JFK faces monumental task against St. Henry

The Redskins are 38-7 in postseason and 5-2 in state championship games.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
WARREN -- The Warren JFK High football team played its easiest playoff game of the season last Saturday.
No such luck this week.
"This is a monumental task," said Eagles coach Tony Napolet, whose team defeated Amanda-Clearcreek 34-6 in the state semifinal. "We're definitely going to have to bring our 'A' game just to be in it."
The Eagles (14-0) will make their fourth state final appearance, and first since 1992, when they play St. Henry (13-1) at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Division V championship game at Canton Fawcett Stadium.
Napolet, who has a 163-59-2 record in 19 years with the Eagles, is 1-1 all-time in the state final, leading JFK to its only state championship in 1991. The Eagles lost the finale in 1992 and also in 1989, the latter under former coach Dennis Zolciak.
"I've been there for both situations and there's no greater feeling than when you win," said Napolet.
At the beginning of the season, Napolet was just hoping this team could earn a playoff berth. The Eagles had lost All-Ohio running back Anthony Elzy to graduation and there were question marks at several positions.
"We never thought we'd be where we are today," said Napolet. "But there's a number of reasons why. The chemistry is good and the [assistant] coaches are excellent. I give them a lot of the credit.
Napolet's assistants are African Grant, Larry Hoffman, Mike Naples, Dave Pappada, Jim Pappada, Bob Terlecky and Dennis Zolciak. Several have been head coaches at other programs.
"Everyone has coached their position well and done a great job and the kids have responded," said Napolet.
The Eagles' defense has been the biggest reason for their success, holding every opponent this season to 14 points or fewer. Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas, in week 8, was the first team to score more than 7 points against the Eagles. Still, even after a 10-0 regular season, many wondered whether JFK's schedule was the major reason for its success.
The Eagles answered those doubters with close wins over Smithville (22-14) and Barnesville (14-8, OT) in the first two weeks of the playoffs, then knocked off the state's top-ranked team, South Range, in the regional final, 21-14.
Last week's win over Amanda-Clearcreek was never in doubt as the Eagles took a 20-0 halftime lead and cruised in the second half. It was a rematch of the 2003 state semifinal when the Aces defeated JFK 10-7.
"We played fairly well offensively and defensively, especially in the first half," Napolet said of Saturday's game. "It's a great feeling to be at this point, especially since we never expected to be this far at this point in time.
"It doesn't get any better than when you're practicing on Thanksgiving morning. That is really the dingleberries."
JFK is making its 16th appearance in the postseason -- second only to Mooney (19) among area teams -- and is 25-14 all-time. St. Henry is 38-7 all-time in 13 postseason appearances and are 5-2 in the state final, winning championships in 1990, 92, 94, 95 and 2004. The Redskins lost the final game in 1996 and 99.
"Their tradition is like ours," said Napolet. "They've been there. And we haven't been there in awhile."
Last Trumbull champion
No Trumbull County school has won a state title since the Eagles in 1991. Since 1993, only one Trumbull County school has even made it to the championship game: Warren Harding lost to Cincinnati Elder in the 2002 Division I final.
Napolet would love to snap that streak this weekend.
"We're just happy to be where we are," said Napolet. "Hopefully we'll show up and try to play a good game."
scalzo@vindy.com