Malvern football slips to 2-2; golf, cross country and volleyball show highlights

Football

The first period went well. The other three? Not so much.

The Hornets jumped out to an early 14-0 lead over visiting Mogadore, thanks to Julius Gore andJaxon Jones. First, Gore scored from six yards out before running in the two-point conversion. Then Jones connected with Aiden Sprague on a 39-yard scoring play and Malvern was looking good.

However, Mogadore needed time for its ground game to take off. And take off it did as the Wildcats’ Connor Lehmer scored twice on TD runs of 47 and 5 yards in the second period to even the score at 14 apiece. Mogadore QB Maddux Smith then added a 12-yard TD in the third and scored from six yards out in the fourth as Mogadore (3-1) pulled away for the 28-14 win.

Lehmer and Smith spearheaded a rushing attack that rumbled for 247 yards on 53 carries, allowing the Wildcats to carve out a 100-yard advantage in total yards and double up the Hornets in first downs, 14-7.

Gore finished with 80 yards on 21 carries, while Jones was 8-of-21 for 108 yards and an interception for Malvern (2-2). Sprague finished the game with two receptions for 51 yards, while Roy Simmons hauled in four for 37. Defensively, Owen led the Hornets with 11 tackles, while Brodie Powers registered nine.

Boys Golf

Malvern hosted Berlin Hiland for a match on September 8 at Great Trail. The Hornets gave it their best shot against the 11-time Inter-Valley Conference champs, but ultimately fell to the Hawks, 172-162.

Brother act Tyler and Ayden Pelle posted rounds of 42 and 43, respectively, to lead Malvern. Cam Good carded a 43, and Kami Rayborn chipped in by shooting a 44 for the Hornets.

Jack Mast of Hiland led all golfers with a low round of 34 that provided much of the Hawks’ winning margin.

Cross Country

The running Hornets participated at the Fairless Night of Champions XC Invitational on September 13, turning in another solid performance as the boys placed fifth.

Four of the five Hornets finished in the top 50, led by Dalton Pennington, who placed 18th in 19:07.96. He was followed by Jacob McClelland (22nd), Dekon Pennington (24th), and Karsen Farmer (45th). Parker Babiczuk capped the scoring for Malvern, setting a lifetime PR in 69th place.

The Lady Hornets only fielded four runners, so did not qualify for the team standings. Still, Malvern produced two medalists in Emma Maher, who placed ninth in 23:07.66, and Mya Doughty, who was close behind in 13th place with a time of 24:02.78. Lexus Buchman placed 28th and Annabell Renz finished 40th. 

Volleyball

The week began well for the Hornets as they picked up their first win of the season, defeating visiting Steubenville Catholic Central 3-1 (25-17, 25-19, 23-25, 25-18) on September 8.

Avery Sprague led Malvern 20 points and four aces from the line while also coming up with 20 digs. Whitney Smith led with 23 kills and three blocks and also had 18 digs, and Ashlyn Bush doled out 35 assists.

The Hornets then traveled to Buckeye Trail on the next day and were swept by the Warriors, 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-20). Smith had 14 digs while Zoe Sikorsky collected 13. Bush had 13 assists.

On September 11, Malvern (1-10, 0-4) welcomed Newcomerstown for an IVC North match. The Trojans were not hospitable guests, defeating the Hornets 3-1 (25-16, 25-14, 19-25, 28-26). No information was available on the match.