Week 2- Youngstown High School (1-0) @ Warren G. Harding (0-1)
- David Baugh
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
After finishing the 2025 football season with a record of 3-6, Warren G. Harding went to work. So much so, nine active players now hold a combined total of 70 scholarship offers between them while two of them, seniors Zay’vion Smith and Matt Richardson, have already committed to Cincinnati and Central MIchigan University, respectively. With the transfer portal giving colleges the ability to acquire older and more experienced athletes, the fact that nine Raiders already have their names in the hat for scholarship, especially after a 3-win season, speaks volumes of the work ethic the coaching staff has instilled in them.
Harding senior Kendrick Brown makes first contact before classmate and University of Cincinnati commit Zay'vion Smith darts in for the tackle for a loss during the third quarter against Canton McKinley on 08'21'2026.
That said, Friday night’s season opener against Canton McKinley emphasized that when you go up against another team that’s loaded with talent, every opportunity to produce is precious. Down 14-0 at halftime, Richardson nearly scored on a kickoff return and minutes later, had a chance to take an interception to the house after getting stopped deep into McKinley territory. After both instances, Harding was unable to capitalize with points on their ensuing drives. In fact, McKinley senior defensive back Dwoyne Robinson flipped the script by intercepting a 4th down pass and returning it 98 yards for a touchdown that put the Bulldogs up 20-0 midway into the third quarter, which now serves as the longest score of any kind in the history of the rivalry.
Harding senior and Central Michigan University commit Matt Richardson hauls in the interception and takes it deep into Canton McKinley territory on 08/21/2026.
While a casserole of missed opportunities and a very stout McKinley defense lead to the contest snowballing the into a 33-0 defeat for the Raiders, they did have numerous bright spots in the game. Richardson and Smith both showed why they’ll both be attending college for free, their classmates Justice Dukes and his brother Kendrick Brown were both in on some sacks and tackles for losses, senior kicker/punter Jaron “G.G.” Edmonds did a great job of flipping field position, juniors Brenden Butler and 4-star “EDGE” recruit Asa Burchcombined for a sack, sophomore linebacker Roosevelt Haynes had a highly productive varsity debut, etc. This week, the focus will be on converting these types of efforts into a win against a program that’s currently riding an emotional high.
Juniors Brenden Butler and Asa Burch combine forces to register a sack against McKinley on 08/21/2026.
For Youngstown High School, August 21, 2026 is a date that their athletes, coaches, and supporters will never forget. The fact that it was the date of the first ever football game for their program just wasn’t enough to satisfy them. Instead, they topped it off by winning it on the road in Boardman by the final score of 13-10.
After accounting for 1,669 yards (1,158 passing; 511 rushing) and 14 touchdowns (11 passing; 3 rushing) worth of total offense for Youngstown Chaney last season, Asuante Mickel is now commanding things under center for the Defenders as he was 13-of-23 for 121 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while adding 71 rushing yards on 11 carries against the Spartans. The scoring pass was hauled in by DeShaun Matlock (2 catches for 11 yards and one TD) while Daylon Ferrell (5-60), Mike Stanley (3-23), Khalil Mason (1-12), Chris Bricker (1-10), and Triston Pollard (1-5) also contributed to the air attack.
Youngstown High School quarterback Asuante Mickel connects with DeShaun Matlock on a 13-yard touchdown pass against Boardman on 08/21/2026.
Pollard’s contributions also extend to the ground game as he had 9 carries for 42 yards and one touchdown while Sidney Davis added six carries for 35 yards. As a team, the Defenders totaled 150 rushing yards on 30 carries (5.0 yards per carry) against Boardman.
Youngstown High School's Tristan Pollard carries the ball into the end zone from two yards out against Boardman on 08/21/2026.
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