Dominating 'D' leads South Range

By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
LOWELLVILLE -- The Lowellville High football team's 16-game regular-season winning streak extending to the 2001 season was dangling in front of a hungry South Range team Friday in an Inter-County League collision of undefeated teams.
And the Rockets' 10-0 regular-season mark last year, including 7-0 in the Inter-County League to win the championship, also was dangling in front of the Raiders.
Plus, this year's ICL lead and an unbeaten status -- both teams entered the game at 4-0 and 1-0 in the league -- also was dangling in front of South Range.
The Raiders had a lot of incentive to win and they capitalized on it with a strong defensive performance for a 14-0 victory and a share of first place in the league with McDonald and Mineral Ridge.
Great defensive show
"Our defense played fantastic. We were swarming over the ball and gang-tackling," said South Range coach Dan Yeagley, whose Raiders held the Rockets to only 36 net yards rushing, 70 yards passing and four first downs.
Yeagley said several Raiders -- Ryan Maxwell, Tony Darkadakis, Russell Dawson and Matt Novak -- led the motivated defensive charge.
"Matt Novak had a couple of big hits. Ryan Maxwell had two interceptions. [Tony] Darkadakis and Novak contained the sweeps," said Yeagley, noting that, "Russell Dawson [has done] a great job all year."
But Lowellville coach Cliff Jamison said South Range also dominated offensively.
"They're good. They controlled the ball so much. They had a big advantage in time of possessions. They were playing better up front," Jamison said. "They outplayed us. They deserve all the credit."
Raiders strike early
Maxwell, doubling at quarterback, scored on a 9-yard run early in the first quarter, Ben Johnston rambled 20 yards to a score in the third period and Pat Majernik kicked both extra points to spark the Raiders' offense.
Johnston led all rushers with 133 yards in 21 carries while Maxwell contributed 94 total yards with 61 passing on 4-for-10 and 33 rushing in 11 carries.
Darkadakis added 74 yards rushing in 17 attempts. South Range had 19 first downs.
Lowellville quarterback Jack Noble was 3-for-9 passing for the 70 yards, with two of the throws going to Lucas Gonzalez for 62 yards. Lucas also had 20 yards rushing.
Interception sets up TD
Maxwell's TD was set up by an interception at the Lowellville 10 that he returned to the 4, after the Rockets had been penned in at their 4 following the opening kickoff and a penalty. Maxwell scored on the second play after his team was penalized 5 yards.
Johnston's TD at 7:49 of the third capped an eight-play, 67-yard drive after South Range had received the second-half kickoff.
The Raiders also blew four scoring opportunities -- at the Lowellville 22 late in the first quarter on a fumble, the 10 on Noble's interception late in the second quarter, the 24 in the fourth quarter on a fumble, and near the 18 as time expired.
Lowellville's deepest threat was to the South Range 33 in the third quarter that was foiled by Maxwell's interception.
kovach@vindy.com