Tag Archive for: Wildcats

WILDCATS POUNCE ON GIRARD

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GIRARD OH- Week 9 of the high school football season provided what might have been the game of the year in the Northeast 8 Conference between the No. 2 ranked Girard Indians and the climbing No. 16 ranked Struthers Wildcats.

These two run first teams left it all on the gridiron Friday night, but it was the Wildcats who had the last cheer in the contest. Struthers led by the Week 7 Big Dog of the Valley Alec Grzyb would march down the field six times to score the football against a stout Girard defense.

Both defenses earned a stop on the first drive of the night, but each would give up a touchdown on the second drive. Grzyb missed the extra point however and the Wildcats would trail in the first quarter 7-6 for quite some time. That was until Grzyb, Anthony Carter, Tyler Sanchez, and Najier Howard would head down the field once more to grab another touchdown and a 2-point conversion to tie the game after the Indians had found the endzone a few drives earlier on a Stephen Sims touchdown. They went to halftime all tied up at 14-a-piece.

Out of the gate in the second half Girard attempted an onside kick that would go out of bounds after making it past the first line of the Struthers return unit. Struthers with the ball at the fifty-yard line would take it straight to the endzone and earn their first lead of the night on an 11-yard Anthony Carter run. They would attempt to throw on the 2-point conversion and would not make it so they led 20-14.

Girard found the endzone twice via Stephen Sims in the first half, but they forced to make a quarterback change in the second half as Sims did not see any action. Sophomore quarterback Dominick Tollone took the reigns of the Indians offense and would quickly answer the score of the Wildcats finding the solemnly used tight end in Jake Doby on a long touchdown pass to tie the game. They would retake the lead thanks to the extra-point and then on the ensuing kickoff they would try and kick the ball high and short in another attempt to get the ball back to their red-hot offense. It was unsuccessful and once more the Wildcats would be setup with good field position in the second half. Struthers found a rhythm once again behind the legs of Grzyb and Carter as they marched down the field and Najier Howard connected with Alec Grzyb for a 23-yard touchdown pass. Yet again the Wildcats failed a 2-point conversion, and the score was 26-21.

Going into the fourth quarter it was still a close game, but momentum was clear in the corner of the cats as they earned two unanswered touchdowns and began to pull away from the Indians temporarily before Dominick Tollone found Bobby Alejars for a touchdown. Girard would make the extra point to close the deficit back down to a one score game 34-28. Struthers offense was humming in the second half of this game as once more they would drive down the field for their fourth second half touchdown as Devin Braham had one carry all night long and it turned out to be a forty plus yard touchdown run to put the game back to two possessions after Chaz Ekoniak would make a spectacular catch in the endzone on the two-point conversion.

Girard still had just over six minutes to score twice in the fourth quarter. Their offense began the drive after the Struthers touchdown very well as Michael Palmer had two big runs that put the Indians on the plus side of the fifty. However, Struthers defense came to play on this drive as they held up the Indians on third down near the forty-yard line and forced Girard into a fourth and one. The Indians then decided on fourth and one to throw a fly route towards the endzone instead of running the football and it would come down on the turf incomplete. Struthers would take control of the ball and run the clock out to win the game.

“Trust the climb” has been the motto all year for this Wildcats unit and the climb has them now in a tie for second place of the NE8 and in the playoff race thanks to their win against a top seeded Girard Indians. They now have a winning record for the first time since their week one win against Aquinas as their record pushes out to (5-4) overall and (4-2) in conference play.

Girard now loses their third game of the season falling to (6-3) overall and (3-3) in the conference. They have already clinched a birth in the OHSAA playoffs but their seeding may take a dive for the second straight week following the loss. They will try and right the ship next week back home against Niles. The Wildcats will again defend home field next week in a battle for second place of the conference against the Poland Bulldogs.

*Contributed By YSN’s Alek Koberna

SPRINGFIELD SENIORS HAVE VICTORIOUS NIGHT

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NEW MIDDLETOWN OH- Senior nights are a part of every season. Programs take the time to honor players that have given 4 years to their program. Springfield had 6 seniors to honor on Wednesday night. They honored them with a sweep over Struthers.

