Tag Archive for: OHSAA

RAIDERS FALL SHORT OF REGIONAL CHIP

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TWINSBURG, OH- It had been 364 days of tough memories for the Perry Pirates since falling in the Regionals to the eventual Division V State Champion, South Range Raiders.  On Friday night, the Pirates earned their revenge with a 32-0 shutout, and eliminated the defending champs to earn a ticket to Week 15.

The Perry offense was impressive and scored early and often to put the Raiders behind the 8-ball right from the onset.  Perry established their dominance early in the first quarter when quarterback Walter Moses connected with Brayden Richards for a spectacular 47-yard touchdown reception. The next possession adding to their lead, Moses executed a skillful 1-yard rushing touchdown later in the first quarter, bringing the score to 12-0.

Perry continued their scoring onslaught in the second quarter, with  Jayden Studio contributing a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Shortly thereafter, Moses showcased his passing prowess again, finding Luke Sivon for a remarkable 79-yard touchdown reception. The team extended their lead with successful extra points by Altor Ontanon-Lopez.

Not content with their lead, Perry closed out the second quarter with another explosive play, as Jayden Studio sprinted for a 63-yard rushing touchdown, capping off a remarkable scoring drive. Ontanon-Lopez once again delivered a precise extra point, bringing the halftime score to an imposing 32-0 in favor of Perry.

The second half saw no additional scoring, as Perry’s first-half dominance proved insurmountable for South Range.

The Raiders finished with 194 yards of offense which was one of their lowest outputs of the season.  The typically stout defense surrendered 474 yards to Perry on what was a continuous clock in the second half.  The closest the Raiders would push into Pirate territory came on the first drive of the second half when South Range marched the ball to the 10-yard line only to be intercepted in the endzone while trying to trim the deficit.

Walter Moses completed 6 of 9 passes for 162 yards and had two scores through the air.  Jayden Studio ran for 214 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries on the night, the most successful rushing game against South Range in the past 8 seasons, and only the second 100-yard rusher against this defense since South Range joined the NE8 (Antuan Gardner – 2023.)

Junior QB Tristan Toy finished the game 2/9 for 45 yards and an interception, while contributing 50 yards on the ground.  Blake Ewert finished his Raider career with a 20-yard effort on five carries, Aidan Dominguez saw 14 carries for 46 yards, and Gaven Nagy had one rush for 27 yards.  Brady Crumbacher brought in both targets receiving for 45 yards on the night.

Defensively, Luke Starkey had 10 tackles and led all defenders in that category, while Nagy chipped in 9, and Dylan Smesko had 4 for South Range.

With the loss, South Range finishes at 12-2 on the year and Regional Runner-Up in 2023.  The Raiders set to graduate this year have contributed a 50-4 record to the program during their tenure with the only losses suffered being Kirtland, Green, and Perry.

UNITED FALLS IN SECOND ROUND

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HANOVERTON, OH- In a hard-fought second-round clash in the OHSAA Playoffs, the Cuyahoga Heights football team demonstrated their strength and determination as they conquered the United Eagles, sealing a 26-7 victory that showcased their prowess on the field.

From the opening kickoff, it was evident that Cuyahoga Heights was determined to assert its dominance. Francis Connors led the charge, plowing his way through the Eagles’ defense, and capping off an impressive drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Michael Paterkiewicz’s successful kick added the extra point, giving Cuyahoga Heights an early 7-0 lead.

Cuyahoga Heights continued to assert their dominance in the second quarter. Connors struck again with a 6-yard rushing touchdown, although the extra point attempt fell short. The score expanded to 13-0 in favor of Cuyahoga Heights.

United faced a formidable challenge, with the Cuyahoga Heights defense proving to be a formidable barrier. The Eagles’ struggles continued into the third quarter as Anthony Coutouzis broke through with a 7-yard rushing touchdown. Although the two-point conversion pass attempt failed, Cuyahoga Heights widened their lead to 19-0.

Connors was far from done, as he secured his third rushing touchdown of the game with another 1-yard plunge, and Paterkiewicz’s kick was true. The Cuyahoga Heights lead was now a commanding 26-0.

Despite the challenging circumstances, the United Eagles continued to fight. In the fourth quarter, Luke Courtney connected with Andrew Ogilvie for a 15-yard touchdown pass, showing their determination to avoid a shutout. Courtney’s successful kick added the extra point, and the Eagles put 7 points on the scoreboard.

However, it was not enough to mount a full-scale comeback, and the game concluded with a final score of 26-7 in favor of Cuyahoga Heights.

Cuyahoga Heights gained a total of 263 yards, compared to United’s 232.  Francis Connors was the standout player for Cuyahoga Heights, accumulating 179 yards on 37 carries, and setting the tone.  Luke Courtney led the United Eagles with 72 yards on 13 carries, Courtney also passed for 98 yards. and closes the book on a historic Eagles career where he did everything but drive the bus in his tenure.

