats all night long, coming up with their first of 5 sacks on the night with Mogadore facing 3rd and long.

With the ball back in his hands, Brungard kept things rolling with a perfect pass to Lukas Yemmato get the offense in another goal to go situation and just two plays later, the Tigers were back into the endzone for their second score of the night, this time via a LT like leap over the pile by running back Clayton Nezbeth from one-yard out.

On their opening drive of the second half, Mogadore had made some adjustments and were rolling into Tiger territory. Full back Tyler Knight was having his way to start the half, throwing defenders off left and right, pushing Mogadore into Springfield territory for the first time of the night. However, Knight’s hard nose running would come back to bite him. Stiff arming one defender, Knight left the ball loose from his body, allowing Brungard to make a big play on the defensive side, stripping it right out of the hands of Knight.

While Springfield failed to score in the second half on the offensive side, the defense would come up big. With 7 minutes and 8 seconds remaining in the game, Clayton Nezbeth would record his second touchdown of the game, this time from a scoop and score, courtesy a strip sack from a Tiger defensive lineman.

Although they were down by 3 scores, the Wildcats did not go quietly into the night. On their final drive, Mogadore quarterback, Kody Jaber would connect with wide out Tucker Marmash 4 times for 88 yards. Despite their success through the air, the Wildcats were unable to put points on the board, cementing the final score in favor of the Tigers, 21-0.

BIG PERFORMERS

Springfield

Beau Brungard – 3 completions 59 yards 13 carries 84 yards 1 TD

Clayton Nezbeth – 9 carries 45 yards 1 Rushing TD 1 Defensive TD

Austin Tindell – 9 carries 60 yards

Lukas Yemma – 2 catches 57 yards

Mogadore

Kody Jaber – 6 completions 98 yards 2 carries 11 yards

Tyler Knight – 10 carries 73 yards 1 lost fumble

Tucker Marmash – 5 catches 94 yards

UP NEXT

Springfield: It’s back to the Regional Final for the Tigers. Springfield will play host to the NorwayneBobcats (9-0), who were able to defeat Wickliffe(8-1) 20-13 to secure their spot in the Regional Final.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson

IRISH A CLASS ABOVE POLAND

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POLAND OH- The Ursuline Irish took on the number two seed and the Poland Bulldogs Saturday night for the regional semifinal.

The Bulldogs came out red hot, with an interception on the first drive from Christian Colosimo, and then a QB keeper from Jack Fulton to give the Bulldogs a quick 7-0 lead. Ursuline would get on the board, as Senior running back Dante Walker would answer later in the first, as he ran in a touchdown to tie the ballgame.

The second quarter was all Irish, as Ursuline would put up 21 points, to go into halftime leading 28-7. Luke Campbell had a strip sack for a touchdown to start the scoring streak. DeMarcus McElroy punched in a 22 yard touchdown, and then Waker had his second touchdown run of the night, to give the Irish all the momentum heading into the locker at half.

The Irish would get another touchdown in the second half from DeMarcus McElroy, and would cling on to a 35-7 victory. The Irish scored 35 unanswered points, and the defense would hold the Bulldogs all night long to just 7 points.

Ursuline advances to the regional final next Saturday, as they will host 12 seed Mentor Lake Catholic. Ursuline looks to pick up their 10th program regional tittle next Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium.

*Contributed By YSN’s Richie Juliano

RANGE RUNS AWAY FROM REBELS

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CANFIELD OH- The Raiders and Rebels are two programs that know each other all too well. With a matchup history that dates back to 1969, this one may have been the biggest one yet. A spot in the regional final on the line, it promised to be a massive battle. The fans got exactly what they anticipated, a hard fought game. The Raiders ran away from the Rebels in the second half and came out with a 45-29 victory.

The two teams traded a couple of three and outs to begin the game, and it was looking like it might be a defensive grudge match. However the playmakers on both sides weren’t having it. MIchael Patrone led the Raiders down the field on their third possession, and then punched it in himself from a yard out to get his team on the board first. When the Raiders got the ball back, Patrone broke loose for a 76 yard touchdown sprint.

The Rebels would answer with a 69 yard pass touchdown from Anthony Cusick to William Hardenbrook, and the two team race was on. The two teams went back and forth for the rest of the half, and a big defensive stop before halftime by the Raiders may have been the turning point. If the Rebels would have been able to punch in a touchdown and go up one, they would have gotten the ball to start the second half with a ton of momentum.

