TORONTO — A poor showing on offense can really hurt a defense. Toronto struggled to move the ball most of the night against Bellaire’s stifling defense, forcing the Red Knights’ defense to stay on the field quite a bit. In the end, the Big Reds were able to wear down Toronto, as it ...

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — For the first 13 minutes of Friday’s game against Martins Ferry, St. Clairsville had exactly zero first downs, a pair of three-and-outs and was staring up at a 6-0 deficit. It’s amazing how quickly the tide can turn. The Red Devils — the state’s top-ranked ...

SHADYSIDE — After dropping its first two games, Wheeling Central needed some kind of spark. And the Maroon Knights seemed to find one. Jordan Waterhouse and Payton Marling combined for all of Wheeling Central’s touchdowns as it secured its first victory of the season with a 35-17 triumph ...

MORRISTOWN — With its top two tailbacks sidelined with injuries, Harrison Central turned to a newcomer. The Huskies also had Kobe Mitchell. With Mitchell accounting for five touchdowns and converted guard Nathan Bertolino rambling for 75 yards and six points, the Huskies (3-1) bounced back ...

YORKVILLE - Indian Creek entered Friday night’s game against homestanding Buckeye Local in unchartered waters. The Redskins have blossomed into an OVAC big-school power over the past 18 years under the adept tutelage of head coach Andrew Connor. His youthful and rebuilding charges entered ...

WOODSFIELD — Friday evening’s game between Caldwell and Monroe Central featured a little bit of everything; onside kicks (only one kick was not a squib, pooch, or onside attempt), a pick-six, clutch passes, and power running. The only thing missing was a punt, as neither the Redskins nor ...

BARNESVILLE -- Barnesville had come out on the short end three years in a row against Shenandoah, but the Shamrocks weren’t going to let it happen again. Sparked by a stellar defensive effort that forced four turnovers by the Zeps, the ‘Rocks improved to 3-1 with a 22-8 victory at ...

HANNIBAL - For one quarter Friday night momentum meant everything to Magnolia, which outscored cross-river rival River 14-13 in the second chapter and trailed just 20-14 at halftime. But momentum can be a fickle thing and as quickly as Coach Dave “Doc” Chapman’s Blue Eagles gained it ...

The year was 1977 and I was a senior at Troy High School in southwestern Ohio. Rumor had it one day that a college football coach was coming to the school on a recruiting mission. That was nothing really new because we had a really good football tradition, with quite a few players going on to ...

WHEELING - All OVAC championships are cherished at the Linsly School. The golf crown the Cadets captured Thursday afternoon under ideal conditions at Oglebay Park’s Crispin Course will always rank extremely high on the list of the 18 the school now owns. And that’s for a myriad of ...

CADIZ -- St. Clairsville remained unbeaten in boys’ high school soccer action Thursday night. And did so impressively. Nate Thornburg found the net twice and assisted on a third goal as the Red Devils (5-0-2) blanked homestanding Harrison Central 6-0 on the artificial surface at Wagner ...

MORRISTOWN — Martins Ferry and Barnesville boast two of the more storied cross country programs in Belmont County. The two added another chapter to their success stories Wednesday afternoon at Union Local High School. The Purple Rider boys continued their pack running en route to ...

HANNIBAL — Union Local wasted little time in taking care of homestanding River Wednesday evening in three games by scores of 25-9, 25-9 and 25-7. Sophomore Torre Kildow had 10 kills and four digs. Casey Kildow added seven kills and four digs. Reagan Vinskovich had six kills and two ...

As the second half of Ohio’s abbreviated 6-week high school football season kicks off tonight, there is only one team -- Bellaire -- that is looking to go 4-0. There are just three squads -- Barnesville, Monroe Central and Shenandoah -- that are seeking 3-1 starts. There are eight games on ...

MORRISTOWN - There will be a lot riding on Friday night’s clash between Harrison Central and Union Local at Jets Stadium, even with both teams coming off tough losses last week. Coach Bernie Thompson’s 1-2 record Union Local squad played a solid second half at Martins Ferry last week ...

SHADYSIDE — Every year when Wheeling Central and Shadyside take the field against each other, it’s almost guaranteed to be a battle. This year looks be no different. After starting the season 0-2, the Tigers captured their first win of the year after dismantling Magnolia 50-20, which also ...

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A lot of things have changed in sports — and the world — during the last several months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, one thing that hasn’t been affected is the spirited rivalry between St. Clairsville and Martins Ferry. The two long-time foes will ...

WHEELING — Wheeling Central’s Justin Doerr, only a sophomore, did not shy away from the moment on Tuesday afternoon at Oglebay’s Crispin Golf Course. In a playoff hole for the 1A/2A OVAC title and going head-to-head with senior and last year’s defending champion Cole Tegano of ...

SHADYSIDE — Many times in athletics it’s not how you start, but how you finish. Such was the case Tuesday night inside the Tigers’ Den as Shadyside (9-0) overcame an 8-2 deficit in the first set to sweep visiting Monroe Central by scores of 25-20, 25-19 and 25-18. It was the second ...

BRIDGEPORT -- The invading Purple Riders completed the season volleyball sweep of the Bulldogs Tuesday evening by scores of 25-16, 20-25, 25-13 and 25-15. Bridgeport was led by sophomore Emmi Felton’s nine kills, three assists and two digs. Kaylee Bain added six points, three kills, four ...