TRUMBULL COUNTY JFK gains 28-20 win with help from line

Good blocking opened the door for Eagles' runners against Newton Falls.
By RYAN JONES
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEWTON FALLS -- Warren JFK's offensive line might lack experience, but you cannot argue with the results.
The unit allowed quarterback JJ Townsend and tailback Tony Elzy to rumble for 275 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a 28-20 victory over Newton Falls Friday night.
"We're still a very young team, but I'm happy because we are getting better," coach Tony Napolet said. "As long as we improve every week you'll have no gripes."
Townsend wasted no time finding the end zone on JFK's first possession of the game.
The junior scored from 55 yards out on an option keeper to put the Eagles up 6-0.
"He's pretty smooth," Napolet said. "He played a great game for his first time out and hopefully he is going to be a great player before long."
Newton Falls tied the game at six on George Davis' 7-yard touchdown run.
JFK pushed the lead to 15 with three minutes to go in the half. Townsend rolled right and hit Dorian Rodgers over the middle for a 45 yard touchdown catch and run to make the score 21-6.
The tide turns
The momentum changed hands as the Tigers managed to score with 22 seconds remaining in the half that cut the lead to 21-12.
Davis powered his way into the end zone from three yards out on fourth and goal.
The Tigers cut the lead to 21-20 after Davis collected his third rushing score of the game on a 19 yard run immediately following halftime.
"I thought this was going to be a good game," Napolet said.
"I watched two films of them [Newton Falls] and saw they had some good skill position athletes and a big offensive line."
Townsend shut the door on the comeback when he scored on a 10 yard run with 4:19 remaining in the game.
Townsend totaled 122 yards rushing on 11 carries.
He passed for an additional 82 yards.
The Tigers managed to move the ball into JFK territory but Davis fumbled with 3:28 to play and the Eagles recovered to seal the victory.
"We have to take it one step further next week," coach Marc Bjelac said.
"We can't turn the ball over and we have to avoid the silly mistakes we made tonight."
Elzy ran 21 times for 153 yards and one touchdown.