EAST LIVERPOOL — The East Liverpool losing skid continues as the Potters fell to Harrison Central, 31-7, Friday night.

East Liverpool (1-4) has lost its last four games. There’s really only one word that fits with the East Liverpool football program right now.

“Right now, those kids are frustrated,” Potters coach Don Phillips said. “Everyone that’s involved in our program is frustrated. We want better things to happen. We want to start making plays that will make things happen. I saw a lot of good things out there tonight –pressured the quarterback well, who showed a lot of poise. We have to be tighter on our coverage, and we have to get our defense off the field.”

The Potters’ four turnovers did not help their cause against Harrison Central. The Huskies forced two interceptions and two botched quarterback-center exchanges stalled another two drives for the Potters.

“We had a lot of bad things –like mental mistakes, jumping offsides, turnovers–that we can’t have,” East Liverpool senior lineman Mason Ludwig said. “I think that’s what led to the loss tonight. We just have to fix the little things –we can’t turn the ball over–those little things kill us.”

Despite the negative plays, Phillips’ young Potters ran the ball well against the Huskies. Gavin Wright led the team in rushing with 18 carries for 120 yards, but it was Jaymin Haney who bounced a run outside the tackles and sprinted 68 yards for a Potter touchdown with 24.6 seconds left in the first half.

Harrison Central (4-1) started the year 3-0 but lost its last game to Union Local. Except for one fumble, the Huskies offense could seemingly do no wrong against the Potters.

Quarterback Haydin Cassidy completed 14 of 24 passes for 207 yards with three touchdowns. Tre Rex led the Huskies 92 yards on four catches, two of them going for touchdowns. While they were able to throw the ball effectively, running back Mykel Quito took charge on the ground, rushing 11 times for 90 yards and a touchdown.

“We rebounded well from last week’s loss,” Harrison Central coach Anthony Hayes said. “We came out in the first half and really set the tone and got after it on both sides of the ball. We were a little sloppy at times, but a lot of that had to do with them –they did a good job of putting 8 or 9 guys in the box and getting after us– that caused us some chaos on offense. Defensively, we played really well. Only giving up seven points is big for us after giving up 45 points last week.”

The Potters turn their attention to Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin next Friday, while Harrison Central will host St. Clairsville.

Game notes

¯ Ludwig, who committed to the University of Toledo, will not be attending the Rockets game at Ohio State on Saturday night.

“I’ll be watching from home,” he said.

¯ The dedication for the Patterson Field artificial turf will be held Saturday. The Potters have already played two games on the new field.

Harrison Central 31,

East Liverpool 7

Harrison Central 7 17 7 0 – 31

East Liverpool 0 7 0 0 – 7

H–Hutton 17 pass from Cassidy (Madzia kick)

H–M. Quito 2 run (Madzia kick)

H–Madzia 31 FG

H–Rex 21 pass from Cassidy (Madzia kick)

E–Haney 68 run (Baker kick)

H–Rex 31 pass from Cassidy (Madzia kick)

RUSHING–Harrison Central 36-159 (M. Quito 11-90, Cowans 5-44, Atkins 10-27, Cassidy 8-(-1), Wurschum 1-(-1); East Liverpool 32-236 (Wright 18-120, Haney 8-97, Davis 5-22).

PASSING–Harrison Central, 13-24-207 (all by Cassidy); East Liverpool, 4-12-28-2 (all by Wright)

RECEIVING–Harrison Central 13-207 (Rex 4-92-2tds, Atkins 3-37, A. Fluharty 2-31, Vermillion 2-27, Hutton 2-20-td); East Liverpool 4-28 (Burchett 2-14, Fitch 1-10, Haney 1-4).

FIRST DOWNS: Harrison Central 20. East Liverpool 12

PENALTIES: Harrison Central 8-50. East Liverpool 7-55

FUMBLES: Harrison Central 2-1. East Liverpool 4-2