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Second-half scoring skill has Girard’s attention
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An offense loaded to strike, lead by the three amigos of RB Ahmad Eggleston, WR Branden Byrd and QB Dan Graziano (2, above) and a stout defense awaits Black River when they face the Girard Indians’ on Saturday’s in the Division IV regional semifinal. The Pirates counter with a fierce defense that has recorded two shutouts and limited opponents to just 19.7 points
By matthew peaslee
girard
After opening the season with a pair of convincing wins, the Black River High football team ran into a rut against Akron Manchester. Down 28-14 entering the fourth quarter, the Pirates rattled off 15 unanswered points in the final frame to win it 29-28 and remain undefeated.
That wasn’t their only chance to be convincing against Manchester. Hosting last week’s Division IV regional quarterfinal at Art Stevenson Field in Sullivan Township, the Pirates pounded the Panthers. Again, Black River needed big production in the second half after leading by just two going into the locker room — 35 points later, it won 49-19.
“They know how to score,” Girard coach Nick Cochran said. “I know that their offense is very dangerous and we’re going to have to match up with them, but that’s not going to be easy.”
Touting a trio of ball carriers, the Pirates are likely to bring out a well-executed ground attack. Jake Sexton and Austin Phillips combined to go for 211 yards in the rematch against Manchester, but the class of the backfield is a stunning sophomore sensation.
Andrew Vaughn has put together an excellent season as he closes in on 2,000 total yards. Last week, he ran for 236 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns.
“It’s tough to just key on him,” Cochran said. “He is a main focus of ours but they do too much to just worry about him. He’s real good, though, and can hurt you no doubt.”
With just four pass attempts against the Panthers, Black River is still not afraid to throw the long ball. Dakota Kuntz’s one completion went for 31 yards.
“They have their three good running backs who will be hard enough to stop,” Cochran said. “Our guys have to stick to the assignments and just be sound because they could catch us off guard.”
With their own version of the three amigos, QB Dan Graziano, RB Ahmad Eggleston and WR Branden Byrd, the Indians also are loaded to strike on offense. But a fierce defense that has recorded two shutouts and limited teams to just 19.7 points is waiting.
“They’ll give us multiple defenses and whatever they’re doing to our defensive alignments, we’ll have to adjust and execute the right way,” Cochran said.
After watching film this week, the second-year head coach has seen the Pirates use nearly every defensive plan in the book with a mix of odd and even fronts with man to man and zone coverage.
Black River is coached by Al Young who is in his 22nd season with the program. On Oct. 15 in a 62-13 win over Brookside, Young reached a milestone with that, his 150th career victory.