Unbeaten Fitch closing in on another playoff behind Annarella system

October 25, 2013 at 12:10a.m.

AUSTINTOWN

The game of football, even at the high school level, has evolved greatly over the past decade. Wide-open, highly innovative offenses and situational defenses have kept coaches tossing and turning at night as they seek ways to stay one step ahead of the competition.

Yet while some coaches lose sleep in their quest to seek answers, Austintown Fitch coach Phil Annarella takes a simpler approach, which to this point has produced successful results.

After all, according to Annarella, achieving team success isn’t rocket science.

Nope, it’s a simple case of chemistry.

Team chemistry, that is, which Annarella says is the key ingredient to the Falcons’ 8-0 start.

“I say this at the beginning of every season, the key attribute to any high school football team is its team chemistry,” Annarella said. “Back in August, we knew we had some play-makers on this team, and we have a supporting cast that is second to none. Did we have team chemistry? That’s what we needed to find out.

“This group, they want to play for each other, and they play as one unit. They don’t do anything fancy, they just play team football.”

And, they do it convincingly. The Falcons are averaging 37.9 points per game. Defensively, they have given up just 67 points, and have shut out three opponents.

“We felt good about what we had back in the summer, it was just a matter of getting things to gel and getting everyone to come together,” Annarella said. “We felt really good about ourselves when we came out of our scrimmage with Mentor, and our feelings were solidified when we beat Harding (48-0) in the opener.

“Would we continue to grow as a team and as one unit? Those were the big questions.”

Obviously, those questions have been answered in a positive fashion.

In addition to their team chemistry, the Falcons have found success in old-fashioned, smash-mouth style football. The vast majority of their offense has come via a bruising rushing attack which is averaging 334 yard per game. Quarterback Antwan Harris (106 carries, 891 yards, 15 TDs) and running back Darrin Hall (163 carries, 1,044 yards, 8 TDs) lead the charge.

In last week’s 63-7 win over Marion Harding, the Falcons used 11 different ball carriers to rush for 442 yards and nine touchdowns.

“We don’t surprise opponents with what we do,” Hall said. “We come right at them without doing anything fancy. It’s just who we are.

“That’s a credit to our offensive line. It all starts with the guys up front. They set the tone for what we do. They are the muscle behind our success.”

Like his coach, Hall then speaks of the bond which exists between him and his teammates.

“Coach is always preaching about chemistry and team unity, and he has taught us the importance of bonding together,” Hall said. “We really do stick together like brothers, on and off the field. And it doesn’t matter if you’re a senior or an underclassman. If you’re part of this team, you’re a part of who we are.”

Defensively, the Falcons’ team approach also shines through. Sam Ortz leads the squad in tackles (55), sacks (8) and fumble recoveries (4), yet he is one of 14 players to record double-digit tackles on the year.

Ortz was among the seven starters on defense who returned from last year’s squad which went 9-1.

“We knew we had a good group coming back, bu we also lost some great talent, and there are no guarantees based on last year’s success,” said Fitch defensive coordinator Walt Hurdley. “We really challenged these guys in the summer. We worked them hard, but they responded.

“Considering some of the offenses we’ve faced, it’s a little surprising what we’ve been able to accomplish defensively. But at the same time it’s not a huge surprise, because these are great kids who are very coachable and who play as a team.”

Hurdley said that today’s style of football presents weekly challenges for his troops.

“We’re facing a different look every time we line up against an opponent,” Hurdley said. “These days, offenses are so complex and they vary greatly from team to team. It takes a lot of work on the field and a lot of study off the field to prepare, but these kids, they do whatever is necessary.”

Much like the no-nonsense mindset of their coaching staff, the Falcons have taken care of opponents defensively in business-like fashion. Their approach is a reflection of the Falcons’ coaching staff, according to senior co-captain Ryan Sayers, a starter on both the offensive and defensive lines.

“We’re sort of a throwback when you compare us to other teams,” Sayers said. “Today, a lot of defenses are on their heels because of all the passing that goes on. They play a bit nervous and cautious because they are so afraid to make a mistake and get burned.

“We do a lot of blitzing. We go after the quarterback, we attack the ball. We use our speed and our aggressiveness to our advantage, and that’s a credit to our coaches who encourage us to play with passion.”

With eight wins under its belt, Fitch has already secured a playoff spot in Division I, Region 1. It now controls its own destiny in hosting a playoff game with regular-season games remaining against Uniontown Lake and Cardinal Mooney.

While fans are already anxiously looking ahead to Week 11, Annarella insists his team’s focus lies squarely on tonight’s game against the Blue Streaks.

“Look, we didn’t get to where we’re at by looking down the road,” Annarella said. “We honestly don’t spend much time savoring our last victory, and we don’t worry about who we’re playing next week or the week after that. We focus on us. We take things not just one day at a time, but one practice at a time.

“We can’t control how well or how poorly our opposition plays. We can control our effort, and that’s what we focus on every single day.”

To this point, the Falcons’ effort and focus has produced flawless results.