Fitch, three others seek perfection

October 25, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

AUSTINTOWN

Austintown Fitch is one of four area schools closing in on an undefeated season. The Falcons, along with Hubbard, Western Reserve and South Range, own 8-0 records with two games remaining in the regular season.

Fitch is seeking the school’s first undefeated season. The program has come close on a number of occasions, including five 9-1 campaigns (1982, ’83, ’86, 2004, ’12). The Falcons went 8-1 in 1966 and 1947, and 7-1 in 1946.

Fitch closes with games against Uniontown Lake (5-3) and Cardinal Mooney (5-3) — a pair of teams fighting to make the playoffs.

“Going 10-0 would be really special, because we would make school history by doing so,” said Falcons senior co-captain Ryan Sayers. “But honestly, we just focus on one game at a time. If we get there, that would be great. But our ultimate goal is to get better each week, and put ourselves in position to compete for a long playoff run.”

Hubbard has three undefeated seasons to its credit, but just one 10-0 team (2001). The Eagles went 7-0-1 in 1930 and 7-0 in 1943.

After knocking Poland from the ranks of the unbeaten last week, Hubbard will host Northwest (3-5) then visit Canfield (2-6). A win against the Cardinals would also give the Eagles an All-American Conference, American Division outright title.

“This week is big for us, because coming off the emotional win over Poland, we can’t afford a letdown against a quality opponent,” said Hubbard coach Brian Hoffman. “Our only goal right now is to win on Friday, then play for a league title in Week 10.”

Still, Hoffman acknowledged that a perfect season would be special.

“We haven’t talked about it with the kids, but I’m sure it’s on their minds,” Hoffman said. “As a coaching staff, we brought it up amongst ourselves, discussing just how difficult it is to go 10-0, and how it’s such a rare feat.

“The longer I’m in this, the more appreciation I have for any team that goes 10-0. A lot of things have to happen for any team to go undefeated.”

Of the four 8-0 area teams, Western Reserve has had the most recent undefeated season. The Devils accomplished the feat in 2011. They also went 10-0 in 1989.

Western Reserve visits Mineral Ridge tonight, then closes its season at home against Wellsville (7-1) in a game which will help decide the Inter-Tri County League title.

“Right now, we’re just trying to win a league championship, and we have two very talented opponents in our way,” said Western Reserve coach Andy Hake. “Our first goal every year is always the same — win a league title.

“If we are going to win the ITCL outright, we’re probably going to have to go 10-0. So in that regard, [going undefeated] now becomes a goal. But it’s nothing we talk about during the course of the season.”

Going undefeated would be old hat for South Range and its coach, Dan Yeagley. Under Yeagley, the Raiders have logged an astounding six 10-0 seasons (1996, 2001, ’03, ’05, ’06 and ’07). The Raiders also went 9-0 in 1992, three years prior to Yeagley’s arrival.

“It’s funny, we start the season by having to put together an 80-yard drive in the final three minutes to beat JFK,” Yeagley said. “Here we are today, talking about being 8-0.

“This team has been very business-like in its approach, and there has never been any focus on going undefeated. It’s all about the next opponent, and that’s what has helped us get to where we’re at.”

South Range closes with home games against Springfield (6-2) and Lisbon (2-6).