Saturday, June 26, 2004
Two early touchdowns carried Pennsylvania to a 14-7 victory in the 25th all-star game.
By MARK W. MILLER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
SALEM -- A pair of first-quarter touchdowns by Pennsylvania was the difference as it posted a 14-7 victory over Ohio, in the 25th Penn-Ohio Football Classic before a overflow crowd Friday at Reilly Stadium.
Defensive lineman Adam Hoppel of Beaver Local, a four-time Division II state qualifier in wrestling and a member of the Beavers' 2004 football team that made the state playoffs, was named the Ohio MVP. Hoppel will continue his athletic career at the University of Cincinnati.
Behind 14-0, the Ohioans scored their only touchdown in the third quarter as United's Corey Manfull caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from his teammate, quarterback Mitch Phillis, to finish a three-play, 55-yard drive.
Lisbon's Jay Yorty made a place kick for the extra point. A 29-yard run by tailback Nate Hubbard of Steubenville put the ball at the 29 just previous to the score. Hubbard carried six times for 60 yards.
Offense lacking
"I am disappointed," said Ohio coach Bob Spaite, who coaches at Columbiana. "We thought the game would be an offensive show, with one or the other team winning by a scored of 28-27 or something like that.
"Our defense played unbelievable. With the exception of [Pennsylvania's interception for a TD and the pass for the other score], we didn't allow them much else."
The Penn stars recovered the opening kickoff at the Ohio 22. A motion penalty set them back to the 27, then a holding penalty set them back to the 34.
After moving to the 15, the Ohio stars squelched the initial drive of the game and took over on downs.
Linebacker Matt Weil of Riverside immediately picked off a pass and took it in for a score. James Kazil's placement made it 7-0 a minute, 58 seconds into the contest.
Penn goes ahead by 14-0
On its second possession of the game, Ryan Helfrich of Moon caught a 60-yard TD strike from quarterback Jordan Potter of Beaver Falls. Kazil's place kick gave the Penn stars a 14-0 lead with 6:34 remaining in the first quarter.
"That early lead was huge, said Jime Wilson of Freedom, who was coach of the Penn stars.
Dominic Nardone, who had two interceptions and running back Kazil of South Side, who carried eight times for 42 yards, were selected Pennsylvania MVPs.
"This was a heck of a ball game," Wilson said. "Our defense was strong, especially our defensive backs, Nardone, Curt McMillen (Hopewell), Robbie Leonard (Moon Township) and Brian Dvorsak (Blackhawk), who covered everything they tried exceptionally well."
Team failed to jell
Spaite said his team just didn't click.
"Our timing was off," he said. "We missed some key catches and our quarterbacks missed some throws. But you can expect that sort of thing in an all-star game, when you have such a short time to prepare for it.
"But the kids really were excited. The joy of playing is what its about. Our kids stuck in there, never quit and played with pride."
The Penn stars won for the fourth straight time and have won eight of the last nine games. Penn lead the series 19-6.
The Ohioans rushed for 95 yards on 22 carries and they were 10 of 22 for 143 passing. Penn gained 132 yards on 33 attempts and it connected on seven of 12 passes for 112 yards.
Penn 14000--14
Ohio0070--7
Penn -- Matt Weil, 15, interception return (James Kazil, kick)
Penn -- Ryan Helfrich, 60, pass from Jordan Potter (Kazil, kick)
Ohio -- Corey Manfull, 29, pass from Mitch Phillis (Jay Yorty, kick)