Eagles have championship attitude

By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
WARREN -- John F. Kennedy High has entered another realm of football otherwise known as the state playoffs.
It is here where players and coaches experience something that sometimes becomes too euphoric to explain.
"It's like a different world," JFK coach Tony Napolet said. "It's like you're in a crystal ball. Everything is favorable. Everything is positive."
Here in the state semifinals, a team's season has been reduced to two games. Win them both and it's the state champion, a label that will stick forever.
"Once you get going, you want more," Napolet said.
"We were just happy to get in [the playoffs]. Now, you don't want to leave it," he added. "You don't want to ever lose and stop playing. You want to keep going. That's the attitude we all have."
Next challenge
And that's the attitude the Eagles (11-2) will take into Friday's Division V state semifinal against Amanda-Clearcreek (12-1) at Canton Central Catholic's Klinefelter Stadium.
"We're not, by any stretch of the imagination, a favorite in any way, but we have a chance," Napolet said. "That's what we keep talking about every day, and that's all we can ask for.
"It's coming to fruition," he added. "We have to win two more games, but you definitely have to win one more."
Not since 1998, when the Eagles lost in the state semifinals to Liberty Center, has this much excitement been generated at JFK.
But a consistent, balanced and talented team has rolled through playoff opponents Smithville, South Range and Lisbon, stepping closer to state prominence.
"It's the best feeling in the world -- for the school, the kids, the coaches," Napolet said of a state-title run. "You can't even describe it until you've experienced it."
Napolet has. In 1991, he led the Eagles to their first -- and only -- state championship, in Division IV, with a 20-7 victory over Springfield Catholic Central.
This year's run has helped spawn memories from 1991, Napolet said, with a number of similarities between the teams.
"Their leadership and desire to compete" compare favorably, the coach said. "There's some ability, too. There's a little bit of skill and speed, and a little bit of size, and the attitude couldn't be any better."
Breaking it down
Napolet credited his team's defense, led by district player of the year Jimmy Kokrak at linebacker.
Kokrak, a senior, teams with junior linebacker Bryan Markle and defensive ends Adam Snyder, a senior, and Joe Cicchillo, a junior, to help anchor the Eagles' defense.
The Eagles' offensive standouts have been steady, Napolet said, led by players such as senior quarterback John DiFiore, senior running back Anthony Ambeliotis and sophomore running back Anthony Elzy.
"But most importantly, you have the same five guys on the offensive line who have played two scrimmages and 13 games," Napolet said of the unit made up of tackles Rocco Bello and Snyder, guards Ryan Keller and Steve Telego and center A.J. Seifert.
Over the years, Napolet has gained a greater understanding of what it takes to compete at this high level and what it takes to prepare.
"You ask more of yourself, and your coaches do the same," he said. "You put in more time and you're a lot more careful in the way you plan what you want to do."
Friday, the Eagles will put that time and effort to the test.
richesson@vindy.com