Preview: KC, coming off win over Lakeview, hosts Sharpsville on Saturday
Oct. 7—While it was many years in the making it was well worth the wait — and effort — for Kennedy Catholic High's football program.
The Golden Eagles enjoyed the 1st win since 2012 — last week's upset of Lakeview in Stoneboro. In outlasting Lakeview (18-15), KC Coach John Reay's Golden Eagles ended a lengthy winless skein.
According to archives at The Herald, Kennedy Catholic captured its last win during the 3rd week of the 2012 season — 18-13 at Mercer. Seven consecutive setbacks followed. Then the 2013 Golden Eagles' edition went winless (0-10) before the program was suspended until last year. The Golden Eagles ended 0-7 during 2020's pandemic-plagued campaign, then this season's squad dropped its first 4 games — a span of 28 straight.
"For sure, it was huge for this year's players and for the players that did not come out to see that the new and improved Kennedy Catholic football program is taking strides in the right direction," Reay remarked. "And by winning ... (it) will make (players) want to believe even more in the process of what we are trying to bring."
Saturday's Game
Sharpsville (1-2, 3-3) at Kennedy Catholic (1-3, 1-4)
1 p.m., Butala Stadium
KC trailed Lakeview last week in Stoneboro before rallying.
Reay cited Simeir Wade (17-carry, 121-yard, 1-TD rushing performance, plus 5-for-8 passing for another 137 yards and a score). Wade collaborated with Blaze Campbell 4 times for 99 yards and 2 TDs (13, 40). Wade's air waves also went to Sean Yeager and Jermaine Dunlap for drive-sustaining 1st downs. The Golden Eagles ended with 206 yards rushing led by Wade, Ike Friday (11 for 59) and Kole Tarary (8 for 26).
Defensively, Wade pilfered a pair of passes. Also, Tarary's 11 solo tackles (plus 9 assists) keyed Kennedy, while Campbell contributed 9 solos and 7 assists.
"We are very young," Reay noted. "Last week Simeir Wade, a sophomore, carried the team to victory with around 250 all-purpose yards. ... Our offensive line has come a long way. With all five starters being sophomores they were a big part of our running game. ... and one of four juniors we have returning next season, Blaze Campbell, also was a big contributor catching both touchdown passes. ... and he made at least four or five big tackles on defense to shut down Lakeview in the second half. Senior Kole Tarary led the team," Reay praised. "Also, freshman Ike Friday.
"I could definitely name all 13 of my players that dressed (last) Friday and helped contribute to this win!" Reay said. "Even our kicker, Aidan Churlik — who also is a star soccer player for Kennedy — added four big-time punts, two of them being from the back of our end zone.
"We have 16 players on the roster — with two being suspended and one injured (last) Friday — giving us 13 players dressed (including Churlik)," Reay explained. "I couldn't be more proud of this core of players that have stuck together through this tough battle the last five weeks. and definitely our one and only senior that has been here since the program was rebuilt — Kole Tarary — on being able to experience a win as a Golden Eagle."
Sharpsville suffered its 2nd straight setback as the Blue Devils were defeated as Wilmington (28-27) shocked Sharpsville. The Greyhounds erased a 21-7 halftime deficit.
The loss overshadowed Caullin Summers' 16-for-31, 276-yard, 4-TD passing performance. He collaborated with Garen Levis for 44-, 35-, 18-, and 7-yard scoring strikes, staking Sharpsville to a 21-0 2nd-stanza lead. Levis latched onto 9 passes for 175 yards.
"This Saturday is also our 'Senior Day,'" Reay said. Regarding KC's past rivalry with Sharpsville, he emphasized, "As of now we are not paying attention to any past rivalries; we are just concentrating on building and getting better as a unit and getting wins. Once we start beating teams, then we will discuss rivals," Reay continued. "Right now we are just getting ready to play another top contender in the Mercer County area and to keep competing as a team for the bigger picture.
"But it definitely feels good to finally get that one win for the program and this group of kids (all of whom, except Tarary, will be returning next season)," Reay continued. "We've got three top teams left and we know how small we are, but we will definitely be there to give it our all against them.
"It was definitely a team win and that's all we need to do — stick together through this time and we will come out of it very soon," Reay concluded.
Friday's Games
(All Games begin 7 p.m.)
Hickory (2-1, 4-2) at Slippery Rock (2-0, 4-0)
This is a rematch of last season's D-10 semifinals, won by Hickory (51-0).
The Hornets have harvested a 3-game win skein, outscoring Conneaut, Mercyhurst Prep and Titusville by an aggregate 152-34 differential. Last week Logan Woods went for 203 yards passing, including 38- and 30-yard TD tosses to Jackson Pryts and an 80-yarder to Rarmarion Whitehead.
