Jack Arvin Classic
All-Star Game
By Jason Wellendorf
Warren - When the game was about to begin many people in attendance feared that this was going to be a miserably cold rainy game, but just five minutes before kickoff the clouds broke and the sun came shining through. The game started with Mahoning taking the opening kick. After a strong showing by the Trumbull defense, they would take over possession. This is the story that went on for most of the first quarter, and the rest of the game. After a few more possession changes, Mahoning County was ready to punt. The ball was snapped and the kick was off. Mike Thomas from the ITCL’s own McDonald Blue Devils was back to return the punt, it was a high flying ball but Thomas chose not to call for a fair catch. He was hit hard and fumbled the ball into the air which was grabbed by Quinton Pirl from Austintown-Fitch and returned to the 17-yard line. The drive would then be stopped by big defensive plays from the Trumbull defense.
The second Quarter began scoreless and would stay that way until about halfway through the stanza. Trumbull had the ball at around midfield when Ben Moody at running back saw an opening to the outside; he cut right and took off. He would run 48 yards for the first and only touchdown of the game. The game went back to a defensive battle after this touchdown. Players were handing out hard hits out like candy all night.
The third quarter started with Trumbull having a nice drive stopped at about midfield. This would set up a Nick Liste (Niles) punt that would give Mahoning County the ball at their own 1-yard line. This would set up a safety for Trumbull as Struthers’ running back Joe Balog would be tackled in the end zone. This would put Trumbull up 9-0. Mahoning County opted for an onside kick on the safety free kick and would get the ball back.
The fourth quarter was marked by another play by Nick Liste, this time it being a 32-yard field goal to put Trumbull up 12-0 and that’s the way it would stay. The MVP’s of the game were Ben Moody from the Trumbull team and Myke Parker for the Mahoning squad. Many ITCL players got a lot of playing time. Bob Banks a LB from Western Reserve was one of the five captains that walked out and shook hands at the half. Banks along with Lowellville LB John Vasilchek would tally quite a few hits for the night. Also on defense, Joe DePasquale would get some time at Corner. On Offense, Ben Carlile of Jackson-Milton would do some work at Quarter back. Also from Jackson-Milton, Jeff Balent would get some time at Wide Receiver. Mike Thomas and Alex Sampson from McDonald played a lot for the Trumbull Squad. There were other players from the ITCL in the mix as well as the ones listed here.