Mahoning/Columbiana team shines in Jack Arvin All-Star Classic
CANFIELD — The Mahoning/Columbiana all-stars were clicking in all three phases of the game and cruised to a 24-0 win over Trumbull County in the 37th annual Jack Arvin All-Star Classic football game before 2,500 fans at Canfield’s Bob Dove Field Thursday night.
“I thought our kids played well,” said a pleased Mahoning/Columbiana head coach Dan Reardon of Youngstown Ursuline. “The past couple weeks have been a lot of fun because you get to coach some guys that you coached against all season and some other kids from other conferences that we don’t have familiarity with, but a lot of really good football players.”
“I think we were minus three, we had three turnovers and costly penalties, and it’s hard to overcome that stuff,” said Trumbull head coach Tom Conrad of Warren Champion when discussing the keys to the outcome.
The two teams have now split their last two meetings since the series resumed last year after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trumbull won last year’s game, 31-21.
Mahoning/Columbiana’s Alec Grzyb of Struthers named game MVP
On offense Thursday, the hosts were led by MVP Alec Grzyb, the Struthers quarterback who had a scintillating 65-yard catch and run for a touchdown off a throwback pass in the fourth quarter. Grzyb was named the game’s MVP.
“We ran it (the throwback pass) in practice, and I thought that could be a big play,” smiled Gryzb while holding his MVP plaque after the game. “My line made a great block, and I just cut it up off of them, and I just took it home.”
Jamell James was also key for Mahoning/Columbiana
Meanwhile, Gryzb’s teammate, Jamell James, the standout running back from Austintown Fitch, scored the winners’ first two touchdowns in the first half and finished with a game-high 93 yards on 11 carries.
How the Mahoning/Columbiana defense helped
On defense, the Mahoning/Columbiana stars forced three Trumbull turnovers, including a fumble recovery by Cardinal Mooney’s Ty Reali and interceptions by Fitch’s Christian Latone and Jackson-Milton’s Owen McDevitt.
“Turnovers,” said Trumbull head coach Tom Conrad of Warren Champion when discussing the keys to his squad’s setback. “We run a jet sweep, and we bust it there, and we try to switch hands in the open field, and we fumble. We had some momentum there, and it took the wind out of our sails. Then we had a good drive going into the fourth quarter, and we threw a pick down at the two-yard line. Turnovers just kill you — regardless, that’s football.”
“The defense played great,” lauded Reardon. “Those (takeaways) were huge, obviously, and then on the flip side, we did a real good job of taking care of the ball.”
And on special teams, Canfield’s standout kicker Joel Miasek booted a 35-yard third-quarter field goal for the victors.
Leading Trumbull’s offense was Brookfield quarterback Donovan Pawlowski who finished with seven carries for 64 yards.
Mahoning/Columbiana grabbed the lead early
Mahoning wasted little time setting the tempo, marching 73 yards on its second drive of the night, capped by a seven-yard scoring run by Fitch’s James around the right side with 1:19 left in the first quarter. Miasek added the PAT kick, and the hosts led 7-0.
With Mahoning’s defense holding Trumbull County to 82 yards offense in the first half, the hosts took advantage of good field position and scored again just before the half. Mahoning drove 53 yards to find the end zone on a fourth-and-goal at the one bolt up the middle by James. Miasek added the PAT boot to make it 14-0 at halftime.
“Jamell is a really good running back, and our quarterbacks (Grzyb and Jackson-Milton’s Alex Schiavi) played well, and I thought the offensive line played well,” observed Reardon. “It was just fun to coach all those great players. It’s fun to coach football in June and have a game.”
After a scoreless third quarter, Mahoning/Columbiana began to put things out of reach when Miasek boomed a 35-yard field goal, giving the winners a 17-0 advantage with 11:25 left in the game.
But the play of the night occurred with Mahoning on offense with just over six minutes remaining. That’s when quarterback Grzyb, a speedster, took the snap from center and handed it off to Youngstown Ursuline’s Will Burney, who raced toward the right side, then turned and fired a throwback pass on the left side to Grzyb, who took it to the house from 65 yards out. Miasek added the final point on the night with his successful PAT kick to close out the 24-0 win with 6:32 showing.
“It’s just a great feeling for all my teammates,” said Grzyb. “Defense did it; they shut them out, so kudos to them.”
“On offense, we had some fun and were able to put some points up,” praised Reardon.
Despite the setback, Conrad was pleased with the effort of his Trumbull stars.
“It was fun, and it was great to get a head start on coaching for the fall,” said Conrad. “We’re happy, it was a lot of fun, and I’m pleased with our effort.”
NOTES:
At halftime, a special presentation was held as the Mahoning Valley Coaches Association, which co-sponsors the game with ScoutingOhio.com, honored South Range coach Dan Yeagley and Canfield coach Mike Pavlansky with plaques for leading their teams to state football playoff championships this past season. South Range won the D5 state title with a 53-27 triumph over Ironton. Canfield claimed the D3 state championship with a 35-14 romp over Bloom-Carroll.
MAHONING/COLUMBIANA 24, TRUMBULL 0
Trumbull 0 0 0 0 — 0
Mahoning 7 7 0 10 — 24
MAH — Jamell James, 7 run, 1:19 1st (Joel Miasek kick)
MAH — Jamell James, 1 run, 32.7 2nd (Joel Miasek kick)
MAH — Joel Miasek, 35 field goal, 11:25 4th
MAH — Alec Grzyb, 65 pass from Will Burney, 6:32 4th (Joel Miasek kick)
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