By Jim Flick

sports@vindy.com

GIRARD

After falling behind early, the Girard High School football team made it a close game but couldn’t close the gap, losing to Jefferson 34-26 Friday night.

Jefferson’s win kept its hopes alive for a playoff berth. The Falcons (7-2, 4-1 All-American Conference National Division) entered the game ranked eighth in the Division III, Region 9 computer ratings.

Jefferson scored the game’s first three touchdowns to build a 19-0 lead early in the second quarter. But Girard (1-8, 1-5) struck back in the second quarter when junior Jordan Graziano scored on a 22-yard touchdown run.

Jefferson led 19-6 at halftime.

The teams each scored a touchdown in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Indians scored two touchdowns and the Falcons scored one touchdown, which cut Jefferson’s lead to eight points, 34-26, with 6:39 remaining. But Girard couldn’t close the gap.

“We made too many mistakes against a good team,” said Girard coach Nick Cochran. “But our kids didn’t quit.”

Cochran praised Girard’s quarterback, junior Nick Cardiero, who completed 16 of 27 passes for 242 yards while leading the comeback. Cardiero also rushed for 57 yards, threw a touchdown pass then scored another on a 9-yard run.

“He played well getting things back,” Cochran said. “He’s got to focus a little bit more, but he’s going to keep on working and keep on getting better.”

Cardiero’s main target was Graziano, who caught nine passes for 162 yards.

Girard’s leading rusher was running back James Cupan, a junior who carried the ball 15 times for 79 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Jefferson’s offense was led by senior running back Scott Davidson, who gained 249 yards in 35 carries and scored three touchdowns.

“We knew we had to establish the run coming in, and when we have the lead we’re going to line up and pound it. This year he’s our guy to carry the ball,” said Jefferson coach Jim Henson.

Henson added that both Davidson and the offensive line “did an excellent job.”

“In the second half, we came out and wanted to run the clock down and we ran the ball really well,” Henson said.

“I give credit to the line,” said Davidson.

When asked to explain why the Girard defense had such a hard time stopping him, Davidson said, “I just turning my feet and running hard. That’s all I do. I ran hard.

“As the game went on, I ran harder,” Davidson added. “We’re going to enjoy this one, but Saturday morning we’re going to be there breaking down film, learning from our mistakes.

“That’s what we want to do. We want to keep rolling.”