DIVISION IV EP wins playoff with a late rally

J.D. Powers' conversion run gave the Bulldogs a 23-22 victory over Black River.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
EAST PALESTINE -- J.D. Powers' conversion run with 1:06 remaining proved to be the margin of difference as the East Palestine High football team defeated Sullivan Black River, 23-22, Friday in a Division IV, Region 13 quarterfinal at John Reid Memorial Stadium.
"There was never a question at the end to kick the extra point with the hopes of tying the game," East Palestine coach Brian Blevins said. "It was for Smitty [Kendrew] and J.D. [Powers] to win it for us and they responded admirably."
East Palestine (10-1) will play Ursuline Friday at a site to be announced Sunday.
Sullivan Black River won the battle of the statistics and snapped the ball 23 more times offensively than the Bulldogs.
They held the ball nearly 10 minutes longer than the Tri-County League champions, but found Kendrew too tough to defense in the second half of play.
"This was all my fault tonight," Pirates coach Al Young said. "It was poor decision making on my part tonight.
"I put our kids in a bad spot tonight with some of my decisions," Young said. "They played a great game and they have a lot to be proud of. I am really disappointed in myself."
The Bulldogs set the tone of the game early as Ralph Lattanzio picked off a Kyle Clark aerial on the Pirates' second series of the game, racing 35 yards untouched to the endzone for the first score of the game.
When he added the two-point conversion, East Palestine led 8-0 a little more than three minutes into the game.
Kendrew scores twice
After stopping the Pirates on their next series, Kendrew broke free for the first of his two touchdowns as he scored on a 50-yard scamper at the 3:07 mark of the opening period. When Tyler Mackall added the placement, the Bulldogs led 15-0.
Brett Hastings got the Pirates on the board with the first of his two scores at 2:55 of the second period. Quarterback Kyle Clark added the conversion run to cut the lead to 15-8 at halftime.
"They are an excellent team and they did exactly what they have done all season long," Blevins said. "They start slow then pick up steam. Their offensive output is no surprise to us."
The Pirates cut the Bulldogs lead to one point when Aaron Munyan scored on a 2-yard run with 2:34 left in the third quarter.
They took their only lead of the game with 5:41 remaining in the contest when Hastings scored his second touchdown, this time from 2 yards out.
Pirates take lead
Brian Ensign's conversion pass from Clark gave the Pirates a 22-15 edge.
Kendrew scored on a 1-yard run with 1:06 remaining, capping a six-play, 56-yard drive to pull the Bulldogs to within one at 22-21.
When Powers added the conversion run, the Bulldogs had secured their first postseason win.
East Palestine has won eight straight while the Pirates' season ends at 8-3.
The Pirates racked up 270 yards of total offense, 241 on the ground as Hastings carried the ball 17 times for 80-yards and two scores.
East Palestine on the other hand had 237 yards of total offense, 184 coming on the ground with Kendrew carrying the ball 25 times for a game high 155-yards.
He also completed five of 10 aerial attempts for 53 yards, suffering one interception.