TRUMBULL ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Zuppo lifts Girard past Lakeview, 21-18

The Bulldogs' second-half rally fell short.
By JAMIE TRINA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CORTLAND -- As an orange moon unveiled itself from behind the trees high above Lakeview Stadium on Friday night, Girard quarterback Matt Zuppo was revealing his talents to the Lakeview defense.
Zuppo led a high-powered offense with 296 total yards in a 21-18 victory.
"Obviously, the stats speak for themselves," Girard coach Bud McSuley said of Zuppo's performance.
Fast start
After an opening three-and-out by the Bulldogs, Girard took no time to get on the board. Zuppo capped an eight-play drive with an 11-yard touchdown run.
Lakeview's next possession ended in the same three-and-out result. The Bulldogs' punt pinned Girard on the 10-yard line.
On first-and-10, a Zuppo pass was deflected by a Lakeview defender and into the hands of another Bulldog, Matt Nero. Nero returned it to the 1.
Nero was then rewarded when he blasted up the middle for the score.
Girard crossed the goal line one last time before halftime when Zuppo connected with senior Brandon Gardner for a 10-yard throw and catch.
With only 33 seconds remaining in the half, Jim McHale sent a ball end over end and through the uprights for a 39-yard field goal.
Girard went in with a 13-10 lead at halftime, after outgaining its opponents 179-35 offensively. Lakeview's only first down of the half came at the 3:45 mark of the second quarter.
"Our kids never quit," McSuley said. "We had to make some plays. We did make some plays, but we can't have any letdowns. We did have some letdowns, and we let them back into the game."
After a 67-yard drive by Girard to open the second half, the Indians would not see the end zone for the remainder of the game.
Keeping it close
Instead, the Bulldogs would scratch and claw their way to more scores.
Lakeview quarterback Corey Huffman was driving his team deep into Girard territory before he threw an interception with 3:55 remaining in the game.
The Bulldog defense stood strong and held Girard to another three-and-out. After a short punt by the Indians, Huffman sought for redemption, and got it.
Huffman led his team on a 33-yard touchdown drive, which he capped with a 15-yard strike to McHale with 1:51 left in the game.
Lakeview's last chance was an onside kick. Girard's Ryan Tolone fell on the ball to end the Bulldogs' hope.
"Lakeview played real hard," McSuley said. "They're well-coached, and they have some kids that get after it. They made the game a lot closer."