AUSTINTOWN Fitch's line opens way to 8-0 victory

Mike Eliseo and Nigel Taylor came up with big plays against Cathedral Prep.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AUSTINTOWN -- When a football team has a strong and conditioned offensive line that begins to block effectively, it will begin opening some holes.
Then when that team also has five ball carriers eager to carry the load and are taking turns running through the holes, it is going to begin gaining some yards.
And when the line and backs start wearing down a virtual one-platoon opponent and the defense comes up with the big plays at crucial times, that team has a good chance of winning.
Such was the scenario Friday night at Falcon Stadium as Austintown Fitch's offensive line took control in the second half.
That paved the way for Mike Eliseo to score eight points, while the defense turned back three Erie Cathedral Prep threats, as the Falcons eked out an 8-0 win to remain undefeated.
Eliseo, a senior tailback, scored on a 2-yard run with 2:29 left in the third period to climax a 13-play, 59-yard drive, and then teammate Nigel Taylor, a senior cornerback, broke up a pass near the goal to foil an almost-sure Erie Prep touchdown to preserve the Falcons' win.
Offensive line dominates
"Really the whole second half our offensive line took control. It was a thing of beauty," said Fitch (2-0) coach Neal Kopp, who praised the blocking of ends Frank Cardon and Mike Craig, tackles Brian Mellott and Pat Reedy, guards Mark McGlynn and J.R. Miller, center Joe Stryffeler and also upback Stas Chearney. "We have five returning starters on the offensive line."
In addition, "They [Prep] were not in the best of game shape and we were. They were playing a lot of kids both ways and we wore them down," said Kopp.
Plus, "We have five guys who can run [Eliseo, fullbacks Tom Sudetic and Dane Stilgenbauer, tailback Melvin Davis and quarterback John Mang]. And we can even put in [quarterback] Matt Ruble for Mang."
Coach Mike Mischler of Erie Prep (0-1) said Fitch was the stronger team in the second half.
"We had 10 guys going both ways. We were worn out. But we knew that would happen," said Mischler, noting his team has 43 seniors and juniors combined but that only 10 players were carrying the load.
"[Fitch] is very good. They wore us down. They got into the weight room [in the preseason] and we didn't."
Defense saves first half
But Fitch was playing defensively in the first half, fortunately stopping a pair of Erie Prep drives to the 8-yard line on A.J. Deluca's failed 25-yard field goal attempt and to the 25-yard line.
But then the Falcons' offense got going and marched to the Erie Prep 18 before Dana Revel intercepted to foil the Falcons' bid to end the half.
"We ran out of time in the first half. We had them on the ropes," said Kopp.
Then the first time Fitch had the ball in the second half, it marched down the field and scored.
However, Erie Prep wouldn't quit and retaliated and drove to the Falcons' 17, from where Taylor broke up the sure-TD pass. But the Ramblers kept going on the drive to the 7, and Deluca missed another field goal of 24 yards.
Then Fitch launched another drive from its 20 to the Erie Prep 15, but the Falcons fumbled on the next play and Andre Mathis Jr. recovered for Prep to kill the bid.
But the Ramblers weren't finished and broke out to their 39 on Matt Fischer's 34-yard pass to Jovan Rowan. However, two plays later Mang intercepted at the Fitch 42 to seal the win.
kovach@vindy.com