HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Campbell holds on to beat Struthers

The game marked the 73rd meeting between the two teams.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CAMPBELL -- Campbell Memorial High scored all of its points in the first 4 minutes, 57 seconds of the game, then held on for a 14-12 victory over Struthers at John Knapick Field Saturday night.
The win was Campbell's first this season as both teams evened their records at 1-1.
"It only goes so far to say you played well," said Campbell Memorial coach John Ryan. "In sports, it's about winning and losing and tonight, we finally got the ball to bounce our way. It was not a perfect game, but, the bottom line is we won."
Quick strike: Campbell got on the board first when quarterback Rick Quinn hit Mike Harden with a 58-yard scoring strike and, when Quinn added the placement, the Red Devils took a 7-0 lead just 2:48 into the game.
On the next series for Struthers, Campbell's Aaron Dobich recovered an errant pitch and Campbell took over on its second series on the Wildcats' 44-yard line.
Albert Holland gained 40 yards to the Struthers 4 and, after losing a yard on the very next play, Nick Van Such scored from 5 yards out to increase the lead, 14-0.
"We weren't ready to play mentally," Struthers coach Gary Zetts said. "They scored 14 quick points on us, then contained our offense a good portion of the night.
"Campbell's Anthony Wright is one of the finest football players I've seen in quite some time. He disturbed our whole offense the entire night."
On the board: Struthers got on the board in the second period at the 7:13 mark when Jim Tabak capped a three-play, 25-yard drive with a 23-yard pass from quarterback Nick Leiter. The placement by Leiter was blocked and, at the half, Campbell led, 14-6.
"From the opening kickoff tonight to the final whistle, we did what it takes to win, and that really pleases me," Ryan said. "From preseason camp until now, we played with plenty of confidence. We wanted to run the ball and control the ball to keep the Struthers offense off the field. For the most part, we succeeded in doing that."
After a scoreless third period, Tabak cut the lead to 14-12 when he scored his second touchdown, a 9-yard run with 11:45 remaining in the game. The conversion run was thwarted by the Red Devils defense.
After exchanging field position five times after that score by the Wildcats, Campbell's Adam Antalocy intercepted Leiter's final pass of the game on a 4-and-22 to seal the victory.
The Red Devils rolled up 331 yards of total offense on the night, 266 of which came on the ground.
Rushing leader: Holland led all rushers with 161 yards on 22 carries while Harden added 72 on 10 totes. Struthers had 221 yards of total offense, 123 on the ground and they were led by Tabak who carries the ball 17 times for 71 yards and two TDs.
Quinn completed three of six aerials for the Red Devils for 64 yards, while Leiter was 9 of 20 for the Wildcats for 98 yards. He suffered one interception.
The game marked the 73rd meeting between the schools in one of the richest rivalries in the Mahoning Valley. With the win, Campbell leads the series 41-30-2. The two teams have split their last four outings.