HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Senk comes off bench to key JFK

Entering the game in the second period, quarterback Chase Senk led JFK to a comeback win over Kennedy Catholic.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Chase Senk wasn't in the starting line-up for Warren JFK High against Kennedy Catholic in Saturday's football game. When Senk came off the bench to replace starter John DiFiore just seven seconds into the second period, he made sure he didn't give the coaches a reason to return him to his seat at Butala Stadium.
Senk passed for 176 yards and two touchdowns, directing Warren JFK to a 21-18 come-from-behind victory over Kennedy Catholic.
"Chase has been getting about 40 percent of the snaps in practice with DeFiore about 60 percent," JFK coach Tony Napolet said. "Chase did an excellent job of directing our offense despite the fact that we committed five turnovers.
"Until the last two and a half minutes or so, Kennedy Catholic played us really well," he added.
Turnovers
JFK (2-2) didn't lose a fumble in their first three games, but put the ball on the ground four times while throwing an interception. Kennedy Catholic also had five turnovers, four resulting on interceptions.
"We are a young team but this is still a very disappointing loss for us," Kennedy Catholic coach John Turco said. "We need to be sharper with our passing game, but they are an excellent club who took advantage of our mistakes today.
"We had some breakdowns offensively and really need to get our running game going within our shotgun formation."
Kennedy Catholic (1-2) took a 7-0 lead just three minutes into the game when quarterback Danny Harris found Zac Zuschlag in the end zone from 23 yards out. The score came just two plays after Jordy Farrell recovered Maurice Gore's fumble.
Senk leads comeback
Kennedy Catholic increased its lead to 10-0 on Elijah Pearce's 20-yard field goal at the 11:53 mark of the second quarter, but when Senk found wide receiver Matt Karl from 29 yards and Russell Accordino added the first of his three placements, the lead was cut to 10-7.
After a scoreless third period, the Eagles took a 14-10 lead with just 2:49 remaining when Senk found Nick Massary from 14 yards for another tally.
After Joseph Burkey intercepted Harris' pass on the first ensuing play for Kennedy Catholic, JFK increased its lead to 21-10 when Gore made the end zone on a 3-yard scamper with 1:52 remaining.
The Golden Eagles pulled to within 21-18 when Harris hit Nate Burney with a 74-yard scoring strike, and then connected to Mike Triplett for the two-point conversion.
On-side kick
But JFK recovered the on-side kickoff and Senk took a knee three times.
Warren JFK had 342 total yards offensively, 148 on the ground and 192 through the air. Gore led all rushers with 179 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown.
Senk was 12-for-15 for 176 yards and two touchdowns, while Matt Karl caught five of Senk's passes for a game-high 94 yards and a score. Six receivers caught a pass for JFK.
Harris was 10-for-22 the air for 168 yards and a touchdown for Kennedy Catholic, but threw a season-high four interceptions. The Golden Eagles were held to just 43 rushing yards on 27 carries, an average of just 1.6 yards per attempt.