YSU FOOTBALL Third time is charm for Jewell

The lineman from Warren Harding earned his third player of the game award.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- For the third time this season sophomore center Ryan Jewell was named the Youngstown State football team's Jim Zdelar offensive lineman of the game.
But this one means a lot more to the Warren Harding High graduate because he earned the honor in a victory, as the Penguins rolled over Indiana State 45-20 last Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium.
The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Jewell anchored an offensive line that produced a season-best 418 total yards, including 278 rushing yards, and zero turnovers.
Other top games
Jewell also earned offensive lineman honors following the Florida International and Northern Iowa games, both losses.
He came into this season after having off-season surgery on his shoulder and missed all of spring practice. He re-injured his shoulder this year and missed part of one contest and all of another before returning to the lineup.
With two games remaining the Penguins are 3-6 overall and 1-4 in the Gateway Conference. Both remaining games are on the road, starting Saturday against Western Illinois (4-5, 2-3) at 2:05 p.m. in Macomb, Ill.
The Penguins close out the season Nov. 13 at Southwest Missouri State.
The Hill, Barth and King offensive player of the game was sophomore fullback Demetrius Ison and the defensive player of the game was senior cornerback Steve Reynolds. Special teams honors went to redshirt freshman Jeff Koval of Austintown.
Senior Nate Baston was named the Jermaine Hopkins defensive lineman of the contest.
Specifics
Ison (6-0, 226) scored two touchdowns, one rushing and one on a 23-yard pass from quarterback Tom Zetts. He finished with 39 yards rushing on seven carries and caught three passes for 56 yards.
Koval, a 6-1, 205 linebacker, was outstanding on special teams to earn his award.
Baston (6-1, 255) finished with three tackles, including one was for a loss.
The Haines Family Player of the Game award went to junior tailback Josh Cayson (5-10, 165) for the second straight week.
The Warren JFK graduate had a career-best game against Indiana State as he rushed for 158 yards on 32 carries and scored twice, returned three kickoffs for 80 yards and caught one pass for 4 yards. He had 242 all-purpose yards.
Junior free safety Aaron Scales (Cleveland) was selected by the coaches for making the Wash-on-Wheels Derek Pixley Hit of the Week.
mollica@vindy.com