Kennedy rallies to beat Howland in backyard rivalry

Anthony Kokal's interception at the 10-yard line sealed the victory.
By JIM FLICK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
WARREN -- Warren JFK exploded for 15 points in the fourth quarter to end the season with a satisfying 21-20 win over arch-rival Howland on Friday at Mollenkopf Stadium.
The Eagles took the lead 21-20 with 1:21 left in the game, and Howland responded with a strong drive that took the ball to JFK's 33-yard-line. But Anthony Kokal sealed JFK's win when he intercepted a pass by Howland quarterback Brad Lockney at the 10-yard-line.
When Kokal was mobbed by teammates, referees flagged JFK for its first penalty of the game. The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty placed the ball at the Eagles' own 5-yard line, and JFK ran out the clock.
JFK's offense was led by running back Tony Elzy, who gained 118 yards on 28 carries despite a sore ankle, to bring his season total to an impressive 2,134 yards on 204 carries.
Game winning score
Jack Henderson provided a late spark for the Eagles, gaining 43 yards on three carries, including a 25-yard burst to score the touchdown that tied the game. Jeff Jenkins' successful kick for an extra point gave the Eagles the narrow margin of victory.
Elzy took a statistical backseat to Howland running back Lance Smith, a junior, who gained 187 yards on 30 carries.
The win boosted JFK's record to 8-2 and kept its playoff hopes alive, while Howland's season ended with a 6-4 record.
JFK took the opening kickoff and marched downfield, gaining five first downs before Elzy carried the ball in from the 1-yard line. The kick failed, giving the Eagles a 6-0 lead.
Howland led early
Howland scored two unanswered touchdowns to take a 14-6 lead that held up until the fourth quarter.
"Perseverance," was the key to the Eagles' win, coach Tony Napolet said. "We never gave up."
Napolet said defeating Howland for the first time in five years was important to JFK.
"Howland was a little bit of a wall, and we're glad to break down that well," he said.
Elzy's sore ankle was a problem that Napolet said worried him throughout the game. Napolet said his star running back's sore ankle was a result of the previous week's game against Campbell, but didn't elaborate.
"He'll be fine," Napolet said with a shrug.
Played in pain
Elzy admitted after the game his ankle felt sore, but laughed and added, "It feels great now, after beating Howland."
When asked about Elzy's sore ankle, Howland coach Dick Angle said simply, "It didn't look like he was hurting."
Angle added that the Warren JFK-Howland rivalry "is the best rivalry in Trumbull County.
"I hope this win over us gets them into the playoffs," Angle said.
Going into the game, Warren JFK ranked 11th in Division V, Region 17. The top eight teams qualify for the playoffs.
"This was a well-played game between two arch-rivals," Angle added. "It's a shame somebody had to lose. ... Our guys play hard and they played well. I tell them it's like life; you gotta take the good with the bad."