By JOHN BASSETTI

By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
WARREN -- Senior quarterback John DiFiore might think he's one of the five players going both ways for Warren JFK this season.
He's not, but his legs may be telling him otherwise.
DiFiore, who scored just six points in the regular season, ran for three touchdowns against Smithville and for two more against South Range last weekend.
He's part of an offense that has put up 83 points in those first two playoff games.
His 46- and 54-yard scores against the Raiders had to tire him out, but, at this stage, DiFiore can't huff and puff enough.
"It's all about winning and playing hard and getting the job done," DiFiore said of his part in getting the Eagles to the Division V Region 17 championship game against Lisbon on Friday at Falcon Stadium in Austintown.
But using his legs, except to drop back to pass, isn't his style.
"I have the option to run, but I'll look to pass first," the 6-41/2, 205-pounder said.
Familiar place
The pocket is a familiar place for DiFiore, who has played quarterback since age 7 when he started as a squiglet in the Hubbard Little Eagles program.
Including last year, DiFiore has been JFK's starting signal caller 22 straight times. He didn't letter as a sophomore in 2001 when Alex Senk was at the controls.
That was JFK's last playoff-qualifying season.
"We were more run-oriented then," DiFiore said of the team with Josh Cayson, now at Youngstown State.
Now the triggerman of a spread offense, DiFiore standing in an empty backfield isn't uncommon.
It could get lonely back there.
DiFiore said the Eagles went into the Smithville game expecting to run -- and did so.
Passing success
Against South Range, JFK thought it could pass on the Raiders.
"They were looking for the pass, so we ran, but not as much as we could against Smithville."
Experience has taught DiFiore to deal with bad moments.
"I don't dwell on it like I used to. If I make a mistake, I just get ready for the next series."
The ability to make good defensive reads, a fairly strong arm and improved accuracy have helped DiFiore's effectiveness.
Background hasn't hurt, either. He has two uncles who were involved in football. One is John Crea who played at Kent State and the other is Frank Crea, who is Upper Scioto Valley's head coach. Frank Crea, previously an assistant at Lima Senior, played at Heidelberg.
Strong line
Another platooned player who gets the ball rolling for DiFiore and the offense is center A.J. Seifert. DiFiore has taken every snap this year from the 5-10, 230-pound Seifert, a junior who switched from guard last season.
Other linemen are right guard Steve Telego (6-1, 270 Jr.), right tackle Rocco Bello (6-3, 270 Jr.), left guard Ryan Keller (5-11, 200 Sr.), left tackle Adam Snyder (6-5, 240 Sr.) and tight ends Jim Kokrak (6-2, 205 Sr.) and Bryan Markle (5-10, 190 Jr.).
"They're the reason we're able to move the ball," Coach Tony Napolet said of the unit that was a concern.
"That was our concern at the beginning of the season, but Dave Pappada, Mike Naples and Larry Hoffman did a heck of a job," he said of his offensive line coach and other assistants.
Keller and Bello played last year, Snyder moved from tight end to tackle and Telego is new.
Snyder (OL, DE), Shane Golden (WR, CB), Kokrak (TE, ILB), Markle (WR, LB) and Jack Henderson (WR, safety) comprise the two-way gang.
The Eagles may have momentum, but the coach wasn't pleased with the effort in the closing half against South Range.
"I was satisfied with the first half, but not the second half," Napolet said. "Although the kids played well, I felt we lost intensity somewhere."
bassetti@vindy.com