Ruman: Valley’s unbeatens becoming fewer

The Mahoning Valley has had at least one team log an undefeated season in each of the past 16 years. If the trend is going to continue in 2015, it will have to be accomplished by one of six schools — Warren Harding, Poland, Jackson-Milton, Salem, Lisbon or Crestview. All six schools currently stand at 4-0.

The list of undefeated area teams shrunk from nine to six last weekend when Hubbard, Warren John F. Kennedy and Mathews fell from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Hubbard’s loss to Lakeview snapped a 25-game, regular-season winning streak.

The number of undefeated teams will grow shorter tonight when Crestview hosts Jackson-Milton.

Harding’s future schedule doesn’t include a single team with a winning record, however the Raiders will be tested by the likes of Ursuline, Mooney and Howland.

Salem will receive a stern test of its own tonight when it visits Marlington (3-1). The Quakers also have to deal with Louisville and West Branch down the road.

Poland will close its season with games against Lakeview, Hubbard and Canfield (all 3-1).

By virtue of Hubbard’s loss, Poland now owns the area’s longest current regular-season winning streak at nine games. Ironically, it was Hubbard that gave Poland its last regular-season setback.

The Bulldogs also own the area’s longest current consecutive playoff appearance streak at eight years.

SOARING BLUEJAYS

Jackson-Milton’s 4-0 start is a feat it hadn’t accomplished since 1997. The Bluejays now have their sights set on a goal it has never achieved — a playoff berth.

Jackson-Milton, along with Sebring, are the only two area schools to never reach the postseason.

The Bluejays currently are ranked second in the Division VII, Region 23 computer ratings.

“The best thing about this team is that they aren’t at all satisfied just yet,” said Jackson-Milton coach Mark Assion. “The players, they didn’t show up at practice this week feeling as though they have accomplished something special. In their eyes, they have done what they believed all along they would do. They feel as though they haven’t reached all their goals.”

Assion said that his team “is pretty much where I expected it to be at this point,” and added that a pleasant surprise has been the performance of his kick return unit. The Bluejays have returned three kickoffs for touchdowns.

“The fast start has been fun for the whole school, for the whole community,” Assion said. “High school football in northeast Ohio is such a big deal. People are so passionate about the game, so when your school does well, it benefits everyone in the community”

PANTHER PRIDE

After going just 2-8 a year ago, East has already matched that win total with a 2-2 start. The Panthers started the season at 0-2, but have since won games at Liberty and Niles. It marks the first time the Panthers have won back-to-back games since they closed the 2010 season with victories over Chaney and Akron Ellet.

“These kids, they are starting to learn the game, they are starting to learn the program,” East coach P.J. Mays said after the Panthers’ 41-28 win at Niles. “We’ve had a lot of youth on this team who has taken some shots, but they are starting to get it. They are seeing that they are winners.

“Our players are doing things the right way both on and off the field, and I couldn’t be more proud of the progress that I’ve seen from them and from this program overall.”

Against Niles, East amassed 475 yards of total offense. James Boatwright threw for 198 yards while Leon Bell (15 carries, 157 yards) and Mike Lawrence (11 carries, 141 yards) each eclipsed the 100-yard barrier. Then there was the play of wide receiver Imoni Donadelle. The senior touched the ball four times on the night, and scored four touchdowns. Donadelle had touchdown receptions of 41, 15 and 90 yards, and also returned a kick 75 yards for a score — all in the first half.

“The first thing people need to know about Imoni is that he’s a great person, a great student who does very well away from the football field,” Mays said.

Leading 28-21, the Panthers iced their win over Niles when they put together a 14-play, 99-yard drive that took 11:13 off the clock.

“That drive showed a lot of heart, and I’ve said all along this group of young men have great heart,” Mays said.

Contact Steve Ruman at sports@ vindy.com.