Sports

Only five unbeaten Mahoning Valley-area teams remain in prep football season

By Mike Brown

Updated September 14, 2023 9:37 PM

Then there were five.

That’s the number of football teams that remain perfect in the greater Mahoning Valley.

Ursuline

The leader in the clubhouse has been the Youngstown Ursuline Fighting Irish, who have steamrolled their way to a 4-0 record. The Fighting Irish of head coach Dan Reardon has dominated both sides of the ball and led the Division III Region 9 computer ratings. That region is traditionally one of the toughest in the state. It has turned out to be state champions in the past several seasons. Ursuline will entertain Warren Harding Friday night at Youngstown State’s Stambaugh Stadium.

Poland

Poland, which has a great football tradition, has been one of the surprises of the 2023 season. The Bulldogs, who were 5-5 last fall, are a perfect 4-0 on the year and are fresh off a 10-7 win over defending Division III state champion and arch-rival Canfield. Poland’s defense has been tremendous, allowing less than a touchdown per game. The Bulldogs hit the highway to Hubbard Friday night against the 3-1 Eagles in Northeast 8 action.

Jackson-Milton

Jackson-Milton has quietly but impressively built up a perfect 4-0 record and has been dominant in Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference play. The Bluejays have given up just 40 points for an average of 10 per game all season, while its offense is scoring at a 37.4 points-per-game clip. The Bluejays host the McDonald Blue Devils in a key MVAC battle on Friday evening.

United Local

United Local, under head coach D.J. Ogilvie, is the fourth Mahoning Valley area unbeaten at 4-0. The Golden Eagles haven’t had a close game yet this season and are coming off a 31-3 rout of Columbiana. They have a key Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference battle Friday night when the rival Southern Local Indians (3-1) visit Hanoverton.