The Eagles built a 35-7 lead, but then had to repel the
Indians’ late rally.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

WARREN — There is just something about a Girard-Warren JFK matchup that brings out the best in both teams every year.

The two teams have compiled some major battles over the years and Friday night’s contest at Mollenkopf Stadium was no exception.

The Eagles (2-1) jumped out to a commanding 35-7 lead after three quarters, relaxed a little and before they knew it the Indians were within striking distance 35-21.

But the Eagles, behind the outstanding performance of senior tailback Jared Province rallied at the end to pull out a 41-21 victory.

Province was spectacular as he rushed for 159 yards on 16 carries and five rushing touchdowns and also caught two passes, one for a 42-yard touchdown giving him six scores on the night.

“It was a pretty good night,” Province said after the game. “But I owe it all to them,” as he pointed to his teammates.

“Six touchdowns, that’s pretty good, I think the most I ever scored was three in a game, but we let them back into the game and we had to come back in to close out the win,” Province added.

Coach Napolet shelved

The Eagles were without coach Tony Napolet, who is recovering from an illness and hasn’t been with the team, while defensive coordinator Dennis Zolciak ran the game from the sidelines.

“We built a big lead and then put in the reserves, but Girard doesn’t have many players and our reserves were playing against their starters and just couldn’t get the job done and we had to put the starters back in,” Zolciak said.

“It was the same thing that happened against Campbell in the opener,” he said.

The Indians (1-2) had five turnovers in the contest and coach Bud McSuley said that was a big cross to bear.

“We turned it over too many times and then we got a late interference call on a play we thought we had them stopped and on the next play they broke the big run for a touchdown, that really turned things around,” he said.

The Eagles jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter as the forced a Girard fumble and two plays later Province broke up the middle for a 27 yard score.

Stadelmyer goes 80 yards

Province capped off a 55-yard drive on the next series with a 2-yard scoring run, but on the first play after the kickoff, Kyle Stadelmyer, Girard’s junior tailback took a pitch out, then reversed his field and rambled 80 yards for the Indians’ first touchdown.

Stadelmyer finished with 156 yards rushing on 26 carries and a touchdown.

The Eagles took control again early in the second quarter when Province took an option pitch, cut back across the field and raced 78 yards for a touchdown and a 21-7 halftime lead.

JFK appeared to be putting the game away early in the third quarter when they took the second half kickoff and quickly scored as Dominic LaPolla hit Province with a little swing pass and the senior just followed his blocking 42 yards to the end zone.

After James Howard picked off an Adam Charles pass on the next series and returned it to the Girard 1-yard line, Province scored on the next play for a 35-7 lead.

Girard mounts comeback

The Eagles then began substituting and the Indians, who only dressed 31 players mounted a comeback.

The Eagles were forced to punt, but the ball was snapped way over the head of punter Mike Perisa who fell on back at the JFK 20 yard line. Three plays later Charles hit Dominic Morgan with an 18-yard TD pass.

JFK was forced to punt again and again the snap went over the head of Perisa, who this time scooped it up and got the kick away to the Indians’ 36-yard line.

This time Charles connected with Marty Brinker, who was wide open for a 39-yard scoring play and the lead was cut to 35-21.

The Eagles put the starters back in and it only took one series as LaPolla set up the final score with a 41 yard scamper and then Province closed out the drive with a 20 yard run for the touchdown.

mollica@vindy.com