Fitch's perfect season ruined

The Falcons were beset by injuries and Canton GlenOak.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CANTON -- Austintown Fitch's bid for the football program's first undefeated regular season came to an end Friday at Fawcett Stadium.
The Falcons (8-1, 5-1) fell behind 14-0 early and dropped a 26-6 Federal League contest to Canton GlenOak (6-3, 4-2).
"The kids are really down," Fitch coach Neal Kopp said, "but we still have all of our goals intact. We already own a playoff spot and we can win the [Federal League] title outright and a possible home playoff game with a win at Boardman next week."
Facing adversity
The Falcons were hampered with injuries, which made it tough offensively against a physical Golden Eagle team.
Running back Mike Eliseo and lineman Shane Price were lost to injuries in the first half and Fitch never could get its vaunted running game in gear.
Defensively, the Falcons had trouble with GlenOak's spread offense and quarterback Mike Hartline.
The junior completed 18 of 27 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown. He also scored a pair of touchdowns on 1-yard runs.
"They are a very physical team," Kopp said of the Golden Eagles. "It's tough to out-play them when you are missing several of your key players."
Taking advantage
GlenOak jumped on the Falcons on its second offensive possession of the game following a poor punt by Fitch. The Eagles marched 44 yards in seven plays before Hartline scored on his first 1-yard run.
GlenOak also scored early in the second quarter, driving from its own 35 to the Fitch 5-yard line in nine plays.
After setting up for a 22-yard field goal attempt by Brian McNew, the Eagles faked the kick and McNew ran in from the 5 for GlenOak's second score.
Fitch responded on its next drive to get back in the contest.
In Fitch's typical power football style, the Falcons marched 65 yards in 12 plays to set up a 2-yard scoring run by Dane Stilgenbauer.
Although Fitch was held to 74 yards of offense in the first half, it trailed 14-6 at the break.
GlenOak dominated the second half but didn't put the game away until the fourth quarter by scoring on a 9-yard scoring pass from Hartline to Kirby Mayle. The Eagles' final score came on a 1-yard run by Hartline.
GlenOak's motivation
The win should give the Eagles a legitimate chance at earning a playoff berth.
"This was like a playoff game for [GlenOak]," Kopp said. "They played with a lot of intensity and were able to take it to us.
"But we'll be back," Kopp said. "We have our entire season ahead of us and I know this team will respond to the challenge."
Stilgenbauer led the Falcons in rushing with 38 yards while Tom Sudetic and quarterback John Mang added 36 yards each.