Fitch powers way past Lake to clinch tie for Federal crown

The Falcons took a 28-0 halftime lead and held off the Blue Streaks.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- How good is the Austintown Fitch High football team?
"They are the best team we played all year," said Uniontown Lake coach Jeff Durbin, whose Blue Streaks were unable to stop Fitch's relentless ground attack that powered the Falcons to a 28-0 first-half lead and a 34-14 victory Friday night in the rain at Falcon Stadium.
"[Fitch's] offensive line is very good," said Durbin. "But it's not just their offensive line. They have the ability to attack on the inside and outside on the perimeter. They have several good backs.
"They have tough kids and are good in everything [they do]."
Mang leads the way
Senior quarterback John Mang ran for three touchdowns on runs of 10, 4 and 3 yards, while the Falcons scored on all four of their first-half possessions to build their 28-0 advantage, as they held off Lake's belated second-half comeback to clinch at least a tie for the Federal League championship.
"Our kids played a wonderful first half," said coach Neal Kopp of Fitch (8-0, 5-0), whose Falcons, behind strong blocking from an array of talented backs, just ran the ball right at Lake (6-2, 4-2) -- passing the ball only two times.
"No one shut us down all year [on the ground], so why should we pass?" said Kopp. "We have been averaging 360 yards rushing per game."
Kopp said the offensive line paved the way.
"We have five kids on the offensive line who are two-year starters. They are confident of our [play] schemes and believe in themselves," said Kopp. "We were controlling the ground game," despite the wet and muddy conditions.
"We are good mudders; that's what we do [best]."
Fitch's other scores
Fitch's other two TDs were delivered by Tom Sudetic on a 51-yard dash and Mike Eliseo on a 5-yard run, while placekicker Derek Brendlinger kicked four extra points.
Lake quarterback John Rutan had a role in both of his team's TDs -- first on a 39-yard pass to Jameson Konz in the third period and then on a 56-yard run in the last quarter. Both scores were capped by Steve Menyes' placements to cut Fitch's lead to 28-14 with about 11:00 left in the game.
Rutan's TD pass was set up by a Lake fumble recovery at its 46, and the Blue Streaks covered the distance in four plays.
Then Lake stopped Fitch at the Blue Streaks' 38, and on the second play Rutan raced 56 yards to a TD with about 11:00 left.
But after Fitch was stopped on its next offensive series at the Lake 22 with 3:40 left, the Blue Streaks gave up the ball on downs at their 22.
From there, Fitch covered the distance in seven plays to Mang's 10-yard TD dash that sealed the triumph.
Fitch has great start
Fitch's strong start stymied Lake.
The Falcons recovered a fumble on Lake's first offensive series at the Blue Streaks' 42 to set up a seven-play drive capped by Eliseo's 5-yard dash at 5:01 of the first quarter.
Then on Fitch's next possession, the Falcons drove 82 yards in only four plays to Sudetic's 51-yard TD dash at 11:49 of the second period.
After Lake couldn't move and punted, Fitch launched a 69-yard, 13-play march climaxed by Mang's 3-yard TD dash at 2:40 of the second.
Then just before halftime, Fitch's Fred Weidenthal picked off a pass at the Lake 40 and returned it the Blue Streaks' 28, from where Fitch tallied in seven plays on Mang's 4-yard dash.
Eye unbeaten season
Kopp and the Falcons are hoping they can keep winning to set a precedent in Fitch football.
"Fitch has never had an undefeated season," said Kopp, noting that the 1983 team went to 9-0 but then lost its last game to Ursuline to finish 9-1.
The Falcons' next step toward an undefeated milestone is Canton GlenOak next Friday at Fawcett Stadium in Canton. A win also will give Fitch the outright Federal League title.
kovach@vindy.com