YSU: Red Wins Again

The YSU offense pulled out a 35-34 victory over the defense in the spring final

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — It might have been just another jersey scrimmage, but the fans who came to Friday’s Youngstown State Red-White spring contest certainly got to see some outstanding football.

The Red team (offense) came out the winner with a 35-34 decision over the White team (defense), but the contest was still on the line in the final seconds.

With the Red leading 35-34 and three seconds remaining the White team had one last kickoff and needed a recovery to win the game.

Junior kicker Stephen Blose hit a perfect onside kick, which bounced off one Red player and Brandon Sibley recovered for the White, but the kicking team was called for being offside. Blose’s second onside kick attempt went out of bounds ending the contest.

It was the seventh straight victory for the Red team in this annual classic, although the White still holds a 20-17 overall lead.

“It was a good scrimmage,” said YSU coach Jon Heacock. “I think the change in temperatures brought out the best on both sides tonight, They played hard and really competed out there.

“I thought our backs ran very hard, but you also have to give some credit to the young offensive line, [which] did a great job also,” Heacock added.

The Red team was led by senior tailback Kevin Smith, who rushed for 107 yards on 12 carries and had the longest run from scrimmage, a 38-yard jaunt. All the tailbacks ran well as senior Dana Brown finished with 67 yards on nine carries and senior Jabari Scott had 54 yards on nine carries, including a 21 yard touchdown run.

But as well as they ran the ball the offense still only scored the one touchdown. Blose added a 33-yard field goal late in the scrimmage that gave the Red team their 35 points for the win.

“Kevin Smith ran very well tonight, but he works hard and he studies the game,” Heacock said.

Heacock said that now the work really begins for his team.

“This summer will be huge for this group,” he added. “Our guys want to be good and now they must really sacrifice over the summer if they want to become a great team.”

Senior quarterback Brandon Summers completed 9-of-15 passes for 87 yards, but the veteran was intercepted twice, once in the end zone by senior cornerback Lenny Wicks.

“Our quarterbacks have had a good spring, but they know that they have to keep working hard this summer to get ready for the season,” said Heacock.

Wicks and junior safety Brandian Ross came up with interceptions for the defense. Ross got his when Summers threw what appeared to be a perfect pass to sophomore Josh Lee, but redshirt freshman Bryan Gaiters jarred the ball loose and Ross was there to make the interception.

Sophomore linebacker Deonta Tate and sophomore Scott Senter led the defense with seven tackles each, while junior Jamie Frasure came up with two quarterback sacks.

Smith said that the offense played well.

“We played pretty good and we were clicking most of the time, but we still have a long way to go to get better,” Smith said.

He also echoed Heacock’s comments about summer workouts.

“After a 4-8 season we still got a whole lot of work ahead of us this summer,” he added. “We’ve got 15 seniors who are going to be out there getting this team right where it needs to be.”

mollica@vindy.com