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Busy times: WFMJ’s Balash talks sports at Curbstone Coaches
By Greg Gulas
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
For the past 34 years, WFMJ-TV sports director Dana Balash has called November his busiest and most rewarding month when it comes to covering area teams.
“The World Series has just ended, college and NFL football heads into the home stretch and area high school football teams are playoff bound while basketball for high school, YSU and the Cleveland Cavaliers is just getting under way,” he told the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s meeting at Avion Banquet Center. “Hockey, like basketball, has begun, cross country season is winding down while wrestling is about to get underway.”
With four of the 13 area high school football teams still alive in the postseason, Balash is glad that at least one area team is guaranteed of advancing to this year’s “Final Four” round.
“Congratulations to all four teams moving onto the regional finals this weekend,” he said. “Obviously, the area will have at least one team in the final four with the Hubbard-Girard winner moving on. I think all four teams are playing their best right now and along with that, you can also use a little luck.”
He feels that the Hubbard-Girard rematch, which was won by the Eagles in week No. 2 (48-32) at Hubbard, will draw much interest not just locally but statewide.
“This Hubbard-Girard rematch could be one of the best games in the state,” he said. “Davion Daniels is a brilliant runner and can throw the ball while Lukas Mosora could be arguably the best defensive player in the area. He’s a fire plug who registered over 20 tackles against Steubenville and if he was any bigger, I believe a lot of big time colleges would be looking at him.
“Girard has one of the best quarterbacks in Mark Waid, who should go down as one of the best from the Mahoning Valley to bark signals under center. This has the making of a 55-50 final score.”
Balash feels that Canfield and Warren JFK can also make some noise this weekend.
“I really think Canfield can move on, but the Cardinals will have to slow down a tough Kenston team that runs a no-huddle offense,” he said. “Coach Mike Pavlansky gets the most out of his kids and they’re playing excellent ball despite a couple key injuries.
“What a turnaround for Warren JFK. After starting 1-4 against a brutal schedule, head coach Jeff Bayuk has the Eagles in the regional finals once again. This team was a No. 7 seed at 5-5 and has won six of their last seven including two straight play-off games. You can never count out a Bayuk-coached team.”
Balash feels football officiating crews should stay intact come play-off time.
“I’m hoping that the OHSAA takes a hard look at play-off officiating crews,” he said. “It’s the most important time of the year for the teams and officials shouldn’t be learning on the job with a new crew.”
Balash was happy to see Youngstown State close out the home portion of its football season Saturday with a convincing 31-10 win over Norther Iowa.
“The Penguins played their best overall game of the year against UNI. Their offense, defense and special teams were all solid,” he said. “It’s too bad they couldn’t play that way the entire season. I feel as though their season-opening loss to Butler affected them the entire campaign.
“I asked coach Bo Pelini last week if he wants to return next year, with his contract expiring in February. He said he has never talked about his status until after the season, but we’re on the same page so I feel he’ll be back next year.”
Balash also expects both YSU basketball teams to assert themselves.
“It’s too early to get a read on the YSU men’s team as coach Jerrod Calhoun has a lot of new players,” he said. “On paper they appear to be better than last year’s eight-win squad. The Horizon League appears to be balanced so hopefully things go their way.
“My concern for the women’s team is their depth. Right now, they have but nine healthy players so head coach John Barnes will have to keep them as fresh as he possible with a long season ahead.”
Next week, Rob Conklin, NE8 commissioner and John Mang, Mahoning Valley Conference commissioner, will serve as guest speakers.