The Falcons didn’t get a first down until the third quarter.

By JOHN KOVACH

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

AUSTINTOWN —The Austintown Fitch High football team’s offense ran into a brick wall in the first half of Friday’s Federal League game at Falcon Stadium.

In fact, the Falcons were unable to get a first down until 10:46 of the third quarter, merely taking three offensive plays and then punting over the unproductive span.

North Canton Hoover, meanwhile, delivered four touchdowns in the first half. Speedy sophomore running back Erick Howard scored three of those touchdowns and finished with a game-high 143 yards rushing as the Vikings went on to a 34-7 victory to continue in a tie for first place in the Federal League with Boardman and Massillon Perry.

Howard was complemented by senior quarterback Jared Wackerly, who threw a pair of TD passes, including a 9-yard strike to wide receiver Dan Nettleton in the first half, and finished with 215 yards on 13-for-19 with one interception.

Matt Wakulchik, who kicked all four extra points in the first half, also had four catches for 64 yards, Nettleton getting three nabs for 48 yards.

“They were more physical than us. We were outplayed out front. That was the difference,” said coach Phil Annarella of Fitch (1-7, 0-5 FL). “I am very impressed with Hoover and disappointed in the way we played.

“We played better in the second half.”

Coach Don Hertler Jr. of Hoover (6-2, 4-1) was impressed the way his team rebounded from a 7-6 loss to Canton GlenOak last week.

“I thought we played fast defensively. Our front eight did a good job. [Defensive coordinator] Glenn Cummings got them ready,” said Hertler, noting that his offensive line let the offense do its job right from the beginning.

“We came out and established the run and gave our quarterback time. And the defense did good things with all those three-and-outs that gave us good field position.”

He said preparation set the groundwork for the win.

“We had a good practice this week. We came off a tough loss last week against GlenOak,” he noted.

But Fitch held Hoover to only one TD in the second half, that being Wackerly’s 5-yard strike to Kevin Dahl in the third quarter.

Meanwhile, the Falcons began to move the ball and got their only TD in the final quarter on quarterback Joe Reedy’s 3-yard run capped by Derek Brendlinger’s kick.

Fitch was held to 29 yards rushing in 19 carries while Hoover had 276 yards in 38 attempts. The Vikings wound up with a 22-9 first-down bulge.

The Falcons’ leader was quarterback Jon Ballard, who was 15-for-23 for 125 yards. Chris Smaldino had six receptions for 39 yards while Brendlinger had three catches for 27 yards.

Hoover also blew three scoring opportunities. The Vikings drove to the Fitch 10 in the third quarter, but Nick Wiery intercepted a pass and returned the ball to the Falcons’ 36.

And a short time later, Wackerly’s 28-yard TD pass to Wakulchik was nullified because of a penalty.

Then in the last quarter, Hoover drove to the Fitch 14 behind sophomore Roman Musisca’s runs, but the Vikings fumbled and Fitch’s Tom Learn recovered at the 14.

Phil Howard, Erick’s brother, contributed 63 yards rushing in seven carries while Musisca added 39 yards in three hauls.

“Erick Howard is a sophomore and our leading back,” said Hertler. “Musisca is a sophomore. Phil Howard is Erick’s brother. He was coming off an injury. They run pretty well.”

kovach@vindy.com