DIVISION VI Rockets end with 11 wins, one loss

Cuyahoga Heights' speed was a factor in the 21-6 victory.
By DOUG CHAPIN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
RAVENNA -- The winningest football season in Lowellville history came to an end Friday at Ravenna Stadium as Cuyahoga Heights (9-3) defeated the Rockets 21-6 in a Division VI, Region 21 semifinal.
"We finished 11-1 and no Lowellville team ever has won 11 games," Rockets coach John Protopapa said. "No Lowellville team has ever won a playoff game either. So we're very proud -- it was a great run."
The Rockets put together an undefeated season which included an Inter-County League title. They also defeated Leetonia, 26-0, in the first round last week.
Quick start
With a touchdown scored on each of the game's first three possessions, it looked like the fans were in for a high-scoring shootout.
But neither team scored again until the Redskins notched the clinching touchdown with nine minutes to play.
"We didn't give up when we got behind," Protopapa said. "We were forced to pass more and even though we practice it a lot, it's much different going against Cuyahoga Heights' speed."
That speed played a part in the Redskins' first two scores. Quarterback Lance Zink hooked up with speedy wideout Mike Krimmel for long passes on each of the Redskins' first two possessions. Those long passes set up short touchdown passes for the same combination.
The first came on a fade pattern from 7 yards out with 9:38 left in the first quarter. The second TD pass, covering 8 yards, was a comeback route in the front corner of the end zone with 1:48 left on the clock.
Between those two scores, Lowellville put together an impressive 11-play, 73-yard drive which ate up five minutes on the clock. Andy Peterson capped the drive with a 3-yard scoring run at the 4:41 mark of the quarter.
Adjustments, problems
With the score 14-6 after one quarter, the defenses adjusted. Though both teams continued to move the ball, neither could sustain a drive.
"They just stopped us from running effectively," Protopapa said. "We had a few matchup problems up front and tried some different blocking schemes. In the second half, they just held the ball too long."
Cuyahoga Heights' early passing success set up the run game, sparked by Nick Croftcheck who gained 95 yards on 21 carries. He also scored the final touchdown of the game on a 4-yard run with nine minutes left to play.
The run ended a nine-play, 70-yard drive which was helped by a questionable personal foul call against Lowellville.
Peterson led the Rockets with 104 yards on 14 carries. Fullback Mark Soldat added 55 yards on eight carries. Lowellville finished with 265 yards, 203 on the ground.
The Redskins had more balance, gaining 131 on the ground and 168 in the air for 299 yards. Zink was nine of 13 passing and Krimmel caught five passes for 109 yards.