By Tom Williams

williams@vindy.com

AUSTINTOWN

Despite a 16-point lead with 4:45 to go, the Austintown Fitch High football team’s dream of a perfect season was on the ropes in the final seconds.

Danny Clark, Massillon’s freshman quarterback, threw two long touchdown passes to wide receiver Reggie Rogers and had the Tigers at the Fitch 10-yard line with 14 seconds to go. But the Comeback Kid lost track of the time (and his lack of timeouts).

With 14 seconds to go, Clark dropped back then took off running. Falcons linebacker Tyler Hewett stopped him well short of the goal line, time ran out and the Falcons held on for Friday’s 30-27 victory.

“Wow,” Fitch head coach Phil Annarella said of the Tigers’ comeback after trailing 30-14. “The kid threw strikes on those deep balls — he couldn’t have thrown them any better.”

On the play before Clark’s final run, the Tigers thought they had scored the go-ahead points when Clark hit Marcus Whitfield at the goal line. for a 5-yard touchdown. However, the officials ruled illegal procedure before the snap. Massillon coach Jason Hall said he was told they did not have enough players on the line.

“I did not hear the whistle and I thought they were [going to] win the game,” Fitch linebacker Sam Ortz said. “My stomach was turning ... then I saw the flag. That made it feel much better, having another chance.”

Hall said he planned to use Clark’s mistake as a learning experience.

“Danny is the reason we got back into the game, a 15-year-old kid who brought the Tigers back,” Hall said. “I love him to death.”

The Falcons (7-0) appeared to have the win sealed when quarterback Antwan Harris scored his third touchdown on a 1-yard run for a 30-14 lead.

On the Tigers’ next play, Clark hit Rogers near the sideline and he spun away from a defender for an 80-yard touchdown. Clark’s conversion run failed for a 30-20 deficit.

The Tigers’ next possession also was a one-play drive, this one covering 72 yards as Clark hit Rogers in stride. Andrew David kicked the extra point to make it a three-point game with 2:41 to go.

A three-and-out series by Fitch gave the Tigers (6-1) their last chance, starting from the Massillon 35.

“I literally felt so much joy that I actually started crying,” senior defensive end Ryan Sayers said after Clark finally was stopped.

Harris carried the ball 25 times for 164 yards. His other touchdown runs covered 60 and 12 yards.

On the Falcons’ final offensive play, Harris limped off with a right leg injury. Annarella said it doesn’t appear serious.

“It felt [so] good that I forgot about the pain,” Harris said. “That was the biggest game I ever played. We had lost to this team about 11 times straight — to beat them is the greatest feeling ever.”

The Falcons’ other touchdown was scored when wide receiver Joey Harrington caught a short pass and raced 34 yards for a 21-7 lead.

Three times in the second half, Falcons punter Nick Sheely pinned the Tigers inside the 10. Ortz and Sayers forced Clark out of the end zone for a safety that made it 23-14.

“Best game he’s had as a kicker,” Annarella said.