Baelyn Brungard led the Tigers offense with 9 kills on the night.  She was one kill away from a double double, she finished with 15 assists, she also had 7 digs.  Jameka Brungard finished with 6 kills, and 3 blocks.  Sami McKim led the team in digs with 26.  Jacey Mullen also had double digit digs with 14.

Springfield finishes the regular season with a record of 12-10. They are the 7 seed in the upcoming Division IV district tournament, and they’ll open their run on Tuesday hosting Newton Falls.

WILDCATS CREATE PROBLEMS FOR NILES

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NILES OH- Playoffs are on the horizon and for these teams a win can save your season, but a loss can make you go packing. Niles needs just two wins in order to make the playoffs, while a Struthers win could get them some more points and get a lock in. That action took place at Bo Rein Stadium, the Eastwood Mall Field on Friday as the Jim Parry led Niles McKinley Red Dragons (2-5) hosted the NE8 conference rivals John Bayuk and Struthers Wildcats (3-4). Niles has a record against Struthers in the 2000s with it being 10-8 but would that happen Friday?

A few keys in this game was also some returning players for the Red Dragons in Matt Keeley making his return for a second week while Antuan Gardner was wearing a cast but would play both sides of the ball. Gardner did not play for the last six games before opening week against Howland.

The start of the first quarter was a defensive struggle for both teams up until the end of the first where Struthers got two touchdowns. The first was an Alec Grzyb five yard run making it 7-0. On the ensuing kickoff, the Red Dragons talented receiver in Nathan Coots had a nice return but fumbled the ball as it was recovered by Struthers. One play later, Tyler Sanchez took it up the middle 61-yards for the score making it 13-0 after the missed PAT.

In the second half, Struthers extended their lead, taking a play from the 2017-18 super bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. The Wildcats used a Philly special with Grzyb and Robert Carcelli making it 20-0.

Many thought that would be it but it wouldn’t. Niles got the offense rolling with quarterback Anthony Budak finding chemistry with Coots. Which led to Coots scoring six yards out making it 20-6. Niles then recovered a Keyshon Talley onside kick which led to Budak finding Jamari White in the back of the endzone in tight coverage making it 20-13.

However, Struthers turned up the jets. Instead of running the clock, Jason Dukes off a play action found Grzyb as both switched places. The play worked to perfection resulting in a touchdown making it 27-13. Niles drove down the field but a few run plays with Gardner and a missed fourth down conversion ended up being the game as Struthers saved their playoff hopes with a 27-13 victory.

Stats
Struthers:

Grzyb: 6-8 72 yards passing. 14 carries for 76 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Sanchez 13 carries for 120 yards and a touchdown.

Niles:

Gardner: 23 carries for 85 yards

Coots: seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown.

Next
Niles (2-6) will have to win their next two matchups, the first being against the Hubbard Eagles (5-3) (2-3 in NE8) at Hubbard next week.

Struthers (4-4) will host Girard (6-2) (3-2) in the NE8 and can be locked in fully with a win next week.

After the game, Ian O’Brien caught up with coach John Bayuk and quarterback Alec Grzyb about the game and what to expect next week.

*contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*

INDIANS END CONFERENCE SCHEDULE STRONG

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STRUTHERS OH- Girard came in to Thursday still having a shot at a share of the NE8 championship. They needed to take care of business against Struthers, and then hope South Range would upset Lakeview. Girard did their part as they swept away Struthers. (25-14 25-15 25-9)

Lauren Pallone led the Indians offense by earning 15 kills on the night.  Bree Latell chipped in 10 kills to keep herself in double digits.  Ali Durkin had a great night setting as she finished with 31.  Bailey Walters led Girard’s defense with 16 digs.

 

Girard has their home finale coming up on Saturday as they welcome in undefeated Crestview. Struthers will host Mathews on Tuesday in a non conference test.

