TAC Zuppo is a sparkler in Girard fireworks

The senior quarterback was involved in seven touchdowns.
By DAVE DEVEREUX
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEWTON FALLS -- In a battle of unbeaten teams in the Trumbull Athletic Conference, defending league champion Girard sent a message to Newton Falls and the rest of the league -- The Indians are still the team to beat.
Senior quarterback Matt Zuppo led the offensive assault, being involved in seven touchdowns, as the Girard football rolled past Newton Falls 46-14 Friday to give the Indians (4-2, 3-0) sole possession of first place in the TAC.
Girard, which came in the No. 10-ranked team in the Division IV, Region 13 playoff rankings, has rallied to win four straight games -- three in the TAC -- after starting the season 1-2.
"We really came on after [Warren] JFK," Girard coach Bud McSuley said. "We graduated 19 starters last year so we had some kids that were in the program but needed to get some game experience.
"Once they got that experience, you see them now starting to understand what it takes to win."
Went after secondary
After Newton Falls went three-and-out on the opening possession of the game, Girard went right after the Tigers' secondary and didn't deviate from that game plan much during the first half.
The Indians scored touchdowns on their first five possessions to open a 34-7 halftime advantage.
"This was a Newton Falls team that beat a very good Hubbard team," McSuley said. "They were riding high so we just had to step up and make plays early."
Zuppo, who completed 13 straight passes to start the game, finished 21-for-24 passing for 379 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed 11 times for 111 yards, with touchdown runs coming from 4 and 43 yards.
Found the groove
"We came out in the no-huddle offense and I hit eight or nine passes in a row," Zuppo said. "We just got in a groove and kept going.
"The receivers did a great job taking some hits and catching the ball and the line gave me the time," he added.
On its first possession, Girard marched 67 yards on five plays. Zuppo completed 4-of-4 passes on the drive, with the final strike to Ryan Collins for a 10-yard score. Jon Raidel added the extra point, giving Girard an early 7-0 lead.
Newton Falls tied the game on the ensuing kickoff when Matt Gillespie broke free down the middle for a 95-yard return.
However, the tie score lasted only until the next series.
After a Zuppo pass to running back Bobby Hepfner advanced the ball to the Newton Falls 29, Zuppo connected with a wide open Brandon Gardner for a 29-yard pass play.
On the Indians' next possession, Zuppo found Collins again, this time on a 71-yard pass play. What looked like it might be an interception, Zuppo's pass went between two Newton Falls defenders into the arms of Collins, who raced from midfield to the end zone.
Collins has 3 TDs
Collins added an 11-yard touchdown reception late in the second quarter, giving him three for the game.
Collins finished with four receptions for 97 yards, while senior Nick Canterino caught four passes for 87 yards. Junior Ryan Tolone tallied five catches for 73 yards and Hepfner added four receptions, including a 10-yard touchdown reception.
"[Zuppo] saw everything tonight," McSuley said. "The receivers caught the ball, the offensive line did a great job with protection and Matt read the secondary really well.
"And our defense shut down a very good Newton Falls offense," he added.
After giving up a mere 208 yards per game heading in, Newton Falls (3-3, 3-1) surrendered 534 total yards to the Indians.
The Tigers were led by Gillespie, who also scored on a 43-yard run in the fourth quarter. He carried 14 times for 103 yards.