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A special event for a special team

There aren’t many things that can tie together a group of athletes quite like a championship season. There are memories that are created, moments that are shared, and times that can be looked back on as something those athletes will never forget. After being honored before, and during halftime, of Warren G. Harding’s matchup with Ursuline Friday night for the 50th anniversary of their state championship run, the players of the 1972 undefeated Warren Western Reserve Raiders football team convened at Enzo’s in Warren to continue the celebration Saturday afternoon Warren mayor ...

Former Chaney coach Chris Amill earns 1st win in NC

On the surface, it seemed as though Chris Amill had every reason to return to Youngstown Chaney for the 2022 season. Amill had guided the Cowboys program beginning in 2019 when football returned to the school following a nine-year hiatus. The Cowboys enjoyed immediate success, going 6-4 in their first year back, including three straight wins to close the season. Chaney (3-6) won a playoff game in 2020, then last year finished 4-5 despite suffering a rash of early-season injuries. A roster loaded with talent and experience was returning this fall. Most coaches would have seized ...

Thoughts from YSU’s week 2 win over Dayton

YOUNGSTOWN — In a number of ways, Youngstown State took a needed step forward in Week 2’s 49-16 decimation of Dayton. The offense had a record-setting day through the air, Jaleel McLaughlin once again broke the century mark and the defense was stingy for most of the day. However, as YSU coach Doug Phillips pointed out, the performance wasn’t perfect, particularly during a lull in which Dayton rallied to within 35-16 after YSU (2-0) had led 28-3. “Sometimes it feels like the good, the bad and the ugly, and we had all of that in the game (Saturday),” Phillips said. ...

Trying new, different things can yield great results

I heard the strike before I saw it, but I knew immediately it was no ordinary bass. Turning toward the commotion, I saw Ray Halter’s line zipping swiftly through the aquatic weeds, clipping the greenery as neatly as a scythe. He turned the bass and it jumped in protest, revealing its bulging belly and the lure stuck inside its gaping mouth. Ray and I were fishing a weedy reservoir last week to test whether the previous few days’ rains had cooled the water and triggered the fishes’ urge to turn up their appetites. It turns out they were hungry. The lure Ray was using, however, ...

League play begins

With three weeks of games in the books, the high school football season kicks into a new gear tonight with the start of league play for a large majority of area schools. Highlighting the week four slate is the 78th meeting between Mineral Ridge (3-0) and McDonald (1-2). The Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Tier foes first met in 1927 and played through 1941. The series resumed in 1961, and the two schools have since met on an annual basis. Tonight’s matchup marks the 62nd consecutive year for the rivalry, making this the longest continuous current series in Trumbull ...

The good and bad from YSU’s win over Duquesne

YOUNGSTOWN — Doug Phillips assessed things perfectly. YSU’s head coach noted following the Penguins’ 31-14 win over Duquesne that he liked the effort, but added, “We’re definitely not there yet.” Let’s start with the good. YSU’s run game remains potent, led by All-American tailback Jaleel McLaughlin. He averaged just over 10 yards per rush, amassing 203 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Behind him, Dra Rushton added 41 yards on six carries and provided a nice change of pace. That was especially true at the end of Saturday’s contest, as Phillips ...