WILDCATS KNOCK JEFFERSON DOWN A PEG

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STRUTHERS OH- Jefferson came in to Friday having an incredible season. Their 5-1 record had them set at 2nd in Division 4 Region 13. Struthers season was on the other end of the spectrum. They have been on the wrong end of plenty of endings they’d rather forget. Winning is a good way to clear bad memories from the mind, and that’s exactly what the Wildcats were able to do with a 42-14 thumping of Jefferson.

Struthers had control of the game from the kickoff. They dominated the first half on their way to taking a 28-7 lead into the locker room. Anthony Carter had a great day for Struthers, and his third quarter 3 yard score put the game out of reach and made it 35-7.  After Jefferson answered quickly, Carter struck again with a 53 yard touchdown run to take away any momentum the Falcons might have gotten.

Struthers returns home next week hoping to build off this big win. They’ll be hosting Niles in another NE8 battle. Jefferson must shake off the loss and prepare to host conference leading South Range in Week 8.

LAKEVIEW ROCKS THE FIELDHOUSE

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STRUTHERS OH- Lakeview continued their run inside the NE8 on Tuesday as they traveled to Struthers and sweeps away the Wildcats. (25-10 25-5 25-11)

 

Tara Lytle stayed hot as she led the offense with 15 kills.  Maggie Pavlansky ran the Bulldog offense well as she finished with 23 assists.  Brook Schneider handled the back row with 13 digs to lead the defense.  Pavlansky, and Reagan Price both finished with 4 aces as well.

Lakeview stays in conference play on Thursdaybas they host Poland.  Struthers has to hit the road on Thursday and travel to Jefferson.

RAIDERS ESCAPE THRILLER WITH STRUTHERS

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STRUTHERS OH- South Range responded from their tough loss to Boardman on Monday by coming away with a thrilling 5 set victory over Struthers on Tuesday.  (23-25 19-25 25-18 25-16 15-6)

Maria Primavera led the Raiders with an impressive double double having 20 kills, and 16 digs.  Sarah Kuhns also completed a double double with 19 assists, and 12 digs.  Maddie Dado led the defense with 20 digs.  Madie Mook served up 5 aces on the night.

South Range will return home on Thursday as they host Jefferson. Struthers will continue to press on Wednesday as they host East.

EDISON FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH MIKE COLLOPY

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RICHMOND OH- When talking about programs that have steadily improved over the course of the last few years, look no further than The Edison Wildcats. Only a few years removed from a 2019 season which, unfortunately, saw The Wildcats have an 0-10 season. However, a 3-5 campaign in the COVID year and a 8-4 year last season shows the improvements Edison has continued to make. 

Of course credit goes to all the kids that have worked so hard to turn the program around, but thanks must also fall on the skipper Mike Collopy’s shoulders. Coach Collopy, a multiple sport coach that has seen plenty of success on the baseball field, has been a huge part in building the football program.

Starting off the season with a perfect 5-0 record, the improvements look like they are continuously being made for The Wildcats. Edison will have a tough road test against The Toronto Red Knights (4-1) on Friday, September 23rd. 

Coach Collopy got the chance to stop by Running Point to discuss with Anthony and Ty about the takeaways from the first half of the season, the goals and improvements for the second half and the upcoming matchup with Toronto. All this and more in this edition of Coaches Corner, found EXCLUSIVELY on YSN!

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EAGLES SPREAD THEIR WINGS IN OVERTIME

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HUBBARD, Ohio – In a matchup dating back to 1916, the Hubbard Eagles (4-1) played host to the Struthers Wildcats (1-4) in an NE8 Conference matchup. Both teams entered the night coming off loses to start conference play, the Wildcats a 13-23 defeat to the defensing champion South Range Raiders, while Hubbard saw themselves lose a second half lead to the Poland Bulldogs 21-28.

The Hubbard offense seemed to have picked up where it last left off in Poland, on a bad note. Of the Eagles five first half possession, the boys in blue were forced to punt four times with two three-and-outs. The only score of the first half would come from a Struthers punt return by senior Alec Grzyb from fifty-two-yards out.

