Kennedy Catholic defeated despite scoring 42

Ross Gargano and Lee Plotts led a late rally, requiring double overtime.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- The Kennedy Catholic Golden Eagles' season came to an end after a stunning fourth quarter rally and two overtime sessions in the quarterfinals of the PIAA state's Class A tournament.
The Eagles (9-3) rallied from 14-points down late in the fourth quarter to tie Coudersport but came up inches short on fourth down in the second overtime to fall 48-42 to the Falcons on an ice-covered field at Slippery Rock University.
Coudersport (13-0) stopped the Eagles' Lee Plotts on fourth down from the one and scored moments later on a 3-yard run by David Babcock to end the Eagles' amazing season.
"This game shows the type of kids we have," said Kennedy coach Mike Donato. "Down 14 points in the fourth quarter and to come back in the manner they did and lose is really very heartbreaking.
"When you give that much effort and to have it go for naught is one of life's little lessons."
The Eagles rallied behind the inspired running of juniors Ross Gargano and Plotts.
Fourth-quarter fight
Trailing 35-21 in the final period, Gargano and Plotts led the Eagles on a 10-play, 69-yard drive that featured a 48-yard run by Plotts.
Plotts later scored on the drive on a one-yard run with 5:55 left in the game to pull the gap to 35-27. Kicker Mike Muckian missed the conversion kick when the ball bounced off the left upright.
The Falcons looked like they might put the game away with an impressive drive of their own that ate up most of the remaining time on the clock.
Kennedy had exhausted all its timeouts before the defense stiffened at its own 39 and forced Coudersport to punt with 1:12 left in the game.
The Eagles' George Kovac burst through the line and blocked the Falcon punt with such force that the ball bounded backwards 48 yards where Kennedy took over at the Coudersport 13-yard line with 1:01 left.
Four plays later, Gargano scored from 4-yards out, and the junior tacked on a two-point conversion run to tie the game at 35-35 with 29.4 seconds left.
Overtime
In the first overtime, Coudersport scored on a 10-yard pass play from Brian Wetzel to Logan Hathaway, and Kennedy answered with a 3-yard run by Gargano, his fourth touchdown of the evening.
In the second overtime, Plotts was stopped inches short, although many of the Kennedy players had signaled touchdown.
Coudersport put the game away on Babcock's run that was signaled a touchdown although he fumbled the ball and one official ruled it a touchback.
"Any time you score 42 points, you should win the game," Donato said. "We had a bad stretch there where we couldn't hold them."
The game went back and forth in the first half and early in the third period as the two offenses controlled the football game.
Kennedy was nearly unstoppable on the ground except for two turnovers.
Plotts rushed for 164 yards on 27 carries, while Gargano gained 129 on 26 rushes.
Coudersport used a more balanced attack despite the field conditions, throwing for 132 yards and rushing for 103 yards.
"We had our opportunities, and we didn't take advantage of them," Donato said. "I thought the penalties and turnovers came back to haunt us."