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Harrison News-Herald Sports
Lady Huskies volleyball gets two more victories
HC varsity boys soccer falls to Trojans; win sectional game barn burner
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Huskies cross Creek 33-23, continue final playoff push
BY SHARON DALTON Harrison News-Herald Sports Writer
The Harrison Central’s varsity boys soccer team celebrates their sectional playoff win over visiting Tri-Valley. Photo by Kris Puskarich.
BY JULIE MARSHALL Harrison News-Herald Sports Writer On Thursday, Oct. 14, the Harrison Central varsity boys soccer team hosted the Tusky Valley Trojans at Wagner Field. It was a mostly defensive match for the Huskies. In fact, sophomore goalkeeper Jaydis Yoho made his first save one minute after the kickoff. The Trojans had quick, precise passes that kept the ball moving toward their target. Tusky Valley scored first with over 32 minutes remaining in the first half. Their second goal, 11 minutes later, was from an indirect kick after a Huskies handball violation. Even though Yoho dove for the save and made contact with the ball, it still went in to increase the Trojans’ lead 2-0. Then with 6:21 left in the half, senior team captain Ben Puskarich booted a kick over the goalkeeper’s head to make the score 1-2. The Trojans came out of the halftime huddle on fire, scoring a goal one minute into the half and then again three minutes later to raise the score to 4-1. The Huskies managed to shut down Tusky Valley’s scoring but were unsuccessful
in their many shots on goal. The game ended 1-4, with Yoho nabbing 13 saves during the contest. Head coach Derek Gramling was very disappointed and only commented, “the less said about tonight, the better.” A revitalized and determined Husky team showed up on Tuesday, Oct. 18, for a home sectional playoff game against Tri-Valley High School from Dresden, Ohio. The cold weather did not deter the many fans who came out to support and cheer on the Huskies, though. The teams were comparable in skill level, making for an exciting evening of aggressive soccer complete with tripping, obstruction, pushing, handballs, and offside offenses. The first half was scoreless, but the Tri-Valley Scotties scored 10:12 into the second half. The Huskies tied the score six minutes later when junior Jace Madzia crossed his corner kick to senior Jacob Mattern, who delivered the ball between the sticks for a 1-1 tally. Just a minute later, junior Kaden Jurosko had a throw-in that was settled by a Scottie but then stolen by Madzia, who
The Harrison Central Lady Huskies took on the Red Knights at home on Wednesday, hoping to continue their winning streak. They would take all three sets to take revenge on the Red Knights after losing to them in five sets earlier this season. McKayla Dunkle racked up 17 kills and 8 blocks. Logan Johnson recorded 27 assists, and Maddy Butler had 25 digs and 20 points. Danica Rensi contributed 11 points to the victory. The Husky JVs would lose to the Red Knights 2-1. After winning the first set 25-15, they would drop the final two sets, 12-25 and 19-25. On Thursday, the Huskies would invade the Steubenville Catholic Crusaders. The Huskies would extend their winning streak by defeating the Crusaders in four sets with scores of 2517, 25-21, 19-25, and 25-18. Leaders for the Huskies were Logan Johnson with 30 assists and 15 points, Maddie Butler with 22 digs, and McKayla Dunkle with 22 kills and 6 blocks. Sarah Touville chipped in 12 points. Husky JV squad would lose their contest 2-0 by scores of 25-20 and 25-17.
See HC VARSITY BOYS Pg.- 9
Volleyball loses close sectional match vs. Barnesville Maddy Butler (diving) and Leah Cottrell (standing) return a ball during a defensive set against Barnesville this past Tuesday night. The Huskies held a one-set lead at two different points in the evening, but the Shamrocks forced five sets and ultimately won the match 3-2. Butler finished with 33 digs and 12 points. Harrison News-Herald Photo/D.J. WATSON
Kasey Novak defends the net against the Toronto Red Knights. Harrison News-Herald Photo/SHARON DALTON
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Huskies running back Mykel Quito (30) fights through a host of Redskins in the second half of last Friday’s game in Cadiz. Harrison. News-Herald Photo/D.J. WATSON
BY D.J. WATSON Harrison News-Herald Sports Writer CADIZ—Three weeks ago, the Harrison Central Huskies were locked in the grip of a five-game losing streak, and playing football in Week 11 did not appear to be in the cards for a group that has been through the wringer this season. But oh, how a few weeks can change things. For the first year ever, the OHSAA is advancing 16 teams in each region to the statewide tournament in each division. That means the Huskies (4-5), who knocked off a now 6-3 Edison team two weeks ago, then moved on to drop Indian Creek 33-23 last Friday night in Cadiz, are right in the thick of the backend playoff race in Division V Region 17. Not many would have predicted a Week 10 showdown with Buckeye Local would be considered a virtual “play-in” game. But again, here we are. The Indian Creek Redskins could have spoiled all of that talk — and Senior Night as well — but Huskies running back Nathan Bertolino would have none of that. The senior racked up 182 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, guiding his team to their second win in as many weeks. “This was a good team win for us, from scout team players to varsity players to coaches. Everybody did their job. You know that when you play Coach Connor’s [Indian Creek head coach] team that you are going to be competing against a well-prepared and physical football team. They competed their butts off last week. That’s a credit to him and See HUSKIES CROSS CREEK Pg.- 9