After forcing the Wildcats to go three-and-out to open the second half, the Hubbard offense finally showed signs of life. Starting their initial drive of the second half at their own twenty-nine-yardline, the Eagles would chew up over seven and a half minutes of the third quarter clock. The fifteen play, seventy-one-yard drive would be capped by a Ben Wilcox touchdown run from two yards out, giving Hubbard their first lead of the night, 7-6.

The ensuing Struthers drive would see the Wildcats go for and convert on fourth down at the Hubbard thirty-five-yard line before turning the ball over on downs just four plays later at the Hubbard twenty-four. Five plays later with the Eagles driving, senior quarterback, Nik Hendrix, would find Xander Owens out of the backfield for a nineteen-yard gain before Struthers’ sophomore linebacker, Devin Braham, would rip the ball away from Owens to force a turnover.

Despite the shift in momentum, the Wildcats would make a few mistakes on their next drive and would again have to punt the ball away. After a poor punt would give Hubbard possession at their own forty, Wilcox would take the handoff on the first play of the drive fifty yards into Wildcats territory. Just two plays later, Wilcox would find pay dirt from one yard out for his second touchdown of the night and extend the Hubbard lead to 8.

Struthers needed little to no time to strike back. On just the second play of the ensuing drive Na’jier Howard would connect with Nico Farina twenty-two yards down the middle of the field, and Farina would do the rest with his legs for a sixty four yard touchdown. The Wildcats would go for two and convert on an Alec Grzyb to Chaz Ekoniak connection, knotting things up at 14.

Hubbard would set themselves up with great field positioning thanks to a fifty-five-yard Royal McConahy kick return. The Eagles would pick up a first down, before stalling out and leaving their freshman kicker with a thirty-five-yard field goal to win the game. Unfortunately for the young special teamer, a low snap never gave the Eagles a chance to walk it off in regulation as the kick would be blocked.

Heading into the first overtime series, Hubbard would start with the ball first. The Eagles needed just three plays to strike first in OT, Hendrix would find fellow senior tight end Mason Hodge from fifteen yards out. Struthers would fail to pick up a first down on their ensuing possession, their shot to the endzone on fourth and five would be hauled in but the receiver was out of bounds.

BIG PERFORMERS

HUBBARD:

Ben Wilcox: 20 carries, 104 rushing yards, 2 TDs

Nik Hendrix: 6-12 passing, 73 yards, 1 TD

Mason Hodge: 1 catch, 15 yards, 1 TD

STRUTHERS:

Alec Grzyb: 56 passing yards, 33 rushing yards, 52-yard punt return TD

Na’jier Howard: 5-8 passing, 79 yards, 1 TD

UP NEXT

Hubbard: Following their first overtime victory since 2019, the Hubbard Eagles will hit the road for a huge test against the Jefferson Falcons (4-1). These two programs have faced off nine times in their history, the first coming in 2010. Hubbard has won the past seven matchups in a row and lead the all-time series 8-1 outscoring the Falcons by a total of 356-132 in those games.

Struthers: After suffering their second overtime loss of the season, the Wildcats will now head home to play host to the Lakeview Bulldogs (3-2).Since 2009, Struthers leads the series 8-7 and have won the past four straight matchups by a combined 113 points.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson

EDISON DEFENSE GETS ANOTHER SHUTOUT

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RICHMOND OH- Edison’s defense is still putting in work as they pitched another shutout in a 34-0 win over Central Catholic.

Gage Cline was an unstoppable force on the ground. He ran for three touchdowns, and gathered another one through the air.  He was responsible for a total of 300 yards of offense for the Wildcats.  Dexter Lancaster set the tone for the Wildcats with a 55 yard touchdown return on a pick six.  Central Catholic would be held to just 44 yards of total offense.

There’s a big test next week for Edison as they will travel to Toronto to play the currently undefeated Red Knights.