Ja’les Hughes’ 366 Yards Stuns Girard, Sets Record

UNTOUCHABLE: Campbell Memorial’s Ja’les Hughes valiantly defended his home turf against Girard with an outstanding performance to supplement a 35-21 win. Frank Marr Photography.

Florence Galida

Contributing Writer

CAMPBELL – The Campbell Memorial Red Devils scored first with a 44-yard Ja’les Hughes run against the highly touted visiting Girard Indians (5-2) team last Friday on Coach John Knapick Field, and although tied by the Indians 7-7 after the first quarter, the Devils pulled away 17-13 by halftime with an Alex Sudacov field goal and later a QB Lester Hughes 1-yard TD. The only pass QB Huges attempted in the game was to his brother Ja’les in the scoreless third quarter as the two top Blue Division opponents battled, but it was batted away by Girard’s Landon Smith.

In the meantime, Ja’les was busy breaking the school record when he amassed 366 yards on 46 carries, on the ground, as his teammates opened up holes. He carried the ball so successfully Coach Mickey Sikora did not have to worry about a passing game.

A fumble stopped one of Campbell’s drives in the third quarter and both teams traded punts, one of Girard’s leading to a Ja’les Hughes second TD early in the fourth quarter. The Indians were held for three plays on their onwn 6-yard line, from which they punted, and the Devils’ offensive line opened the holes for Ja’les to score his second TD. He would finish the fourth quarter with his third score, a 30-yard run. Sudakov made four extra points, beside his field goal, for the 35-21 final.

Girard’s QB Dan Gaziana passed for 166 yards on 10 of 21 passes to Brandon Byrd (4 of 73) and Landon Smith (2 of 68). Graziano also scored with a 39-yard TD in the first quarter, followed by David Meigs PAT. Graziano passed 37 yards to Byrd in the second and 59 yards to Smith in the fourth.

The Devils travel to Newton Falls this Friday as leaders of the Blue Division and hopefully advancing in the Ohio High School Athletic Assoc., looking toward post-season play.

Former CMHS Attendee Making Headlines for Receiving at Iowa

Meanwhile, Iowa receiver and Cardinal Mooney High School graduate Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is making waves at Iowa, catching four passes for 70 yards against Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 16.
Johnson-Koulianos attended Campbell Memorial High School before spending his senior year at Mooney, leading them to a state runner-up spot.

He became the Hawkeyes’ career leader in receiving yards, catching 2,274 yards to beat out the previous record of 2,271.