Fitch hits on all cylinders in West Side rivalry

Fitch 62 Chaney 7

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Austintown Fitch defeats visiting Chaney 62-7 on Friday evening. 8.28.2009

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FITCH - CHANEY - Fitch fans during their game Friday night. - Special to The Vindicator/Nick Mays

By Greg Gulas

The Falcons gained nearly 400 total yards to defeat their traditional opening-night rival, Chaney, 62-7.

By GREG GULAS

Vindicator Correspondent

AUSTINTOWN — Austintown Fitch High coach Phil Annarella could not have scripted the “Backyard Brawl” any better.

All areas; offense, defense and special teams played a significant role in his Falcons’ season-opening victory over West Side rival Chaney, an overall effort that really pleased both coach and his entire staff.

In the 43rd renewal of the series between these two schools, the Falcons racked up 383 total yards, all but 78 coming on the ground as they pasted the Cowboys, 62-7 Friday at Falcon Field.

Bruce Reed rushed for 121 yards and three touchdowns (all numbers put up in the first half) with quarterback Jon Ballard adding a touchdown apiece on the ground and in the air to pace the Falcons.

“We wanted to start the season on the right foot and just came out ready to play,” said Reed. “We were flat in our last scrimmage against Akron Buchtel so we didn’t want any kind of a let down; especially in our season opening game.

“I must give all of the credit tonight to our offensive line because they made sure I had holes large enough to run through. Everyone just seemed to step it up a notch.”

Annarella, who is in his third season with the Falcons, was pleased with his team’s overall effort; especially the play of his special teams.

“I want to credit our special teams coordinator Paul Cassano for the effort by his unit tonight,” said Annarella.

“They got us on the board first by blocking a Chaney punt on the Cowboys’ very first series and that just set the tone of the game.

“We know what Bruce [Reed] can do and he had an excellent overall game tonight,” he added. “Our offensive line also did a great job of opening up holes for our backs in which to run,” he said.

Fitch (1-0) failed to mount any attack on their opening series and proceeded to hold the Cowboys deep in their own territory on their initial drive of the season.

Enter the Falcons’ special teams as Cam Peterson blocked Cowboys punter Malcolm Adam’s punt and when Daunte Anderson fell on it in the endzone, Fitch took the early 7-0 lead just a little over three minutes into the game.

Reed then scored the first of his three tallies a little under three minutes later from 9 yards out and when wide receiver Sam Mariano hauled in Ballard’s pass from nine yards away at 2:44 of the opening stanza, it enabled the Falcons to race to a 21-0 advantage heading to the second period.

Two more scores by Reed (from 4 and 16 yards), a Shane Stevens scamper from a yard out and a Ballard 21-yard run then gave the Falcons a 28-point period and a 49-0 lead at intermission.

The Falcons’ defense was as “offensive” as the Fitch offense in that they held the Cowboys to just one total yard on 13 plays total plays in the first half, did not allow a first down (the first time Chaney was able to move the sticks came at the 1:46 mark of the third period) and never let their opponent beyond their own 36 yard line.

Ballard, who already has a scholarship offer from Eastern Michigan, was pleased with everyone’s play.

“It was really an overall team effort,” he said. “Our line blocked great, giving me plenty of time in the pocket while our defense and special teams were absolutely outstanding,” Ballard added.