"Cupan propels Devils to 500th Win"
McDonald - Senior Nick Cupan helped lead the Blue Devils with three touchdowns, and solid linebacker play as they won the 500th game in the schools history. Cupan would put the game away four minutes into the fourth quarter with a 70-yard kickoff return that put the Devils up 29-14.
The Devils would score on their first possession of the game. A 68-yard drive culminated in a 4-yard run by Cupan to put McDonald up 7-0. The Devils would add to the lead when quarterback Zach Puntel would hit a wide open Justin Rota for a 75-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter.
Springfield would answer right back as Joey Ohlin returned the ensuing kick back to the Devils 15-yard line. Two plays later, Dylan DeJane would rumble in from 15 yards as the Tigers cut the lead to 15-7.
The Tigers would threaten again just before the half, but a stingy McDonald defense would turn them away on a fourth down play at the Devils 18-yard line.
It looked like the Tigers made a costly mistake early in the second half when a punt snap sailed over the head of Tanner Avent, recovered by the Devils at the Tiger 27-yard line. However, the Tiger defense would come up big this time, turning the threat away.
Cupan would score his second touchdown, this time a 13-yard jaunt at the 3:17 mark of the third quarter with the Devils up 22-7. The Tigers would answer with a Jimmy Zubick 21-yard run as the cut the advantage 22-14. That is when Cupan would return the kickoff for a touchdown.
Springfield would add a 23-yard touchdown pass from Brad Ferraro to DeJane with just 2:34 left in the game. McDonald would recover the on-side kick and run out the clock.
Cupand would finish the evening with 117 yards rushing on 20 carries, while Ferraro would lead the Tigers with 54 yards rushing on the night.
"Bears Load Up With a Bowl of Spaghetti"
Lisbon - Reminiscent of last year, the Leetonia Bears came out strong in the second half of their contest with Lisbon to pull away with a 41-7 win. Just like last year, the Devils scored early to take the advantage, only to see the Bears roar back with 41 unanswered points. Bears receiver Justin Collela would have a hat-trick on the night with two touchdowns via pass receptions, and one on defense as memories of Josh Selway were revised.
Robert Wilcox scored on a 8-yard run early in the first quarter tto put the Devils up 7-0, however touchdown runs by A.J. Bailey and Seth McNally put the Bears up 13-7 at halftime.
The Bears continued the momentum to start the second half with a grueling 13 play, 73-yard drive culminating in a 2-yard touchdown run by Kyle Gray. The Bears would add to the lead with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Collela from Lance Tullis.
They would continue to push the advantage early in the fourth quarter when Tullis would hit Collela again. This time it would be a 63-yard touchdown pass. Collela would make a 45-yard interception return to extend their lead shortly there after, 41-7 to close the scoring.
Collela would end the evening with 6 receptions for 140 yards, while Tullis was 10 of 13 passing for 200 yards. Jake Terry would lead the Devils with 50 yards rushing, and Wilcox added another 37 yards rushing.
"Clips win a Wild One"
Staff Reports - Columbiana - The Clippers battled back and forth with Central Catholic scoring a touchdown in the overtime, while turning the Crusaders away on a two-point conversion attempt. The Clippers were lead by sophomore quarterback Austin Barbato as both teams were able to score reguarly while also coming up with standout defensive plays.
"Rams Come up Short in Second Half"
Staff Reports: Mogadore - The Wildcats scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter to turn away a very talented Rams team. The Cats jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but the Rams battled back to tie the game going into halftime at 14-14.
The Rams would even take the lead at 21-14 after three quarters, but the Cats had to go to the air as the Rams stingy defense would not give away any yards to the Mogadore traditionally potent rushing attack. Despite the loss, the Rams came away with a very solid effort on the night.
Unfortunately, a number of ITCL teams dropped the season opener Friday night as Mineral Ridge came up just short against perennial playoff contender Mogadore 28-21, United lost to Minerva 27-44, Lowellville got mauled by Malvern 45-7, and Coach Brophy lost his Sebring debut to Rootstown 47-0.
One game that is under suspension due to inclement weather is the South Range - Tuslaw contest. The game is schedule to resume at 4:00PM tomorrow with the score tied at 7-7 in the second quarter.
The South Range Raiders played an outstanding second half to record a 24-14 win against Tuslaw in a game that was stopped Friday night due to inclement weather. The win is the Raiders 300th in school history.