Week 7- Warren G. Harding (3-3) @ Boardman (0-6)
After a series of five tough football games to start this season, Warren G. Harding was able to get back to the basics this past Friday against Toledo Scott. The matchup itself served as a reunion of head coach Matt Richardson and Richard Davis, a 2004 Harding alum who currently serves as Scott’s head coach. While the final score was lopsided, Davis and his Bulldogs (marching band included) left with great reviews in terms of the toughness, character, and pride that they collectively displayed.
Warren G. Harding seniors Jaylen Murray and Zay'vion SMith team up for a sack during their matchup against Toledo Scott on 09/25/2026.
As far as the actual performance goes, the Raiders’ starters made the most of their short night by being efficient in all three aspects of the game, which resulted in the younger players receiving valuable in-game experience that should prove to be vital to the continued development of their careers. Harding’s 52-point output is the most of the Richardson era and most overall since their 55-0 victory over Youngstown East on August 27, 2021.
Harding senior kicker Jaron Edmonds booms one of his six touchbacks against Toledo Scott on 09/25/2026.
Defensively, not only did Harding only surrender nine total yards for the game, but the unit also got in on the scoring as early in the second quarter, junior 4-star EDGE recruit Asa Burch registered a sack in Scott’s end zone for a safety.
Harding junior 4-star EDGE recruit Asa Burch sacks Toledo Scott's quarterback in the end zone for a safety on 09/25/.2026.
The Raiders now progress into week 7 with a much-needed confidence boost as they look to close the season strong and make a run at a spot in the upcoming Division II: Region 5 playoffs. To date, senior quarterback James Jones has completed 44-of-84 passes for 683 yards, eight touchdowns, and just two interceptions. While his favorite target this season has been senior Central Michigan commit (the young) Matt Richardson (23 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns), sophomore Lavez Powell, junior Kai Parker, and senior Asa Coleman and Elijah Phillips have each hauled in a touchdown pass from Jones.
Harding senior quarterback James Jones hooks up with his favorite target Matt Richardson for an 8-yard touchdown pass against Toledo Scott on 09/25/2026.
Meanwhile, despite sitting out the matchup against Scott, junior tailback Makhai Brogdon paces the Raiders’ ground attack with 484 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 77 carries (6.3 yards per carry) while Richardson, Antonio Dukes, Elias Johnson, and Ikell Binford have also scored touchdowns on the ground. Harding will look to utilize that depth as they’ll look to take their show back on the road to face another longtime rival.
Harding senior Elijah Phillips runs it into the endzone from 12 yards out agaijnst Toledo Scott on 09/25/2026.
We aren’t that far removed from the period of time when Boardman was one of the hottest spots in the entire country for top notch talent. This can be traced way back to 1982 when the Miami Hurricanes recruited Bernie Kosar, a 1981 Parade All-American selection, to be their quarterback. After getting redshirted his first year, he started in all 12 games while completing 61.5% of his passes for 2,328 yards and 15 touchdowns for Miami’s 1983 national championship-winning team. He’d go on to have a successful 12-year NFL career that saw him reel in a Pro Bowl selection in 1987 while in 1994, he was a member of the Dallas Cowboy team that won Super Bowl XXVIII.
'82 Boardman alum Bernie Kosar enjoyed a long football career at every level.
As far as the 21st century goes, Boardman alumni Steve Vallos (℅ 2002), John Greco (℅ 2003), and Corey Linsley (℅ 2010) all eventually became offensive linemen in the NFL. In addition to that, the Spartans have sent guys like J.T. Moore (Ohio State), Chase Hammond Wisconsin), Cam Thompson (finished his collegiate career at Mississippi State), etc. have all enjoyed football careers at quality colleges.
Boardman alumni John Greco, Steve Vallos, and Corey Linsley played a combined total of 27 season in the NFL.
No, I’m not going to try to convince you that this year’s 0-6 Boardman squad is filled with an abundance of players of the caliber of the names that I just mentioned. That said, Harding has to be very careful this week as the Spartans have one of the biggest workhorses in the entire area in running back/linebacker Frank Butto. While all of his statistics aren’t available online, he’s credited with 8 carries for 135 yards and an 85-yard touchdown in their week 4 matchup against Louisville. Defensively, it’s been said that Butto is already credited for over 200+ tackles on defense. In any event, don’t expect him top come off of the field much.
Boardman running back Frank Butto scores on a 12-yard run against Youngstown on 08/21/2026.
Also, there’s something about Harding that usually brings the best out of Boardman. Last season, the Spartans departed Mollenkopf Stadium with a 14-10 victory while two years ago, the Raiders needed some late-game heroics from then-senior Chaz Coleman to leave Spartan Stadium with a 19-14 triumph. In short, Harding must also keep their eyes on Boardman playmakers Isaiah Payne, Logan Perry, Coben Scarsella, Cash Felger, etc. as recent history suggests that despite the Spartans’ shortcomings this season, this matchup isn’t an automatic “W.”
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