Jawalen Shaw

YOUNGSTOWN EAST

Jawalen’s performance: The East Panthers wore down Ashtabula Lakeside last Thursday on the legs of tailback Jawalen Shaw. The senior had touchdown runs of 61 and 86 in the second half of a 36-21 road win. He finished the game with nine carries for 174 yards and the two scores.

Improved o-line: “I just played, tried my hardest, and tried to do better than last year. Last year, I felt our line wasn’t blocking as good as they are this year and I didn’t have as many opportunities as I did last week.”

Keeping focused: “I can’t really let last week get to me. I just gotta keep playing and do better than what I did last week — score more touchdowns, play my role.”

Season goals: “Get over 1,000 yards rushing — I’ve never had that before. [I’m fighting] extra hard. I don’t go down off one tackle.”

Jalen Trimacco

STRUTHERS

Jalen’s performance: Not as physically imposing as one former Struthers linebacker who earned Vindy POTW honors (Braxon Koup), Jalen Trimacco did his best to help Wildcat fans forgot what they lost to graduation. The senior linebacker had 14 tackles in a 34-8 victory over Campbell. The Wildcats held the Red Devils to 66 total yards.

Good start: “It was a great feeling. Good for the community, good for everyone on the team, gets your hopes up and build off that for the rest of the season ... We’re just taking it week by week, game by game, and we’ll see from there.”

Team effort: “The defensive linemen just giving me gaps to go into to get tackles. My coaches also teaching me the right things to do. I was just doing my job.”

Getting help: “I had some good seniors ahead of me last year that taught me, Nick Pollifrone, Braxton Koup. They taught me everything I know.”

— Kevin Connelly