Hoover steals Fitch's early lead for 19-14 comeback win

The Falcons dominated first-half action.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
AUSTINTOWN -- The Fitch High football team had everything going right during the first half of Friday's game with Federal League leader North Canton Hoover.
In the first two quarters, the Falcons (2-5, 1-3) rolled up 181 yards of offense, all on the ground, on a wet and rainy night at home to dominate the Vikings (6-1,4-0), 14-7.
But Hoover rallied for 12 points in the second half, and the Vikings defense slammed the door shut on Fitch's ground game to pull out a 19-14 win.
"We were executing and playing good football in the first half," Fitch coach Neal Kopp said. "But it seems that when things are going well for a team like Hoover, they find a way to win.
"They didn't make any adjustments in the second half; they just challenged their kids, and they got it done, and we didn't."
Hoover's defense held Fitch to just eight plays in two possessions until the final 30 seconds of the game.
Fitch tried to rally from its own 8-yard line in the final seconds, but quarterback Matt Ruble was tackled in the end zone to secure the victory for Hoover.
"They're a good team," Hoover coach Don Hertler Jr. said. "Don't let their record fool you. We knew we would be in for a heck of a game down here.
"Fortunately, we were able to make some things happen with our passing game and come away with a win," Hertler said.
Game progression
Fitch scored on its first drive by marching 80 yards in nine plays. Dane Stilgenbauer, who rushed for 53 yards on 10 carries, scored from 5 yards out to give the Falcons the early lead.
Hoover threatened on its first possession, but Fitch's Keane Boyd intercepted Josh Nettleton in the end zone to stop the Vikings.
Hoover did manage to score on its next possession on a 5-yard scoring pass from Nettleton to Zac Cochenour to tie the score.
Fitch tallied in the second quarter, marching 78 yards on nine plays before Stilgenbauer scored on a 3-yard run.
Fitch used a strong running game the entire first half to keep the Viking offense off the field.
Tailback Taylor Edwards gained 57 yards on nine carries, while fullback J.J. Pankewicz led all rushers with 81 yards on 11 carries.
Hoover took over the game in the final two periods as Fitch was able to run just 11 plays and gain 20 yards of offense the entire second half.
"We never were able to get any continuity going in the second half," Kopp said. "We had only two meaningful opportunities, and we uncharacteristically made some mistakes during the one drive."
Kopp said that he thought that Hoover did a good job of taking the game to the Falcons in the second half.
"They did to us what we try to do to teams and that's dominate the running game," Kopp said. "They like to throw the ball, but they beat us on the ground tonight."
Hoover cut Fitch's lead to 14-10 in the third quarter on an Alex Bojko, 25-yard field goal and took the lead for good with 7:13 left in the game on a 12-yard scoring pass from Nettleton to Matt Wakulchik.
Nettleton finished the night by connecting on 15-of-25 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
"We're not really good enough at passing or running alone -- we have to be able to do both," Hertler said. "Tonight we were able to get the job done by doing both things equally well."