Tag Archive for: West Branch

WEST BRANCH STANDS TALL

/in /by

BELOIT OH- After striving a scare from Carrollton on Saturday, West Branch meant business on Wednesday against Austintown Fitch. The Warriors wasted no time getting ahead, and staying ahead. They cruised to a 62-38 win.

The Warriors were led by Sydney Mercer who led with 17 points. Sophie Gregory was right behind her finishing with 15 points. Hannah Egli had a solid night contributing 9 points to the cause.

Fitch was led by Zayda Creque who put in 17 points. Kara Pirone contributed 6 points to the offense.

West Branch gets back at it on Saturday as they travel to Poland. Fitch will also be in action on Saturday as they host Struthers.

LOCAL ATHLETES FILL ALL-STATE DIVISION IV ROSTER

/in /by

COLUMBUS, OH- There’s no doubt the area is rich in football talent across the board, but Division IV was peppered with elite skill as the All-Ohio teams were released on Tuesday.

Leading the way on the first team was Ursuline’s DeMarcus McElroy who finished the season with 2,191 yards on 315 attempts, a  7-yard per carry average.  McElroy also scored 41 times on the ground for the Irish.

Dru DeShields was also listed as first-team talent with his dual-threat weaponry, Dru finished with 3,661 yards through the air, and 40 of those passes going for touchdowns.  Drew’s 67% completion percentage on 383 throws was also impressive.  We can’t forget about DeShields ground factor either, with over 1100 yards on the ground and 15 additional touchdowns- DeShields only being a junior scares many coaches for the ’22 campaign.

Mason Ludwig had a big year for the Potters in East Liverpool.  Ludwig’s 6’6, 280 pound frame has recruiters all across the NCAA salivating, and his first-team selection in 2021 for All-Ohio will only strengthen those conversations.

West Branch’s Greg Rockwell joins his QB on the first-team list.  The 6’1, 250 pound offensive lineman checks the box during his impressive senior year on the gridiron.

The First-Team Defense showcased Ty’Req Donlow who created issues for offenses all season long, and a much-deserved accolade for the agitator.  Steven Marra was outstanding with 30 touchdowns on offense, but ultimately his defense at linebacker lands him with first-team honors.

The second-teamers in the area stood out with Ursuline QB1, Brady Shannon headlining the squad.  Shannon threw for over 2600 yards, and 27 touchdowns for the Irish, while running for 8 more.  Similarly, Salem’s Jackson had a stellar year with 2,733 yards through the air and 33 touchdowns, alongside 1,238 yards on the ground and 20 more scores with his legs.

Harvard commit, Dean Boyd of Ursuline also pens his name on the second team with 52 grabs for 916 yards and 9 touchdowns on the campaign.  Blaize Exline had a stellar year and ends up on the second team with a 99-catch, 1,216-yard season that culminated with 17 touchdowns through the air, and 11 more scores on the ground, and several records along the way for the Quakers.

From the big boys, Ursuline’s Brian Frasco, and Isaac Lucas made it on the second-team O-line, while West Branch’s Mitchell Coffee was selected on the D-line.

Jakylan Irving of Ursuline represented the Ursuline defensive backfield with a second-team selection, and Ben Tolson of West Branch gained a selection on special teams.

Third Team All-Ohio saw Thomas Egli of West Branch etch his name on the defensive line.

Honorable Mention contained Beaver Local sophomore QB, Austin Cline and Dorian Jackson, East Liverpool’s Devin Toothman, Michael Gordon and Christian Colosimo of Poland, and Jake Dohy and Connor Strain of Girard.

Congratulations to all these young men and their families on representing themselves at the highest level in the Buckeye State.

WEST BRANCH WINS TUG OF WAR WITH RAIDERS

/in /by

CANFIELD OH- West Branch rolled into their second game of the season on Tuesday night as they visited South Range. The Raiders hungry for their first win, gave the Warriors all they could handle. In a game where both teams traded big runs, the Warriors had the last laugh in a 53-47 win.

The Warriors were led by Jaxon Hendershott with a game-high 19 points. He hit 4 three pointers during the evening. Dru DeShields was also in double figures with 15 points. Nick Wilson added a solid 8 points.

