By Lowell Spencer

sports@vindy.com

LEETONIA

There were no playoff spots on the line. A league title was out of the question, but school pride was evident Friday night at Leetonia Stadium as the Bears used a staunch defense and two touchdown passes from senior quarterback Cody Stokes to claw their way to a 20-0 victory over Lowellville.

“Well, you know Cody; we’re going to miss him,” said Leetonia coach Matt Altomare. “This was his first year starting; he had some struggles with injuries last year and missed the whole season. He didn’t play quarterback until this year. It was really good to get him some touchdowns [passes], and he didn’t turn the ball over either.”

The Bears had a very auspicious start, though, as on their first possession the Rockets’ Bryan Schiraldi blocked a punt, giving Lowellville the ball at the Leetonia 29.

But the Bears’ defense put up a brick wall and stopped Lowellville on downs at the 15.

The teams traded possessions until late in the first half when again the Bears defense made a big play.

Senior defense back R.J. Pacella picked off an Alex Harklerode pass at midfield. From there the Bears used nine plays to score on a Stokes to Alex Maltie 3-yard pass with only 20 seconds remaining in the half. The extra point made it 7-0.

Leetonia essentially put the game away on the first possession of the second half, travelling 55 yards on eight plays to score on Zack Van Giesen’s 9-yard run right up the middle. That made it 13-0 with seven minutes left in the third quarter.

The Bears defense again set up the offense on the Rockets’ next possession as Leetonia linebacker Tom Cruz picked off a pass at the 36.

Leetonia then drove the 64 yards to the end zone in 14 plays, with Stokes finding Zack Van Giesen on a 10-yard TD pass with 9:57 remaining.

“It feels good, not too many touchdown passes this year, but if I’m correct I did hit 1,000 yards for passing so it’s good, and to have two touchdown passes is even better,” Stokes said.

Leetonia’s defense put a final mark on the game as safety Brandon Dattilio picked off two more passes in the final seven minutes.

Lowellville was held to less than 100 yards off offense.

“Early in the game we had our opportunity, we had the ball down around the 10-yard line, and once again we just couldn’t capitalize,” said Lowellville coach Jeff D’Altorio. “After blocking the punt, it was a great opportunity, and we just couldn’t finish. That’s been the situation for us all year,” said D’Altorio.

Leetonia finishes the season with a 4-6 record, including 2-5 in the ITCL, while the Rockets close the year with a 1-9, mark and 1-6 in the ITCL.