Memorial, 8-1, Set to Play Struthers

Florence Galida

Contributing Writer

CAMPBELL – Coach Mickey Sikora’s Campbell Memorial Red Devils traveled to Newton Falls last Friday night and the varsity chalked up their eighth grid victory of the season in nine games, outscoring them 28-6 by the end of three quarters, before turning the reins over to their fellow teammates.

The win gives MHS the outright crown of the AA Blue Tier Division and sets them up for tournament play.

Ja’les Hughes scored a 4-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and a 6-yarder in the second, piling up a total 155 yards on the ground before time ran out. His brother, senior quarterback Lester, was 10 of 19 in the air, finishing with 155 yards also.

Senior fullback John Sikora plunged two yards for Campbell’s second score, before Ja’les second TD, then Sikora added his second TD in the third quarter to finish off Memorial’s scoring. Alex Sudakov was perfect with four extra points in the 28-9 game.

The Devils were too tough for the Tigers, but Brian Moses took a 23-yard pass from QB Matt Brazin to give NFHS their only TD in the first half, with the Devils leading 21-6, after the Tigers’ failed extra-point try, blocked by MHS’ defense.

the Falls came back in the fourth quarter with a Joe Spieter 33-yard field goal to take it a 28-9 game, but Campbell drove down to the one-yard line, and let time run out with the win already iced.

Campbell’s passing game from QB Hughes was to junior Anthony Rushton for 64 yards, Claxton Lebron for 32 and Richard Bledsoe, 31, in a one-sided contest, but the Tigers fought with heart to prevent a lopsided score.

The Devils must now contend with the tough Struthers Wildcats, often a spoiler, who are coming off a 14-10 loss to a tough Hubbard team. The Red Devil defense, led by seniors Sikora, Guidos, Williams, Opencar, Benedis, Martinez, Pagan, Torres, Bledsoe, Morris and Jackson, will be ready for the trip across the river on Friday.