Patrone finished with 410 total yards from scrimmage. He ran for 259, and picked up 151 yards through the air. The Raiders offense gained 573 total yards.

Hardenbrook broke the century mark on the ground for the Rebels with 124 yards.

The Raiders now advance to their biggest test yet as they’ll face Kirtland for the fourth time in the playoffs. The Hornets have a 2-1 edge in the series. That game will be played at Mentor High School.

Crestview will square up with Brookfield to determine a MVAC Gray Tier Champion.

 

RAIDERS ROLLING ON ALL CYLINDERS

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CANFIELD OH- South Range is on yer another playoff run. That’s become a normal thing in the 25 years of head coach Dan Yeagley’s tenure with the program. The Raiders have advanced to the regional semifinals with a 49-16 drumming of Beachwood.

The Raiders set the tone early, marching down the field on their first drive. After Michael Patrone hit Jake Gehring for a long pass up the middle, Dylan Dominguez capped off the drive with a trip to the endzone from 3 yards out. Later in the half, Luke Blasko bolted for a 46 yard touchdown on a reverse, and then after a turnover Dominguez scampered to a 48 yard touchdown run. Beachwood was keeping afloat, trailing just 21-10 just before halftime. Then Patrone found Luke Crumbacher for a massive 57 yard score to make it 28-10 before the half. The Raiders kept their foot on the gas and outscored the Bison 28-6 in the second half.

South Range now sets their sights on an all to familiar foe. The Raiders will host Crestview, who is coming off a big upset over Garfield. That game is set for Saturday at 7:00.

URSULINE WITHSTANDS LATE WARRIOR RALLY

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BELOIT, OH- Perhaps one of the most looked at games this week had to have been the third seeded West Branch Warriors, hosting the sixth seeded Ursuline Irish in a dramafield quarterfinal matchup in Division IV region 13.  The first scoring drive started out when the Irish did their take on the Philly special as Brady Shannon pitched it to Dante Walker who then pitched it back to Matthew Reardon who found Luke Campbell making it 8-0 after converting the two point conversion.  

 

Ursuline’s next touchdown came during the second when Terrell “TG” Dilworth turned into Barry Allen aka the flash going 70-yards to the house with nobody stopping the Air Force commit.  His take off was like a fighter jet putting the Irish up 16-0.  But those Warriors, you should never count them out as Brock Hillyer who has been having a good season found Dru DeShields two-yards out cutting the Ursuline lead to 10.  The Irish got one more score on the board to make it 24-6 at the half and now the Warriors needed a plan.

 

That’s when they knew that being aggressive and forcing Trevor Lawrence aka Brady Shannon would come into their favor as Shannon was picked off by Alec Wilson and guess what, he could go all the way and that he did, a 37-yard pick six making it now 24-12.  

 

However, Shannon was not finished yet, as he put that last pass he had behind him and now it was a new set of downs.  He would trust Dante Walker to make a spectacular 38-yard over-the-shoulder touchdown making it 32-12.  Once again, those Warriors would not go away as Hillyer found DeShields yet again two-yards out, cutting the lead to 13.  But then, it was Emmitt Smith, aka DeMarcus McElroy who smelled the end zone and man it was smelling good as he took it in five-yards out extending it 38-19.  

 

West Branch did what they usually do on offense and that is score during crunch time with two touchdowns late in the game.  The first was when Hillyer found Nick Wilson for an 11-yard touchdown and then the man would sneak it in himself putting the game to only seven with 2:45 to go and they were back in this.  These Warriors were not giving up without a fight, they would not let their winning record be ruined.  They would try for the onside kick, but Matthew Reardon would recover, ending the game with a final of 38-31 in a hard fought nearly come from behind win.  But, the Irish pulled it off even through the fourth quarter struggle that they had.  

 

Dan Reardon and the Ursuline Irish (6-2) are heading to the regional semifinals to take on the two seeded Poland Bulldogs (7-1) who got a big win Saturday against Chagrin Falls 34-9.  A program that seemed to be the laughing stock of Youngstown GRIT football is now back on top, but man those Bulldogs still need to be fed and they are hungry for some Lucky Charms. The game will be played on a spooky Saturday night, October 31st at 7pm on YSN Live. 

 

  West Branch (7-1) may have lost in the playoffs, but can still schedule a regular season opponent until week 10 with their choice.  The Warriors should pick their heads up after a tremendous season and prepare for another 2021 playoff run. 

 

*Contributed by YSN’s Ian O’Brien*