The Eagles yielded three
scoring plays of at least 29 yards, a disappointing trend.

By DOUG CHAPIN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

WARREN — Undefeated Elyria Catholic scored 10 points off two Warren JFK turnovers late in the second quarter to put the Eagles in a 17-0 hole on the way to a 30-7 triumph Friday night at Mollenkopf Stadium.

The Panthers (4-0) scored on their first possession on a 33-yard run by Jayson Graham, but the JFK defense stiffened and the offense started to move the ball. It appeared the Eagles had scored early in the second quarter when Jared Province raced into the end zone from 15 yards out, but a penalty wiped out the play.

Pass, then fumble

On the Eagles’ next possession, quarterback Dominic LaPolla completed a short pass to Nick Brown, whose fumble was recovered by the Panthers at the JFK 24.

A quarterback keeper to the 7 by Cody Schuster was wiped out by a penalty, but that didn’t stop Schuster. Three plays later he hit Richie Baker on a post pattern for a 29-yard touchdown play with 2:22 remaining in the half.

The Eagles (2-2) reached the Elyria Catholic 35 on their next possession, but LaPolla’s long ball to Brown was picked off at the 8 by Jake Suetta. He returned the ball to the JFK 39 from where the Panthers went to work with 1:27 remaining.

JFK’s Anthony Angelo nearly came up with an interception to kill the drive, but two plays later Vince Scarpelli nailed a 33-yard field goal with four seconds showing on the clock.

“We didn’t play very well from the opening whistle and we got our butts kicked,” said JFK coach Tony Napolet, who has been battling health problems this season. “If you’re not ready to play the game, you lose 30-7, no matter who you are playing.

“But give Elyria Catholic credit; they played well.”

In control

When Schuster connected with Baker for a 39-yard touchdown — again on a post pattern — on the first possession of the third quarter, the Panthers were in complete control with a 24-0 lead.

Province, who gained 143 yards on 20 carries, scored the Eagles’ only touchdown on a 38-yard burst with 4:11 remaining in the third quarter.

JFK got the ball to the Panther 24 on its next possession, but three straight incompletions ended the threat and the visitors ate up the clock with a 12-play drive that ended at the JFK two with 7:40 left in the game.

Kennedy yielded three scoring plays of at least 29 yards, a disappointing trend, according to Napolet.

“Big plays, especially in the passing game, have killed us all year,” he said. “We’re going to have to get it together.”