Fitch clinches Federal title with 31-6 win

The Falcons won their first outright league title since 1993.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- Fitch High football coach Neal Kopp walked off the Fawcett Stadium field last Friday feeling for the first time all season that his team had been outplayed.
Even worse, they had been outhustled.
"GlenOak played that game like a playoff game and we didn't," he said. "We had already clinched a share of the league title and a playoff game and our kids didn't match their intensity.
"We learned a valuable lesson."
The Falcons took out their frustrations on Friday against arch-rival Boardman, opening a 31-0 lead en route to a 31-6 victory that gave Fitch the Federal League title outright -- its first outright league title since 1993.
"We were down after the GlenOak game, but we got together and told ourselves we needed to bounce back," said Fitch senior quarterback John Mang. "I think we were really focused tonight."
Home for the playoffs
The Falcons, who entered the game ranked second in the Division I, Region 1 computer ratings, also (unofficially) clinched their first home playoff game in school history. The playoff pairings will be released on Sunday afternoon.
Fitch has already secured its first playoff berth since 1992.
"They deserved this title," Kopp said. "I'm so proud of the seniors. They've accomplished so much. We've had some down years here and now we've restored some of the pride at this school."
Falcons score early
Fitch took an 8-0 lead on a 1-yard TD run by Taylor Edwards on its opening drive. Boardman was ready to tie the game early in the second quarter, but Spartan quarterback Joe Bako's pass went off the hands of Tony Tarantino and Mang caught the pass at the Fitch 15, returning it 85 yards to make it 16-0.
Two plays later, Fitch senior Fred Weidenthal intercepted quarterback Mike Howell's pass and took it 22 yards for the TD. Mang added a 34-yard TD run midway through the second quarter and spent the second half on the sidelines. Fullback Mike Eliseo also didn't play against the Spartans, but will be ready for the postseason.
"We got one of our goals by winning the league and our next goal is to win a state championship," said Mang. "I think it's been real exciting for the seniors, because we've never been in this spot before.
"Hopefully we've got five more games to go."
Big edge in rushing
Mang carried five times for 56 yards and Tom Sudetic added seven carries for 74 yards as the Falcons (9-1, 6-1) had a 216-59 edge in rushing yards. Mang also hit 3 of 5 passes for 66 yards.
K.T. Moses led Boardman (0-10, 0-7) with 13 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown. Bako hit 5 of 12 for 60 yards. It was the Spartans' first winless season in school history.
Kopp will make his first playoff appearance as a head coach next Saturday, but he's no stranger to the postseason. He made the playoffs four times as an assistant at Mooney.
"But in a sense, I think we've been playing playoff-caliber games for the last six weeks of the season," Kopp said. "We've learned we need to play with a sense of urgency in every game."
scalzo@vindy.com