Malvern teams face tough week on field, course and trail

Football

It’s safe to say the Hornets are looking forward to playing at home after Malvern absorbed a 35-6 loss at the hands of host Martins Ferry in Week Two of action.

The Purple Riders, a Div. V second-round playoff team in 2024, took a 21-0 second-quarter lead against the Hornets, accentuated by Gavin Mulvey’s 47-yard pick-six of a Jaxon Jones pass. Jones recovered and found Roy Simmons for a 17-yard scoring strike to bring Malvern within 15, but that would be the Hornets’ lone score.

Martins Ferry (2-0), meanwhile, added touchdown runs in the third and fourth periods for the final margin. The Purple Riders ran roughshod over Malvern, picking up 284 yards on 47 attempts while limiting the Hornets to 49 net yards on 13 touches. Luke Thomas led Malvern (1-1) with 56 yards on nine carries.

Jones finished with 84 yards passing on 13-of-25 passing with a TD and four interceptions. Simmons was his favorite target with 10 receptions for 60 yards. 

Boys Golf

Malvern welcomed Minerva and Conotton Valley at Great Trail Golf Course on August 25 for a tri-match, and the Hornets were not gracious hosts as they abruptly showed both the Lions and Rockets the door with a low round of 172.

Saying Malvern Coach Lance Gram was in a good mood following this match was an understatement.

“The Malvern golf family gathered together and gained two more victories by defeating Minerva and Conotton Valley,” he said. “Sitting at the head of the table and serving up darts was senior Cam Good carding a 38.”

Cooper Kiehl (42), Ayden Pelle (45), and Kami Rayborn (47) rounded out the scoring for Malvern.

Minerva, 10 strokes back at 182, was led by Reid Spall’s 42. The Lions’ scorecard was filled out by Parker Linkous (45), Tyson Fetty (47), and Will Blackburn (48). Conotton Valley was a distant third with a team round of 201.

Cross Country

It was a jam-packed week as Malvern made time for a Wednesday meet while also competing in the typical Saturday affair. 

On Aug. 27, Malvern participated in East Canton’s Lee Sternberg Invitational, with the Lady Hornets placing fifth out of six teams while the boys finished fourth out of five.

For the girls, Emma Maher (22:51.6) was ninth, while sister Olivia Maher and Mya Doughty were close behind in 11th and 12th. Lexus Buchman came in 55th and Annabell Renz finished 57th. Doughty and Buchman, set season PRs, while Renz set a lifetime PR.

On the boys’ side, Dalton Pennington (18.57.3) also set a season PR and finished in 10th place, followed by Jacob McClelland, who set a lifetime PR in 15th. Cooper Dorr and Dekon Pennington placed 19th and 25th, respectively. 

Karsen Farmer (38th), Anderson Myers (56th), Parker Babiczuk (57th), and Andersen Myers (116th) all set lifetime PRs for the Hornets.

On Aug. 30, Malvern traveled to the Newcomerstown Invitational and the Lady Hornets placed 10th out of 14 teams while placing three runners in the top 50. Emma Maher (21:31.92)led Malvern in 17th place and set a PR. Olivia Maher (19th) and Mya Doughty (33rd) both set lifetime PRs; Maher climbed to fourth on the Malvern girls’ top 10 cross country board, and Doughty moved to ninth.

The boys placed 12th in a 17-team field, and were paced by Dalton Pennington (18:39.13), who placed 40th in setting a season PR. Dorr (45th), McClelland (48th), and Dekon Pennington(49th) all finished in a pack. On the day, every Hornet who competed either set a season or a lifetime PR