WARRIORS CAGE BULLDOGS WITH A PAIR OF LATE TD’S

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By Mike Ackelson

BELOIT, OH-  West Branch advanced to the second round of the playoffs but Woodridge didn’t go down easy making the Warriors earn a hard-fought 33-20 victory.

      West Branch came out of the gates scoring on their fourth play from scrimmage, Beau Alazaus hit Jeremiah Thomas for a 16-yard touchdown, and the PAT was no good 6-0 Warriors.
Their defense forced a three-and-out and marched down the field again, with Alazaus connecting with Cooper Anderson, 4-yard touchdown reception, 13-0 with just 6 minutes and 36 seconds off the clock.
 The Bulldogs were very opportunistic and pounced on a muffed punt, setting up Charlie Lambes for a 9-yard TD run. After Woodridge blocked a punt on the series Taysear Willaims-Clay punched it in from 2 yards out and with the two-point conversion Woodridge had the lead 14-13 and that was the score after the first quarter.
The Warriors regained the lead midway through the second quarter when Alazaus tossed his third touchdown of the game to Joey Jackson, the extra point was good and at the break, West Branch was leading 20-13.
Woodridge dominated the third quarter limiting West Branch to just one offensive possession and tied the game with 3:26 to go in the frame when Lambes hit Jack Novak on a 31-yard TD pass, PAT was no good and after three quarters the game was tied at 20.
 The game stayed tied until the Warriors’ offense went on a 70-yard drive capped by Jeremiah Thomas’s 13-yard touchdown run, but the point after was no good it was 26-20 West Branch with 3:26 remaining on the clock. The ensuing kick was a fumble and after both teams had several chances to recover, Garan Harlan fell on the ball and set up the Warriors with a golden opportunity and Harlan would ice the game’s with a 2-yard TD run. Final score 33-20 West Branch.
The team leaders for West Branch were, Quarterback, Beau Alazaus 24 Completions for 236 yard, 3td’s 1 Interception.
Joey Jackson had 10 receptions for 93 yards and a score. Defensive leaders Jack Flickinger 8 tackles and sack, Clayton Day 8 tackles.
West Branch will host Streetsboro in the second round next Friday night.
Just a reminder for $9.99 you can watch all 13 games involving YSN schools next week.

RAIDERS FRUSTRATE FAIRLESS IN OPENING ROUND

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CANFIELD, OH-In a thrilling first-round OHSAA Playoff Football game at Rominger Stadium, the South Range Raiders emerged victorious with a final score of 43-20 over the Fairless Falcons.

The first quarter saw South Range taking an early lead as Tristan Toy broke through the Fairless defense with a spectacular 57-yard rushing touchdown, giving his team a 6-0 advantage. The extra point by Logan Butcher was successfully converted, making it 7-0 in favor of the Raiders.

Fairless came back strong in the second quarter, with Gio Moore running for a 15-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 7-6. However, South Range responded with a flurry of touchdowns. Blake Ewert ran for a 16-yard score, Aidan Dominguez dashed for an 8-yard touchdown.  Just when South Range felt in control, Tristan Toy threw a pass that was intercepted by Gio Moore for an 18-yard pick-six to tighten things up at 28-13.

Before the second quarter concluded, Blake Ewert added another incredible 53-yard rushing touchdown, and South Range took a commanding 35-13 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Raiders continued to dominate. Tristan Toy found the end zone with a 22-yard rushing touchdown, and Blake Ewert broke free for an astonishing 80-yard rushing touchdown. The Raiders also converted a 2-point conversion to extend their lead to 43-13.

Fairless made a late push in the fourth quarter, with Peter Killy rushing for a 1-yard touchdown and Brent Hrynko converting the extra point. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Raiders, and the game concluded with a final score of 43-20 in favor of South Range.

The Raiders finished with 470 yards of offense, including 429 yards on the ground.  The tone-setter was Blake Ewert with 193 yards on 8 carries and three scores.  Tristan Toy supplemented the ground game with 117 yards on four totes, and 41 yards through the air on three completions.  Michael Chadbourne collected 26 yards on two carries as well.

Gaven Nagy led the Raider defense with a pair of interceptions.  Brady Crumbacher had his name called throughout the evening in every phase of the game, as he finished with seven tackles and a sack to lead the way.

The Raiders (10-1) will host West Lafayette Ridgewood next week at 7pm, you can catch all the action as well as 12 other games on YSN for $9.99.

CANFIELD FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 9) WITH MIKE PAVLANSKY

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CANFIELD, OH- Welcome back to another episode of YSN’s Coach’s Corner! In this episode, we are joined by the head ball coach of the Canfield Cardinals, Mike Pavlansky.

