Campbell tops Struthers

By Greg Gulas | October 31, 2009 at 12:08a.m.

Campbell 14 - Struthers 7

CAMPBELL — Prior to Friday’s game between Struthers and Campbell Memorial High, Struthers mayor Terry Stocker showed Campbell mayor Jack Dill the Steel Hardhat Trophy, which goes to the winning team.

After the game it was Dill, and the Red Devils, who went home with the trophy for the first time in six years.

Derek Carter’s 52-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown at 8:44 of the third quarter proved to be the margin of difference as the Red Devils narrowly defeated their “Bucket of Blood” counterparts, 14-7, in the 85th renewal at John Knapick Field.

Campbell Memorial finished 7-3, a great turnaround from a 2-8 mark two years ago in coach Jeff Bayuk’s first season.

Bayuk was visibly emotional when captains Michael Brooks and Chris Copeland asked him to hoist the trophy with them.

Bayuk took no credit for the turnaround, deflecting the praise to the senior class that stuck with him.

“I cannot tell you how proud I am of the seniors who stuck it out,” he said. “To finish their careers with a 7-3 record and remain in the hunt for a playoff spot is very special. I just love them all to death.

“Darrio [Bivens] carried us tonight. We just couldn’t get our passing game going; lost Nick Golec on the first play of the game with a broken hand yet we were able to hit some key passes to Alex Lopez to get us pointed in the right direction.

“This is one very, very special group of players,” Bayuk added.

Jermayne Brooks got the Wildcats (2-8) on the board first at 2:43 of the opening frame with a 35-yard touchdown romp.

Bivens’ 5-yard run just nine seconds into the second stanza knotted the score at 7 and it stayed that way until halftime.

Bivens, who led all rushers with 109 yards, said the records of the two teams do not matter when it comes to playing this game.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for three years and I just hope now that this isn’t the end of our season,” he said.

“Our offensive line was the big key as they were great in the trenches the entire game.

With the Wildcats in possession of the ball and driving at the Memorial High 48 right early in the third quarter, Wildcats running back Norman Cornwell was hit for a 2-yard loss, fumbled and Carter took advantage by racing 52 yards to the end zone for the deciding score.

Keith Auman had 88 yards and Brooks 84 rushing yards to pace the Wildcats.