Leetonia rallies from 20-point halftime deficit

VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
EAST PALESTINE -- Leetonia rallied from a 20-0 halftime deficit to stun Mineral Ridge, 27-20, in a non-conference football game Thursday at Reid Stadium.
With the score tied at 20 late in the fourth quarter, Leetonia's Andrew Billet recovered a fumble in the end zone to give the Bears the lead.
Leetonia quarterback Matt Custer completed just 2-of-6 passes, but one of them was an 80-yard touchdown strike to Aaron Merrill to open the third quarter.
Running back Curtis Williams, who finished with seven carries for 137 yards, added a 76-yard touchdown run and Custer followed with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Kicker Brian Palmer opened the scoring for Mineral Ridge with a 22-yard field goal in the first quarter. Quarterback Chris Ault, who finished 14-of-19 for 152 yards, found Tim Persin for a 5-yard touchdown, then hit Brandon Linert for a 19-yard touchdown to give the Rams a 17-0 lead.
Palmer added a 33-yard field goal at the end of the first half.
Levi Leigh led Mineral Ridge with nine carries for 48 yards. Greg Dominic had three receptions for 66 yards.
Due to construction delays on Leetonia's new stadium, the Bears will play their first two home games at East Palestine.