Fitch defenders shut down East comeback

By Tom Williams

williams@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The East High School football team responded to Fitch’s first big play in stunning fashion.

On the Panthers’ second play from scrimmage (fourth overall in Saturday’s game), running back Leon Bell escaped the Falcons defense for a 58-yard touchdown run.

That was the last time the Panthers stung the Falcons as a swarming defense and strong special teams play led Fitch (3-2) to a 38-6 victory at Rayen Stadium.

Senior linebacker Zach Krohn, who had one of the Falcons’ three interceptions, called the win “extremely important” coming off last week’s 35-0 loss to Warren Harding.

“It’s going to boost our confidence,” said Krohn, noting the Falcons travel to Massillon (3-2) on Friday. “Our defense really stepped it up when we needed it to.”

On the Falcons’ second play from scrimmage, quarterback Nate Fowler found wide receiver J.C. Mikovich alone behind the Panthers secondary. Mikovich caught Fowler’s pass at the East 30 and raced to end zone for a 55-yard touchdown and 7-0 lead.

Bell’s long run sliced the lead to one — the Panthers’ conversion run was stopped behind the line of scrimmage.

“These guys always play us tough,” Fitch head coach Phil Annarella said.

The Panthers created a three-and-out series and later forced the Falcons to punt after they had the ball second-and-7 at the East 22.

But the Panthers’ good fortune evaporated late in the first quarter. Lined up to punt, Bell was sacked on the East 7. Two plays later, Randy Smith scored from the 3, the first of his two first-half touchdowns.

“It was a bad loss for us last week, so getting back on the winning track is huge for us,” said Smith who finished with 83 yards on 22 carries. “We’ve got to get ready and go get Massillon next week.”

On the first play of the second quarter, the Falcons lost quarterback Thomas Steele to a rib injury after a 14-yard run. East head coach Jerron Jenkins said Steele bruised his ribs and was not sure how long he’ll need to recover.

”He fell on the ball,” Jenkins said.

On the next fourth down, Mikovich intercepted Jonathan Graham’s deep pass attempt to set up the Falcons’ 60-yard, 10-play scoring drive capped by Smith’s 11-yard run.

In the final minute of the first half, the Falcons opened up a 24-6 lead when Dylan Correia kicked a 32-yard field goal.

“We came back after they scored, but then they did a good job [stopping us] after that,” Jenkins said.

The Falcons weren’t through as Krohn recovered the kickoff at the East 22. Correia tried a 40-yard field goal that would have been his career longest, but the attempt was wide right.

Annarella credited defensive coordinator Wally Hurdley’s schemes for the Falcons’ success in the second quarter.

“The kids did what they are supposed to today,” Annarella said. “When that works, we’re OK.”

On the opening drive of the second half, the Panthers drove into Fitch territory but were stopped when Willie Beverly recovered a fumbled long snap at midfield. Six plays later, Fowler scored on a 6-yard run for a 25-point lead.

Fowler completed 7 of 11 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

For the Panthers (1-4), Mike Ramey caught four passes for 85 yards.