By Jim Flick

Mike Stacchioti recovered a fumble inside the 20 late in regulation before the Indians won in two overtimes.

NILES — In a hard-fought battle between long-time rivals, Girard scored two touchdowns in overtime to defeat Niles 28-21 Friday.

Girard was led by senior Kyle Stadelmyer, who gained 108 yards on 18 carries and scored two touchdowns on offense, and also intercepted a Niles pass. But he was injured late in the game and was unable to play in the two overtimes. Girard coach Bud McSuley said the extent of Stadelmyer’s injury was uncertain.

Niles was led by senior running back Zak Stanton, who gained 199 yards on 30 carries and scored all three of the Red Dragons’ touchdowns.

“All the kids stepped up when it counted,” McSuley said. “This was a real nice team win. … We stopped them when we had to.”

The Indians (6-0) had to stop the Red Dragons (2-4) as they neared the goal line in the fourth quarter. With the clock running out in the fourth period and the score tied, Niles neared the goal line and seemed well within field goal range. But Girard’s Mike Stacchioti recovered a fumble inside the 20-yard line.

In the first play in the first overtime period, Stanton burst through Girard defenders for a 20-yard touchdown run. Nick Liste’s extra point kick gave the Red Dragons what would prove to be their last lead of the night.

Tallen Birmingham caught an 8-yard pass from quarterback Dan Graziano and Ryan Kirkpatrick kicked the extra point to pull Girard even.

In the second overtime, Michael Floravit caught a 20-yard pass from Graziano to put Girard ahead for good.

The Indians then stopped the Red Dragons from scoring, and the celebration began when Morgan Brogdon’s final pass attempt for Niles hit the field incomplete.

Turnovers were a key to the game. Niles turned the ball over three times, including three fumbles and the interception snagged by Stadelmyer, while Girard never turned over the ball during the game.

“You can’t win when you lose the turnover battle,” Niles coach Brad Yeager said.