Boyd gives new life to Fitch in 26-13 win

Friday, August 25, 2006 The senior came off the bench to score twice against Chaney. By JOE SCALZO VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF AUSTINTOWN — With just over three minutes remaining in the first half and his starting tailback in need of a breather, Fitch High football coach Neal Kopp knew he needed a fresh player in the backfield. As he looked down the sideline, there was just one guy left — senior Keane Boyd, who was supposed to miss the first half of Thursday's game after breaking a team rule. "I told him, 'Your suspension's been cut [three] minutes short,' " Kopp said. "I guess I'm a softy." He's also a genius. He just didn't know it at the time. On Boyd's first play, a second and 7 at the Fitch 40, he ran a pass route down the left sideline. Junior quarterback Jon Stockman, throwing his first varsity pass in his first varsity start, found Boyd just as Chaney defender Terrelle Tomlin closed on the ball. Boyd wrestled it from Tomlin's grip and broke away for the final 30 yards, tying the game at 7 with 3:15 remaining in the second quarter. "It was just desire," Boyd said. "We were down [on the scoreboard] and I knew I needed to get the ball." Has big night It was the first big play for Boyd. It wasn't the last. He also scored on a 24-yard touchdown run, blocked an extra point, nearly returned an interception for a touchdown and finished with 150 yards running and receiving, leading Fitch to a 26-13 victory at Falcon Stadium. "I told Keane before the game, 'Believe me, you'll get your opportunity,' " said Kopp. "And you've got to give the kid credit. He didn't sulk over the punishment. He accepted it. "And when he got his opportunity, he made the most of it." It was the fourth straight victory for the Falcons in the West Side rivalry, although that's not the only number not working in Chaney's favor. The Cowboys have just 42 players on their roster and Fitch's size and depth wore them down in the second half. Numbers game "It's a numbers game," said Chaney coach Ron Berdis, whose team has several players going both ways. "We knew we needed to jump on them early and we knew we needed to stay healthy. That didn't happen and it's a tough road to hoe. "We were worried that their depth would hurt us and that's exactly what transpired." Chaney took a 7-0 lead on the first of many special teams mistakes by Fitch on the night. Early in the second quarter, Fitch junior Andre Steward fielded a punt at his own 5-yard line, but fumbled the ball and Chaney junior Erick Preston recovered in the end zone. The Falcons almost gave up a safety minutes earlier when a muffed punt snap went through the end zone. (An illegal participation penalty by Chaney gave Fitch new life.) Fitch also missed a field goal (albeit from 42 yards out), failed to convert two extra points and struggled with kick coverage. "We've got to make great improvements in that area," said Kopp. "We really struggled on special teams." Defensive standout Fitch senior J.J. Pankewicz played a terrific game at linebacker, helping the Fitch defense hold Chaney to 15 yards rushing. Boyd had 90 yards on six carries and Pankewicz added 44 yards on 15 carries. The Falcons, who ran out of the stacked-I for the entire game, finished with 194 yards on the ground and completed just one pass. Chaney senior Victory Toney completed 15 of 27 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Tomlin caught five passes for 71 yards. But both players left the field for key parts of the game with leg cramps, a problem that hit several other Cowboys as well. "We have some good players, but when you lose four or five guys during the game, it's really tough," said Berdis. scalzo@vindy.com