Thursday, November 27, 2003
The Eagles were the only area high school football team to advance to the state semifinals.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Warren John F. Kennedy High was an unlikely choice as the Mahoning Valley's lone representative in the state high school football playoffs.
But the Eagles prepared as if they were state-playoff material. It was evident by a weekly ritual led by the captains.
"Every time we stepped on the field together, we ended practice with 15 push-ups," said senior receiver/defensive back Christian Stinellis, referring to the 15 weeks it takes to win a state championship.
The Eagles came up one week short.
Heart-breaker
Their season ended Friday night in the Division V state semifinals when Amanda-Clearcreek kicked a field goal in the second overtime to win 10-7 at Canton Central Catholic's Klinefelter Stadium.
"It's the worst feeling in the world," Stinellis said a day after his team completed an 11-3 season and qualified for the state semifinals for the first time since 1998.
But it's a feeling -- win or lose -- that many players didn't have the opportunity to experience. The Eagles were among a select group.
"The coaches and kids opened the eyes," JFK coach Tony Napolet said of statewide attention his team drew. "They represented their school very well and played very well, not just [Friday] but all year long."
Before JFK made its playoff run by defeating Smithville, South Range and Lisbon for a regional title, many had expected another Warren power to be making a move toward a state championship.
Business left unfinished
Warren Harding lost in the 2002 Div. I state championship game, and many -- including coach Thom McDaniels -- thought the Raiders had enough talent remaining to finish the job this season.
They went unbeaten in the regular season, but their run was cut short in the regional semifinals with a 21-13 loss to Lakewood St. Edward.
"It crosses your mind," said Stinellis of JFK being the last Valley team to play this season.
"It would have been nice to have all three [Trumbull County] teams," he added of Harding and Howland. "You know everyone in the area is supporting you, and we would have done the same for those two teams."
Howland was a Div. II power that qualified for its third straight playoff appearance and appeared strong enough -- with its Div. I college talent and balance -- to challenge the state's elite.
Copley ruined the Tigers' hopes in the regional semifinals, 38-16.
"There's always a rivalry between us and Howland," Stinellis said. "But that far along, it was all put aside."
Valley hopefuls
Beaver Local, Cardinal Mooney, Chaney, Columbiana, Lisbon and South Range all placed bids in the playoffs, only to be denied in the regionals.
But JFK hung around long enough for state-championship talk to begin again. A state power in the 1980s and 1990s was back on the map.
"We had a great season," Stinellis said. "There's nothing that I would change or that I regret. We learned a lot from each other, and the whole experience is something I will never forget."
The learning process coincided with a team bond that helped bring the Eagles together for a playoff season.
"Our friendships grew," Stinellis said. "We had to trust each other and we had to be able to stick together through all the hard times. We knew we were there for each other through the end."
richesson@vindy.com