We’ll be discussing their recent big win over Howland and diving into the leadership and growth of key players like Santino Cocca and Vince Luce. Coach Pavlansky will also share his thoughts on the team’s impressive run heading into week ten and the challenges they face against a hungry Boardman team.

Plus, we’ll get his insights on the importance of staying focused on the present and not getting caught up in the hype of week eleven and beyond. Stay tuned for an exciting and informative conversation with Coach Mike Pavlansky on this episode of Coach’s Corner!

 

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FALCONS BACK ON TRACK AFTER WIN AGAINST BOARDMAN

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BOARDMAN, OH-Austintown Fitch got off to a strong start with a three-and-out defensive stop and then rattled off 36 straight points. Senior Dan Evans III contributed with a spectacular 79-yard punt return in the first quarter. Other scoring plays in the first half included a 2-yard run by freshman Deon’Dray Richard and two field goals of 27 and 31 yards by junior Anthony Ruggles.

Richard, who finished with two touchdowns and 115 rushing yards, stepped up after senior running back DJ Williams left the game due to injury. The Falcons’ defense played a pivotal role, limiting Boardman’s offensive opportunities, resulting in a shutout.

Boardman made several attempts at fourth-down conversions, following Evans’s punt return, but went 0-for-5 on fourth-down tries. Austintown’s defense, led by junior linebacker Rocco DiFlorio, applied pressure and held Boardman to just 87 total yards and five first downs.

Fitch applied pressure to Boardman’s quarterback, leading to a safety when he was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone. Austintown sealed the victory with a seven-yard touchdown pass from DeShawn Vaughn Jr. to sophomore Allen Hill Jr.

Fitch will now turn the page to Week 10 to take on Warren G Harding, while Boardman will finish the campaign against Canfield.

CANFIELD FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 8) WITH MIKE PAVLANSKY

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CANFIELD, OH- In this episode, we dive into the Canfield Football Coach’s Corner with the legendary Mike Pavlansky.

Join us as we discuss the team’s recent game against Holy Name and how they graded out. We’ll also take a look ahead to their upcoming matchup against Howland and the challenges they may face playing on a Thursday night.

Plus, Coach Pavlansky shares his thoughts on the impressive senior class and their chance to make school history. So grab a seat and get ready for another exciting episode of YSN Coach’s Corner.

 

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EAST PALESTINE PLAYER PROFILE: BULLDOG ROUNDTABLE

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- In today’s episode, “East Palestine Football Bulldog Roundtable,” we gather an exclusive panel of talented players from the East Palestine Bulldogs football team. Shane Richardson, Ayvre Klingensmith, RJ May, and Anthony Lehman are joining us, each representing a different grade level – senior, sophomore, freshman, and junior, respectively.

Hosted by the “Voice of the Bulldogs” Tim Figley, this roundtable discussion takes us through the journey of these dedicated athletes, from their offseason training and team improvements to memorable moments and individual accomplishments throughout the season.

As we dive deeper into their experiences, we uncover the challenges they’ve faced, the impact of other sports on their performance, and the camaraderie that drives them forward. From heart-pumping touchdowns to game-changing tackles, this episode provides an intimate look at the mindset and dedication required to excel in high school football. So, get ready to hear inspiring stories, valuable insights, and the unwavering passion of these remarkable Bulldog athletes. Stay tuned for an episode that’ll have you cheering from the sidelines.

This is YSN: East Palestine Football Bulldog Roundtable. Let’s get started!

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BOARDMAN FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 6) WITH DJ DOTA

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BOARDMAN, OH-  In this episode of “Boardman Football Coach’s Corner,” we have a special guest joining us – DJ Dota, the head coach of the Boardman Spartan football team. Coach Dota reflects on a tough week for the team, with both wins and losses on the depth chart, as well as some key injuries. He discusses the importance of building depth and preparing the players for any situation.

The conversation also delves into the difference between being injured and being hurt, and how the team works to keep players healthy and in optimal condition. Coach Dota highlights the role of their athletic trainer in ensuring the well-being of the players.

Additionally, they touch on the challenges of getting enough reps for the second-string players and the difficulty of simulating game-like conditions.

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DON’T MESS WITH SMESKO

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CANFIELD, OH- In this episode, we dive deep into the world of South Range football and get to know one of their talented players, Dylan Smesko. Join us as we embark on a journey to uncover the life, experiences, and passions of this outstanding junior athlete.

From his nerves before interviews to his favorite Gatorade flavor, we cover it all. Discover the secrets behind South Range’s close-knit team and the role models that have shaped Dylan’s journey. We’ll also explore his leadership on the field, his love for speed, and his dream job in cybersecurity.

Get ready to be inspired by the incredible stories and aspirations of this rising star in the world of football. So, sit back, relax, and tune in to this captivating episode of YSN, as we present the South Range Player Profile: Dylan Smesko.

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