Early turnovers give Chaney good start in City Series win

In a 48-0 victory over, the offensive output in Chaney's favor was 389 to 84.
By BOB ROTH
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- The steady rain didn't hamper the Chaney Cowboys Thursday night at Stambaugh Stadium.
Chaney used 10 different ballcarriers to roll up 356 yards on the ground en route to a 48-0 win over Woodrow Wilson in the City Series opener for both teams.
The Cowboys (4-1) have won four straight after opening the season with a loss at Austintown Fitch.
"Early turnovers turned the game in our favor," said Chaney coach Ron Berdis, "and our people did a good job of controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball."
Chaney, ranked fifth in the Division II, Region 7 computer ratings, struck early after senior Andrew Boswell blocked Shawn Cook's punt, giving the Cowboys the ball at Wilson's 8.
Quick six
One play later, Chaney senior quarterback Justin Hood scored the game's first touchdown.
Wilson drove into Chaney territory on the following drive, but Cowboy junior Mike Rosa recovered a fumble and Hood followed with a 55-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0.
Kevin Merrell recovered another Wilson fumble to give Chaney the ball at the Redmen's 24 and Hood struck again, hitting Boswell for an 8-yard touchdown pass.
Hood finished with 87 yards on six carries and was 3-of-8 passing for 33 yards and two touchdowns, including a 19-yard scoring strike to Marlon Evans early in the third quarter.
"The people up front opened holes just like they always do and our total offense had a good working effort tonight," Hood said.
Chaney running back Chris Eskew scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the first half and Mike Hall added five carries for 64 yards.
Junior Dan Balog had three carries for 57 yards and Sykes added 72 yards on eight carries, including a dazzling 21-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.
"Our receivers gave me some good stock blocks on their defensive backs and I was able to go all the way," Sykes said.
The Cowboys outgained Wilson 389-84 and had a big advantage in first downs, 18-3.
Top Redman
Wilson sophomore tailback Martrail Benjamin had 78 yards rushing, including a 42-yard scamper on the Redmen's second possession that took them to Chaney's 33. A fumble ended the drive.
Rosa had a big game for Chaney, recording a blocked punt, a forced fumble, a sack and five solo tackles.
"Our defense takes every team seriously and our objective was to slow them down and stop big plays," Rosa said.
Wilson (0-5, 0-1) finished with six turnovers.
"We put ourselves in an early hole with turnovers," Wilson coach Dan DiGiacomo said.
"It is tough to win a game against anyone when you give the ball up that much, but I am proud of our kids' effort tonight because I asked them to play hard against the best team they will play this season and they did.
"Despite the score, there was improvement by our guys tonight."