Hubbard defeats Girard, 33-14

By JOHN BASSETTI

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

GIRARD — As the beneficiary of big plays without accompanying mistakes, Hubbard went to work building a 10-0 first half lead en route to a 33-14 win over Girard.

Despite showing a deficit of 10 first downs (21-11), Hubbard took advantage of three interceptions and two fumbles in the Trumbull Athletic Conference game that leaves both teams at 4-3, 3-1.

Marc Kanetsky threw three touchdown passes — two of those to Mike Carnahan and another to Robert Wigfall.

Andre Taylor returned an interception for a TD and John Madeline kicked three extra points and two field goals.

Helping set up the first-half points was safety Marcus Coonce with an intercepton and fumble recovery.

“I just read the pass,” Coonce said of a slant route by Girard receivers before making his interception. “I read the quarterback’s eyes, then stepped into the middle of the pass.”

The Eagles then scored for a 7-0 lead at 3:11.

After his fumble recovery, Hubbard went up 10-0 when Madeline kicked a 29-yard field goal with 3:10 remaining in the second quarter.

“It was out for grabs and I just jumped on it and we got three points out of that,” the 5-9 170 senior said of the fumble that was popped loose by inside linebacker Cody Kilar.

“This was definitely one of my best games and it’s going to be a good memory for me and a good memory for my team,” said Coonce, who also plays offensive receiver.

Bobby Thompson had another pickoff, one of three thrown by sophomore Adam Charles.

The Indians, however, had some chances in the first half, but couldn’t score.

Girard reached the 12-yard line before Coonce’s interception, fizzled again at Hubbard’s 22, then failed to score when knocking at the Eagles’ goalline before halftime.

“They had first down from the 3, but we stuck it out all four plays and got the stop,” Coonce said.

On the flip side, the Indians were also pinned against their own goalline following a muffed punt that was recovered by Taylor.

Hubbard coach Brian Hoffman complimented his players, especially the defense for such stands.

“We definitely had our backs against the wall on offense. But I’d like to commend our defense. Girard has a good, well-coached offense with their timing and rhythm. That’s was a track meet, but our kids were focused for four quarters,” Hoffman said of facing Girard’s hurry-up offense.

“It’s a tribute to the way our kids responded to a challenge.”

Of Coonce, Hoffman said: “Marcus is fierce competitor, but very underrated. He is definitely one of our leaders on defense — not only the two big plays he had, but filling the alleys on several key tackles.”

He was complemented by linebackers Thompson, Kilar and Cory Farcas, along with linemen Matt Lopuchovsky, Dom Dionisio, Robert Lias, Jermaine Collins and Bryce Wrataric.

Some of those players were in a rotation to keep players fresh.

“In the moments they were needed, they responded,” Hoffman said.

Girard coach Bud McSuley said the five turnovers were insurmountable.

“We didn’t capitalize. You can’t turn the ball over five times against a team like that. You’ve got to play error-free football, like they did. They made the plays and we didn’t.”

bassetti@vindy.com