PREP FOOTBALL Warren JFK slips past Campbell for fifth win
The Eagles scored two early touchdowns and then played tough defense in the 12-3 victory.
By PAUL TRGOVAC
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CAMPBELL -- The Warren JFK High football team stayed alive in the hunt for a Division V playoff berth, scoring two first-quarter touchdowns and playing tough on defense to beat Campbell Memorial, 12-3.
"Our defense won the game tonight for us," Warren JFK coach Tony Napolet said.
That defense may push the Eagles into the play.
The Eagles (5-4), who did not make the top 10 in the latest computer ratings, will play Howland next Saturday at Mollenkopf Stadium.
Campbell (5-4) saw their three-game winning streak and playoff chances end.
Eagles quarterback John DiFiore opened the scoring with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Shane Golden.
Golden caught a short pass and, when a Campbell defender slipped, Golden raced down the left sideline. The Eagles missed the extra point try when the snap sailed high.
Later in the quarter, DiFiore again found Golden found Golden on a 40-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a 12-0 lead. The two-point conversion pass failed.
Red Devils get untracked
Midway through the second quarter, the Red Devils got their offense untracked as sophomore running back Tim Davis ran 13 times for 65 yards to set up a 23-yard field goal by George Malactaris -- his eighth of the year.
In the third quarter, JFK fumbled a punt at the Eagles' 15 yard line. A facemask penalty gave the Red Devils a first and goal at the 5.
But JFK's defense stiffened, stuffing Davis on first down and forcing an incomplete pass on second down. The Eagles sacked Rick Quinn on third down and the forced another incomplete pass, thwarting Campbell's momentum.
The Red Devils did not get into JFK territory the rest of the game.
Leading the way
Maurice Gore led Kennedy with 58 yards on 12 carries and Anthony Ambeliotis added 54 yards rushing on 16 attempts. DiFiore finished 8 of 14 passing for 126 yards and the two scores, while Golden caught four passes for 92 yards.
The Eagles had 255 yards of offense and 10 first downs.
Quinn completed just 5 of 18 passes for 25 yards and two interceptions. Davis finished with 125 yards on 31 carries, but Campbell had just 105 net yards rushing.
The Red Devils finished with 10 first downs, five coming on their scoring drive at the end of the first half.