LIBERTY — The Jack Arvin All-Star Football Classic allows local standout players from Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana Counties to showcase their talents one last time before they transfer off to college or the workforce. The 38th version of the event on Thursday night at Liberty Leopard Stadium did not disappoint as the Mahoning team won an exciting 21-3 victory over the Trumbull team.

The Mahoning squad used a combination of a pounding running game and an attacking defense to jump out to a 7-0 lead on their first possession. They then scored twice in the second half to win in dominating fashion.

Quarterback Owen Jurjavcic from East Palestine took home Player of the Game honors with his 84 yards on 14 attempts and one touchdown. He also completed three passes for 46 yards.

“This was awesome. I have some doubters, and fortunately, our coaching staff was picked for this game, and it meant a lot,” Jurjavcic said. “This is a great way to go out.”

Jackson-Milton running back Keegan White also had an outstanding game, rushing for 56 yards on 13 carries. He would score twice, Mahoning’s first and last touchdown.

Defensively, Fitch’s defensive lineman Rocco DiFlorio caused the Trumbull team havoc all night by getting into the backfield on many of their running plays. He also recorded a sack in the game. Jason Dukes of Struthers added an interception on Trumbull’s first drive of the second half.

“They couldn’t get their blocks off, and ur linebackers make great plays all night,” White said. “It was fun. It was awesome.”

“Our d-lineup front handled them all night up front,” Jurjavcic said. “They are dogs.”

Mahoning utilized 10 plays on their first drive to march 75 yards with White scoring from 5 yards out to give them an early lead. As White was crossing the goal line, a lightning strike caused the officials to send both teams to the locker rooms at the 5:49 mark of the opening quarter.

“Keegan and I obviously got a lot of yards tonight, but I have to give props to all the big guys up front and the skill guys for blocking for us all night. It was awesome,” Jurjavcic said.

“We were able to handle them up front,” White added. “We noticed in warmups that our line was much bigger, so we took advantage of it right off the bat.”

Late in the first half, Trumbull was able to get some traction as they drove to the Mahoning 21. However, a sack stalled the drive, and they had to settle for a 38-yard field goal by Andrew Whitfield from Girard to cut the deficit to 7-3 at halftime.

Following the interception by Dukes, the Mohoning team scored on a 45-yard drive with Jurjavcic plowing into the end zone from 1-yard out at the 2:51 mark of the third quarter. White would add his second touchdown of the contest with just 5:54 remaining in the game on a 3-yard run.

MAHONING 7-0-7-7–21

TRUMBULL 0-3-0-0–3

SCORING

MA – Keegan White 5 run (Andrity Chuta Suy kick)

TR – Andrew Whitfield 38 FG

MA – Owen Jurjavcic 1 run (Anthony Ruggles kick)

MA – White 3 run (Chuta Suy kick)