KICKERS DELIVER TO DECIDE OUTCOME

West Middlesex (9-2) and Slippery Rock (8-3) are the area's lone Pennsylvania playoff representatives.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
Kickers have a tough job. Their opportunities are limited but their attempts so meaningful.
Games are often decided on their legs and their focus.
Jonathan Airhart and Joe Spain must be feeling good this week. Their teams certainly are.
Airhart, Howland's senior kicker, and Spain, Warren Harding's junior kicker, converted game-winning field goals last weekend to advance their schools to regional football finals.
The Tigers (9-3) will play Olmsted Falls (10-2) in a Division II, Region 5 game Friday at Stewart Field in Bedford, while the Raiders (12-0) will play Mentor (11-1) in a Div. I, Region 1 game Saturday at Fawcett Stadium in Canton.
Final seconds
Airhart had missed an extra point in the second quarter of Howland's 23-21 victory over Canfield at Bo Rein Stadium in Niles.
So when he trotted onto the field in the closing seconds, his team trailing 21-20, the kicker tried to put any negative thoughts out of his mind.
"Once I saw we got the ball, I started to take a couple of practice kicks," Airhart said.
Howland defensive back Steve Boyle stripped the ball from Canfield running back Tom Rogers to give the Tigers possession. The offense marched down the field on a drive keyed by a 38-yard pass play from senior quarterback Chris Settlemire to Boyle.
"Jon was not going to miss that kick," Howland coach Dick Angle said.
He didn't. Out of the hold of junior Joshua Settlemire, Airhart kicked a 23-yarder with seven seconds remaining to put Howland into its first regional final.
Harding's game-winner
Spain's task was just as difficult. Although he had a strong wind at his back at Byers Field in Parma, the junior was called upon to kick a 39-yarder.
Harding had trailed Lakewood St. Edward 16-15 when it gained possession on its own 25 with 18 seconds remaining.
Senior quarterback Mike Kokal found sophomore receiver Mario Manningham for a 52-yard gain that put the Raiders in position for the field goal attempt.
"They didn't cover the post," Raiders coach Thom McDaniels said. "So we threw it, caught it and the rest is history."
Out of the hold of senior Danny Stella, Spain's kick boomed through the uprights with 5.2 seconds remaining for an 18-16 victory, sending Harding into a frenzy and advancing it to its second straight regional final.
"I didn't have to worry about kicking it hard, just straight," said Spain, referring to the helpful wind.
Div. IV showdown
While Howland and Harding stole the spotlight with their dramatic endings, much of the focus this week centers on Falcon Stadium in Austintown, where Ursuline (7-5) and Girard (11-1) meet in a Div. IV, Region 13 final Friday.
Ursuline, coached by Dan Murphy, is becoming one of the season's biggest stories. Although they squeezed into the playoffs, the Irish, coming off a 56-7 victory over East Palestine, are legitimate contenders for a state title.
First, however, they must get by Girard, coached by Bud McSuley, which looked strong in a 33-12 victory over Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph last week.
The Indians' dangerous passing offense, directed by senior quarterback Matt Zuppo, and stubborn defense make them a tough opponent.
Postseason runs
The only other area team still playing is Beaver Local (10-2), which will face Cleveland Benedictine (10-2) in a Div. III, Region 9 final Saturday at Central Catholic Stadium in Canton.
Coached by Rich Wright, the Beavers advanced to their first regional title game with a 33-18 victory over University School.
West Middlesex (9-2) and Slippery Rock (8-3) are the area's lone Pennsylvania playoff representatives.
The Big Reds will play Clarion-Limestone (11-0) in PIAA Class A Friday at Sharon High, while Slippery Rock will play Brockway (7-4) in Class AA Friday at Punxsutawney.