By RICH KELLY

Ashtabula Star Beacon

ORWELL

In following a playoff run in Division V last year, the Youngstown Christian Eagles have gotten off to a 4-0 start this season by completing a run over the last two weeks in games involving the valley boys from Ashtabula County.

In successfully knocking off the Pymatuning Valley Lakers and Grand Valley Mustangs in successive weeks, the Eagles used totally different offensive efforts and a similar defensive effort.

Last week, their ground game chewed up 212 yards of turf in Andover. Friday night in Orwell, the Mustangs, knowing they needed to shut down the speedy running game of the Eagles, fell victim to a nasty passing game that accounted for 198 yards as Youngstown Christian rolled to a 31-0 triumph.

“We knew we had to shut down their ground game tonight to have a chance,” Grand Valley coach John Glavickas said. “They are just such a speedy team. We felt we needed to make them throw the ball.

“Unfortunately for us, they have a lot of speed outside, too. They’re just so athletic and so fast, they’re just a great team. On film, you see their speed, but then when you see it live, you just never get a true idea of it until you see it.”

Eagles quarterback Emmett Underwood hit only 5 of 12 passes last week for 87 yards. This week, he was much sharper, especially when he found Darien Townsend.

The duo hooked up for nine completions for 131 yards, and Underwood completed 13 of his 18 attempts for 189 yards. Backup Paris Bennett hit his only completion in four tries for another 9 yards.

A stout Mustang defense keyed on and stopped Ryan Grier, limiting his to 76 yards on 19 carries after he ran through PV for 151 yards last week.

“You have to admit that GV really played a tough football game tonight,” YCS coach Brian Marrow said. “As usual, our defense carried the load for us again tonight and we got big plays on offense to score.

“Darien has been a big playmaker for us all season, and he’s just such an electrifying runner when he gets the ball. He is so quick that he can really make guys miss tackles, and that extra yardage comes at important times.”

“I just focused this week on preparing extra hard,” Underwood said. “I was able to hit my targets well.”

Townsend also focused well during the week.

“I just tried to plan on making plays,” he said. “We just all want to do our best each game.”