By tim cleveland

sports @vindy.com

WARREN

When Warren John F. Kennedy scored with 11:07 to play to pull within 20-6 of Girard Saturday night, most people would think the Eagles had at least a decent chance of coming back.

Those thoughts were emboldened when a holding penalty on the ensuing kickoff put the Indians on their own 16-yard line.

James Cupan and the Girard offense had other ideas, going 84 yards for the clinching touchdown and taking 10:24 off the clock in 19 plays. Cupan, who led Girard with 205 yards rushing and three touchdowns, had 47 yards on the march to clinch the Indians’ 27-6 victory.

“That’s something,” Girard coach Nick Cochran said. “I love it because usually we’re a throwing team. I’m happy with our line. We don’t have an old line. Our line’s young. That was pretty impressive.

“Cupe’s a hard worker. He still hasn’t reached his potential yet. He’s dedicated as far as what he does. He’s a great wrestler; he does a lot of good things for us. Hopefully he keeps on feeding off this and hopefully the kids keep rallying off of him.”

Kennedy coach Dave Pappada said his team made too many mistakes to win.

“I thought we were completely outplayed on all three phases of the football game,” he said. “Offensively, we didn’t complement our defense and vice versa. Kicking game was awful shoddy. They just completely controlled the football game.”

Cupan scored on TD runs of 2 and 3 yards in the first quarter as Girard (1-2) took a 14-0 lead, then he added a 1-yard score on the third quarter.

“They’re a good defense; we just had to read the ends and the outside backers,” Cupan said. “(Quarterback) Nick (Cardiero) made pretty good pitches and made good reads.

“Our running game was pretty good today. They had a good defense. We tried to keep it on the ground. Our line picked it up this week and we got the W.”

It was a difficult night for Kennedy (1-2). The Eagles’ special teams had a blocked punt that led to Girard’s second touchdown, a missed field goal and a botched snap on an extra point.

Kennedy quarterback Michael Roscoe had an interception and a fumble to contribute to his team’s difficulties.

“They did a good job in controlling the ball,” Pappada said. “We told them at halftime, we thought we weathered the storm. It was only 14-0 at the half. We thought we had a shot. We moved the ball sporadically offensively, then we turned it over. You can’t do that and beat any football team.”

After a humiliating 1-9 season in 2012, Girard has already matched its win total and has high hopes of continued success in 2013.

“It’s good to get a win,” Cochran said. “Any time you come out here and get a win, especially against Kennedy, it’s a good win for us.”