The Raiders were paced by Ayden Leon who finished with 17 points. He was one of three Raiders in double figures. Dylan Turvey contributed 11 points, while Landon Moore chipped in 10.

The Warriors get back to action Friday as they host Carrollton. South Range will still look to get their first win on the road against Girard on Friday.

Postgame Interview With Michael Brown:

Postgame Interview With Jaxon Hendershott:

WARRIORS SURVIVE SCARE FROM CARROLLTON

/in /by

BELOIT OH- Nothing comes east inside the EBC conference. That point was made apparent on Saturday as West Branch was pushed the brink by a Carrollton team that came in without a win to their credit. Carrollton led 38-37 after 3 quarters of play. West Branch found enough plays down the stretch to outscore Carrollton 12-7 in the final frame and escape the upset bud and win 49-45.

Sophie Gregory led the Warriors with another impressive game. She finished with 18 points. Anna Lippiatt was also in double figures scoring 12 points. Livvie Showalter added 6 to the cause.

West Branch will continue their season on Monday as they host Fitch.

WARRIORS GET FIRST WIN INSIDE EBC

/in /by

ALLIANCE OH- West Branch started their journey to fight for an EBC crown on Wednesday as they traveled to Alliance to take on the Aviators. They lead the whole way and roll to a 57-38 win.

Sophie Gregory led the Warriors with an impressive 25 point performance. Livvie Showalter was also in double figures adding a solid 18 points to the Warrior cause.

West Branch will stay in EBC play on Saturday as they host Carrollton.

CANFIELD’S DEFENSE LOCKS WARRIORS DOWN

/in /by

BELOIT OH- Tuesday night was the second game of the season for both Canfield, and West Branch. Both teams were coming off season opening wins. It was the Cardinals though that would take the day. Their defense made life miserable for the Warriors all night. Canfield won a low scoring affair 45-23.

Canfield was led by Alyssa Dill who secured double figures finishing with 13. Carlie Harmon, and Deanna Mike both finished the night with 6.

West Branch was led by Liv Showalter with 6 points. The Warriors only had 14 points through 3 quarters of play.

Canfield will return home on Friday and take part in a boy/girl double header against Marlington. Boys varsity is set for 6:00, girls varsity will follow. West Branch will stay on the road and travel to East Liverpool on Saturday.

IRISH OFFENSE OVERWHELMS WEST BRANCH

/in /by


CANFIELD OH- Last season, both of these two powerhouse local programs met for the first time with Ursuline walking away with the final of 38 to 31 in a close matchup.  With two of the best coaches in Dan Reardon and Ken Harris Many thought we’d see the same outcome, but little did they know, what was thought to have turned into a shootout on both sides quickly turned into one sided domination in the Regional Finals.  

 

Remember, the Irish were so close last season, but a loss to Mentor Lake Catholic halted their plans to make it to the State Semis in 2020.  Part of that was the contact tracing incident before that same Friday of last season.  This time however, everyone was healthy and ready to go.   

 

For the Warriors meanwhile, they came in as the first seed and looked to be the second undefeated state title team since the talented Warriors football program from the 1994 season. 

 

West Branch started the game off with a bang when quarterback and cornerback Dru DeShields picked off Brady Shannon going to the Irish 19 yard line.  Three plays later and DeShields finds Nick Wilson in the endzone from 11-yards out making it 7 to 0 Warriors.  

 

The hot Ursuline offense that everyone has seen all year along came back on the first drive however when on a play action, Shannon found the Harvard Commit Dean Boyd in the endzone 46-yards out tying it all at seven. 

 

Wilson and DeShields kept their show rolling, showing chemistry like McNabb and T.O. In the early 2000s with both connecting on a two-yard touchdown making it 14-7. 

 

However after that West Branch score, everything after that became the Ursuline show.  First was an end around sweep by Jakylan Irving who went 37-yards to pader.  After that it became the DMAC, DeMarcus McElroy show with three touchdowns.  One breaking free from the open hole going 42-yards and the other ones being nine and a yard out. 

