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Staying on staff: 24 former HC’s are assistants in the Mahoning Valley

As far as Poland head coach Tom Pavlansky is concerned, there are never too many cooks in the kitchen. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians? Nonsense! It’s like suggesting that you can have too many former head coaches on the same sidelines. “You simply cannot place a value on experience,” Pavlansky said. “I wouldn’t trade those guys for anything. They keep me grounded, they can be problem-solvers because they’ve been through it all. Their presence is invaluable.” Pavlansky is referring to three former head coaches – Ryan Williams, Brian Palmer and Brian ...

Passion hasn’t faded at the end of an extended absense

Eight weeks. Two months. Sixty days. Doesn’t seem like a long time, but it can be an eternity when it comes to certain things – like waiting for the day when I would cast a line with hopes of hooking a fish. I knew before the surgical team at Cleveland Clinic anesthetized me June 20 that it would be a while until I returned to doing anything resembling “normal.” The surgeons and nurses did a great job and gradually I resumed walking, showering, cooking, writing this column and sleeping in any position other than flat on my back. Who knew I’d be pushing a grocery buggy ...

Gaining an appreciate for Warren football

Since starting my journalism career, I’ve had the opportunity to experience a few different things. Spring training in Arizona, a few different Arizona State sporting events, high school football in both Western Pennsylvania and in the Phoenix-metropolitan area, along with several other things. But the stories I’ve gotten to tell and the people I get to talk to along the way will always be the best part of those experiences, and over the past few months, I’ve gotten to dive into the history of football in Warren. It’s something I’ll never forget. Built at Mollenkopf is a ...

Coaching debuts highlight Week 1 of high school football

Backyard rivalries, a cross-country matchup and coaching debuts highlight the start of the 2022 high school football season, which kicks off tonight with a slate of eight games involving area schools. Highlighting tonight’s schedule is the 48th consecutive meeting between Niles and Howland. The two schools have met every year since 1975, with the Red Dragons leading the series 25-22. Howland has won each of the last two matchups by six points. In 2020, the Red Dragons and Tigers played in the final week of the season, with Howland prevailing 42-36. Last year, a pair of Ashleigh ...

A coaching masterpiece

Trumbull County has been blessed with a number of high school football coaching legends. In two different eras, Tony Napolet molded Warren John F. Kennedy into a football powerhouse. Andy Golubic Jr. lost just 31 of the 135 games he coached at McDonald. Bill Bohren is one of 17 coaches in Ohio history to log 300 career wins. Niles’ 48-game unbeaten streak which included a pair of state titles earned Tony Mason “Coach of the Century” honors in a 1999 Tribune Chronicle poll. Phil Annarella’s resume ranks right up there with the best of the best. The Ohio High School Football ...

Bass action picking up as summer transitions to fall

A few weeks remain for my surgery-induced fishing sabbatical, but the countdown is made easier by the fact I’ll be back in action when the smallmouth bass are transitioning to the fall bite. My doctors say I’m getting close to the day when I can tow and launch the BassCat, be strong enough to cast for hours and withstand the jarring hooksets on what I consider the premier gamefish of Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Regardless of your preferred style of fishing, smallmouth bass are out there to eat your lures and provide heart-pounding action. It’s a good thing my own ...