TRI-COUNTY FOOTBALL Powers leads East Palestine to win

His touchdown in the final 29 seconds gave the Bulldogs a 10-6 win over Leetonia.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
LEETONIA -- In weather that was more suited for ducks, it was the powerful combination of steady rain and the East Palestine High football team that made the night frustrating for Leetonia.
J.D. Powers, led by his offensive line, scored from 3 yards out with 29 seconds remaining Friday to cap an 11-play, 55-yard drive that rallied East Palestine to a 10-6 victory over Leetonia in Tri-County League action.
"The weather definitely dictated what both teams could and could not do effectively tonight," East Palestine coach Brian Blevins said.
"This was a big game for both teams," Blevins said. "I thought that we did an excellent job, however, of holding on to the ball, especially when we needed to the most on our last drive."
Fourth-straight win
The Bulldogs (6-1, 4-0), the number nine team in Division IV, Region 13 in this week's computer ratings, won for the fourth straight time. The Bears (4-3, 2-2) were ranked seventh in Div. VI, Region 21.
East Palestine got on the board first when Tyler Mackall kicked a 31-yard field goal into the wind and rain with 59 seconds remaining before intermission, giving the Bulldogs a 3-0 halftime lead.
"We had our chances and did not capitalize," Leetonia coach Art Altomare said. "The weather was tough on both teams tonight, but we fumbled a couple of times as we were driving and you just cannot do that against a good team like East Palestine."
With East Palestine set to receive the second-half kickoff, Blevins had just one thing in mind to start the final half.
"We wanted to sustain the opening drive and put the ball in the end zone," Blevins said. "We wanted to build off of our momentum from Mackall's field goal right before the end of the first half. We almost succeeded."
The Bulldogs kept the ball for 8:58 of the third period and drove to the Bear 19-yard line.
But quarterback Andrew Reeves, pressed into action after starter Smitty Kendrew hurt his shoulder earlier in the drive, misfired in the end zone to Patrick Brennan and the Bears took over on downs.
Leetonia grabs lead
Senior Joey Jenkins capped a 14-play, 81-yard drive that took 5:35 off the clock for the Bears, giving Leetonia a 6-3 lead when he scored from a yard out at the 9:27 mark of the final frame. The point-after failed.
The Bulldogs could not mount any drive, but a 61-yard punt by Jason Braden put the Bears deep in their own territory at the 13-yard line. They failed to get a first down and a 45-yard punt by the Bears' Kurtis Williams gave the ball back to the Bulldogs with 5:50 remaining in the contest.
Powers, the Bulldog workhorse who carried the ball 30 times for 117 yards to lead all rushers, carried the ball eight times on the final drive for 47 yards and the winning score.
East Palestine rushed 49 times for 199 yards, connecting on just three of five aerial attempts for 21 yards, while Leetonia had 164 yards on 19 totes, connecting on just three of seven passes for 33 yards.