 

Ursuline continued to run up the score with Shannon getting a three-yard touchdown making it 42-21.  DeShields found Wilson in the endzone again for the touchdown but it was not enough to catch the Irish as a Christian Lynch score put the game on Ice in the fourth quarter with the final score being 64 to 35. 

 

Stats 

DeMarcus McElroy 27-243, three touchdowns in a row

 

Brady Shannon: nine of 15 for 102 yards one touchdown and two interceptions. 

 

Jakylyn Irving  two carries for 45 yards, two receptions for 12 yards. Rushing TD. 

 

Christian Lynch three carries for 44 yards and a touchdown. 

 

Dean Boyd: two receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown.  

 

Steven Marra 13 carries for 72 yards

 

 Dru DeShields 26-35 322 yards four touchdowns and three interceptions.  Rushed 11 times for 30 yards. 

 

Nick Wilson, seven receptions for 116 yards. 

 

Up Next

Third seed Ursuline (10-3) are Regional Final Champions and will play fourth seed Port Clinton (13-1) from region 14 in the State Semis who are coming off of a big 49-21 win against the Van West Cougars who finish their season with a record of 12 and two. 

 

West Branch finishes their season with a 13 and one record, nearly having that undefeated season like the 1994 state champion team, but will have to wait for 2022 to try and accomplish that milestone again. 

 

*contributed by YSN’s Ian O’Brien*

 

WEST BRANCH BOYS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH MICHAEL BROWN

/in /by

BELOIT OH- There is a standard of excellence in every athletic program at West Branch. A quick look around their gym at all the bakers on the wall will reveal that. When talking about the boys basketball team, they come in to the 2021 season as the two time defending EBC champions. They also return a big percentage of their scoring from that team. Head coach Michael Brown heads into his third season with the Warriors, and with every season his philosophy and culture takes a tighter hold.  So don’t you expect the Warriors to take any steps back this season.

Coach Brown was able to stop by Running Point this week to talk about what his team will look like this year. He talks with Anthony Hartwig, and Ty Bartell about how well West Branch fans travel, the winning culture in the school, and much more. Episode 1 of Coach’s Corner with Michael Brown is live.

Presented By

 

WARRIORS MAKE THE RIGHT ADJUSTMENTS

/in /by

BOARDMAN OH- West Branch trailed 19-6 midway through the third quarter and then scored 20 points to defeat Perry 26-19 in front of a large Warrior crowd.

West Branch will get a rematch with Youngstown Ursuline next Friday at a site TBA in the Regional Finals.

West Branch was lead on offense by Dru DeShields who rushed 17 times for 98 yards and passed for 218 yards. He had a rushing and passing touchdown. Steven Marra had 62 yards rushing on 19 carries with 1 touchdown. Jaxon Hendershott had 5 catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. Nick Wilson had 8 catches for 73 yards while Christian Martig had 4 catches for 55 yards.

The defense came up with some big stops in the second half and were lead by Michael Kanagy with 12 tackles, Ryan Irwin had 6 tackles and Greg Rockwell with a sack. Dru DeShields and Jaxon Hendershott had key interceptions stopping Perry drives on our side of the field.

 

*Contributed by John Hancock at wbathletics.org

WARRIORS WIPE OUT CVCA

/in /by

BELOIT OH- The Warriors advance to round 2 of the playoffs after defeating CVCA at home. West Branch had 464 total yards of offense and 27 first downs.

The defense held CVCA to 97 total yards and 4 first downs. Dru Deshields broke the single season passing record with 2,898 yards on 196 completions. He was 23 of 33 for 296 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also rushed for 48 yards and a touchdown. Steven Marra had 90 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns along with 3 catches for 52 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. He now has 1,086 yards rushing on the season. Jaxon Hendershott had 6 catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. Christian Martig had 70 yards on 7 receptions. Nick Wilson caught 5 balls for 51 yards and Nathaniel Summers with 2 catches for 24 yards. The defense was lead by Michael Kanagy with 11 tackles and Thomas Egli with 8 tackles. Nick Wilson and Mitchell Coffee had a sack and Anthony Perry had an interception.

The team now has the school record for first downs, points scored, and total yards in a season. West Branch will play at home again next Friday vs Poland in round 2 of the playoffs.

*Contributed By John Hancock at wbathletics.org