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A groundhog day scenario

Attention Ohio State fans looking for revenge and wanting it in the upcoming college football playoff, here is a scenario you should be rooting for when watching this week’s conference championship games. Since the beloved Buckeyes have been ranked fifth in the latest College Football Playoff rankings and the top four ranked teams are playing, the only other Top 10 teams also on the field this weekend will be a decimated No. 9 Clemson team lining up against a 23rd ranked North Carolina squad for the ACC championship and three-loss and 10th-ranked Kansas State who is playing TCU in ...

Good anglers make their own ‘luck’

The fishing community is comprised of a diversity of tactical approaches, species preferences, and beliefs and superstitions that run the gamut from plausible to unbelievable. Rooted deeply in the fiber of many who fish is a belief in luck as a factor in the outcome of their success on the water. “Lucky catch!” is not an uncommon expression. Truth is, luck does play into the equation out on the water, but one thing I have observed is the best anglers leave little to luck when they launch their boats and rig their rods. The best anglers I know are the ones who work the ...

End of year thoughts on YSU football

YOUNGSTOWN — There’s no doubt Youngstown State’s season reached a disappointing conclusion when the Penguins were left out of the FCS postseason. But make no mistake — the 2022 campaign was a much, much needed step forward for the program under Doug Phillips. After winning a ...

Will YSU make the playoffs?: An assesment of the Penguins’ resume

YOUNGSTOWN — Count Doug Phillips among those who believes Youngstown State has done enough to earn a playoff bid. “We’re playing in the toughest FCS in the country, and we won our last five out of six games,” YSU’s head coach said. “It doesn’t matter how you win — we found a way to win the last five out of six games. We have the best running back in the country and in FCS history.” But, he lamented, there were a couple games this season that could’ve given the Penguins much more breathing room going into today’s selection, which will air on ESPNU at 12:30 ...

Angler thankful for another year on the water

Hardly a day goes by without me noticing I truly am one lucky guy. Lucky in love. Lucky on the lake and in life. And certainly lucky to have survived a good number of years mostly intact (thanks to some very excellent medical care). So with Thanksgiving just four days away, I am dedicating this week’s column to express thanks for those people and experiences that have made 2022 a very good year. I truly am fortunate to have a passion for a pursuit that pays back huge dividends. Fishing has been my favorite pastime for more than 50 years—and it’s something that really does get ...

A look back to the sidelines: Q&A with former WGH coach Thom McDaniels

For nearly three decades, Thom McDaniels was widely regarded as one of Ohio’s elite high school football coaches. From 1982 to 1997 McDaniels guided the Canton McKinley High football program, where his teams compiled a 134-42 record. He led the Bulldogs to seven playoff appearances, ...