JFK hoping to keep Aces out of the game Saturday The Eagles and Amanda-Clearcreek battle in a Division V semifinal in Ashland

By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
What's worse than a dog dare?
A double-dog dare.
The football equivalents of the dares are challenging games and very challenging games.
Warren JFK has already survived the dog dares of the playoffs -- overtime win against Barnesville and another close victory over South Range in the last two weeks, but the Eagles (13-0) aren't out of the woods yet.
On Friday, JFK is paired against Amanda-Clearcreek (12-1) in a Division V state semifinal in Ashland.
The Eagles lost to Amanda-Clearcreek in double overtime in a state semifinal in 2003 in a game at Canton Central Catholic.
Amanda-Clearcreek was state runner-up that year.
Dare we say that another close game is in the forecast?
"It should be another good one," JFK coach Tony Napolet said.
"They haven't changed much," he said of Amanda-Clearcreek's offense. "They like to pound at you. If they can get away with it, they'll continue to try to control the ball."
Expects variety on offense
Specifically, Napolet expects his defensive players to see a variety of offensive formations from the Aces.
"They do it all: double wing, I, split backs, one-back, spread, bootleg, boot sweep, dive, dive option, dive pass - you name it," Napolet said. "They'll show play-action off of anything they run. We'll see the whole package."
The Eagles have seen the range of formations over the course of their 13 games, but not all the formations from one team.
Napolet said that Amanda-Clearcreek is rich in tradition and playoff experience.
The Aces were back-to-back Div. V state champions in 1999 and 2000. Amanda-Clearcreek's last state championship game appearance was in 2004, when the Aces lost to St. Henry, 35-7.
Leading the Aces
The quarterback behind the successful system is Dalton Smith, a 6-0, 163-pound quarterback who does it all.
Smith is the top rusher with 931 yards on 188 attempts and he's thrown for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Rushers not far behind are Justin Leasure (6-0, 178) and Ben Ball (5-11, 200) with 824 yards/15 TDs and 715 yards/12 TDs, respectively.
Smith has completed 93 of 182 passes and had thrown eight interceptions.
Leasure also has 32 catches for a team-best 461 yards. In addition to his 15 rushing TDs, Leasure has four via reception and another on a punt return.
Defensively, Ball has 129 tackles and Leasure has five interceptions. Defensive back Anthony Wampler and lineman Bill Davie have 74 tackles apiece, while linebacker Matt Nestor has 73 stops. The 6-4, 220 Davis has 11 tackles for losses and a team-leading seven sacks. Judd Ellinger, a 6-5, 222-pound junior outside linebacker, has 68 tackles -- nine of which are for losses -- and six sacks.
Dray top tackler
Inside linebacker Rob Dray, Stefan Aulizio, noseman Tom Mariani, James Bluedorn and Anthony Kokal are JFK's top tacklers with 86, 66, 65, 54 and 53 first stops, respectively.
Bluedorn (9), Mariani (8) and Cory Fambro (7) are the sack leaders.
Against the Aces in 2003, JFK had 180 yards rushing in the first half, but the halftime score was 0-0. The overtime score was 7-7 until Amanda-Clearcreek prevailed, 10-7.
"We missed a couple field goals in regulation," Napolet recalled. "It was a defensive game all the way. I look for this to be a little more wide open."
Judging by points, JFK has done better.
The Eagles have scored 408 and allowed 71, while Amanda-Clearcreek has put up 349 to opponents' 136.
Against Barnesville -- a 14-8 OT win, the Eagles relied mostly on their defense. Against Range, the defense spent less time on the field.
Napolet expects JFK to have a little more balance for its 2006 encounter with the Aces than the Eagles did in 2003.
"We might be a little different in that we'll spread the ball around [with passes] a little more and throw a little better."
The Aces double-dare you.
bassetti@vindy.com