INTER-COUNTY LEAGUE Unbeaten Lowellville soars over Ridge

Mike Palumbo and Andy Peterson helped the Rockets' offense raise a ruckus.
By RYAN JONES
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MINERAL RIDGE -- You knew they existed, but the team from Lowellville is generating some real noise.
And the rest of the Inter-County League knows all about it.
The Rockets, ranked second in Division IV Region 21, trounced host Mineral Ridge (5-3, 3-2) Friday, 54-18.
"The kids had a real good week of practice and the team stayed focused all week," Lowellville coach John Protopapa said. "Now we are right where we want to be."
Lowellville's offense was in high gear, scoring on every first half possession. Quarterback Mike Palumbo led the early charge, rumbling 53 yards for a touchdown to give the Rockets a 7-0 lead.
"I turned the corner with my hand on the back of fullback Bill Wharry, pushed him into a block and it just opened up," Palumbo said.
On the next Rocket possession, Palumbo once again found the end zone on an option run covering 30 yards.
"The triple option we run really forces the quarterback to make the right decision," Protopapa said. "Mike did an outstanding job of reading the defensive fronts and making the correct plays."
Unbeaten and on a roll
The Rockets (8-0, 5-0) extended their first half lead to 25-10 as senior tailback Andy Peterson plunged for touchdowns on back-to-back possessions.
Peterson totaled 148 yards on 14 carries.
Late in the first half, the Rockets struck once more. Peterson took a screen pass from Palumbo, turned on the jets and outran the entire Ridge defense for a 60-yard touchdown.
"With them making a little run, we really wanted to hurry things up and get a score before the half," Protopapa said. "I think that deflated their confidence somewhat."
The Rockets opened the second half with a 68-yard drive that chewed up more than half of the third quarter clock. Jeff Peterson capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run.
Palumbo followed with a 25-yard touchdown strike to Jack Noble to put the game out of reach, 46-10.
"He's just a smart, smart kid and a tremendous football player who always does what we ask of him," Protopapa said of Palumbo.
Palumbo hit 4 of 8 passes for 109 yards and two scores. He also ran for 167 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns.