Week #5 in the ITCL

Leetonia 32  Southern 26 Leetonia - Josh Selway continues to show why he is one of the best athletes in the ITCL.  Selway would rush for 165 yards on the night and score three touchdowns to lead the Bears to a perfect 5-0 record.  He would also pass for 68 yards, including a critical 59-yard pass to Andrew Trummer on a third and six situation early in the fourth quarter. Southern would jump out to a 16-0 lead on a Trey Griffith 81-yard TD catch, a Nathan Melhorn tackle of Selway for a safety, and a Melhorn 30-yard touchdown run. David Ramsey would add a 40-yard field goal before the half to make the score 20-19 Bears.  Melhorn would also add a touchdown run in the second half as he totaled 93 yards on the night. Leetonia fullback A.J. Bailey, who left the game late in the third quarter due to an ankle injury, rushed for 54 yards and three touchdowns.  The Bears defense came up with two crucial stops when they turned the Indians away on a fourth and two at midfield at the 8:34 mark of the second quarter.  And again on a fourth and four at the Southern 40-yard line with just 1:51 left in the game.

Coach Saling post-game comments

Andrew Trummer post-game comments

Coach Altomare post-game comments

The merger of the ICL and TCL was to give all the schools involved a more level playing field.  For everyone to have a chance to be competitive.  If the first five weeks of the 2008 season are any indication, it is working.  Several great games took place, with some favorites starting to rise to the top, while others are fighting tooth and nail to try to salvage a successful season.      Leetonia and Western Reserve came away with hard fought victories tonight as the Bears beat a gritty Southern team 32-26, while Reserve was able to sneak by Wellsville 27-24.  Both teams have now improved to 5-0 on the season.  McDonald kept pace with the Bears and Devils by outlasting a greatly improved Jackson-Milton team 61-30.      Columbiana was able to successfully follow up last week's big win by downing a very good United team 14-3, and Crestview was able to rebound from a loss to outscore an explosive East Palestine squad 34-28.  Mineral Ridge is now 2-0 in the league with a low scoring 13-7 win over the Springfield Tigers.      In other action from around the league, South Range overpowered Lisbon 53-7, and Lowellville beat Sebring 34-8.  The Raiders have now won four in a row since a week #1 loss, and the Rockets are tied for first in the Lower Tier with a 2-0 mark.      With the season now at the half way point, every game will be important.  The league standings, and possible playoff implications may be decided on a single play.  Thank you for a great first half of the season, and good luck to all teams on a good second half.