OFFENSE

JON BALLARD

Quarterback

Austintown Fitch

Last week the junior completed 14 of 19 passes for 199 yards and a school-record tying four touchdown passes in the Falcons’ 35-14 victory over Chaney. Last season, Last season Ballard threw just three touchdown passes the entire campaign. This weekend, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound junior will lead the Falcons against East High Friday in one of the area’s best matchups.

Quotable: “The new offense has been a big change. We did some of it last year and carried it on to this year. I like it; it lets me show my talent off more.”

DEFENSE

SCOTT GOSS

Linebacker

Springfield

The Tigers defeated Struthers, 24-7, last Friday, forcing four turnovers. Two of the Wildcats’ miscues were fumbles recovered by Goss, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound junior. Springfield held Struthers to 160 total yards and in the process got their 2008 season off to a strong start after a 2-8 finish in 2007. The Tigers play Youngstown Christian Friday at 7 p.m. at Canfield High’s Cardinal Stadium.

Quotable: “Last year our season wasn’t so great for us, so we wanted to get off to a good start. We did really good against Struthers.”