The Hornets had 496 yards in toppling Titusville, including Keenan Scullin's 54-yard scoring sprint, Sean Kennedy's 14-yarder, and Ty Holland's 8-yard TD reception from Woods.
With 2,163 career receiving yards Whitehead became the program's all-time leader.
Because Slippery Rock has had 2 games canceled due to opponents' COVID-19 issues, the Rockets have flown under the radar. However Slippery Rock has rolled over Clarion, Sharpsville, Grove City and Ohio's Conneaut by a composite 156-38 differential.
In last week's 49-14 rout, Brett Galcik gained a career-best 132 yards rushing and William "Zip" Mokel manufactured 198 yards passing, including 25-, 9- and 88-yard scoring strikes to John Sabo (4 catches, 164 yards, or 41 yards/catch). Also for Coach Larry Wendereusz, Ryan Montgomery motored 15 yards for the game's initial score, then closed out the contest with a 49-yard Pick-Six.
LaBrae (3-1, 6-1) at Brookfield (3-0, 5-1)
In the preseason bench boss Randy Clark confided that LaBrae has become Brookfield's rival in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Division. A year ago the Warriors won in Leavittsburg in the season's 2nd week (35-7). However the Vikings vindicated themselves as LaBrae outlasted Brookfield (55-54) at George Nicholas Field in the Ohio High School Athletic Assn. Division VI Region 21 second-round playoffs.
According to this week's OHSAA computer rankings, LaBrae and Brookfield are ranked 11th and 20th, respectively, in Division VI.
The Vikings vanquished Crestview (34-13) in New Waterford last week. LaBrae also inflicted losses on Cortland-Lakeview (40-0), Valley Christian (41-21), Keystone (38-0), Champion (54-21) and Newton Falls (38-0); however, Garrettsville-Garfield's G-men gave LaBrae its lone loss (35-14). Unbeaten and state-ranked Garfield (7-0, 10th in OHSAA Division V) leads the MVAC Grey Division.
Dual-threat QB Aidan Stephens and speedsters Tre'Von Drake and Devin Carter lead LaBrae. According to The (Youngstown) Vindicator, in last week's win Stephens (15) and Drake (77) vaulted the Vikes to an early 13-0 edge with TD runs. Stephens added another score after Crestview had closed to within 13-6.
"That's what good teams do. You don't allow the opposition to seize the momentum and capitalize on your mistakes," LaBrae Head Coach John Armeni told The Vindicator. "You dig your heels in and stop them."
Stephens sprinted 12 yards in the 4th, while closer Carter contributed a 43-yard TD run.
Last week the Warriors went for 496 yards in dominating Newton Falls (41-7). Donovan Pawlowski passed for 323 yards — on 20-for-28 accuracy — and ran for another 103. He tossed TDs of 30, 26 and 22 yards, respectively, to David Pawlowski, Isaiah Jones and Xzavier Witherow, and also rushed for 16- and 5-yard TDs.
During the Warriors' 4-game win streak they have outscored Berlin-Western Reserve, Campbell Memorial, Crestview and Newton Falls by a composite 154-32 differential.
Greenville (3-3, 3-3) at Reynolds (2-1, 3-2)
Coach Brian Herrick's Trojans have triumphed over Kennedy Catholic (50-14) and Mercer (28-7) the past 2 weeks. The theme has been Greenville's ground game — 366 yard versus KC, and 294 against Mercer — led by Levi Swartz. Last week Swartz (96 yards, including 1- and 8-yard TD runs) and Malachi Hyde (93 yards), as well as Aden Sasala (2-yard TD run) led the Trojans. Also, the pitch-catch combo of Jalen Ritzert and Jase Herrick resurfaced, combining for a 48-yard scoring strike.
Reynolds roared back from a loss at Conneaut, Ohio as the Raiders rolled over Saegertown (54-28).
Another rampaging running back is the Raiders' Jalen Wagner, who went for 185 yards, including 32-, 64- and 41-yard scoring sprints. Also for Coach Josh Mull's minions, Haydin McLaughlin mustered 145 markers, including 65- and 44-yard TD runs, and Ashton Small scored on a 48-yard Pick-Six and 32-yard pass from Brayden McCloskey. Reynolds rang up 566 total yards and coerced Saegertown into multiple miscues.
Grove City (2-1, 4-2) at Titusville (0-1, 2-2)
Last week the Eagles erupted during the 2nd half for their 2nd straight win at Sharon's Tiger Stadium. Leading 12-6, Grove City coerced 5 Sharon turnovers during the game's final 24-plus minutes en route to a 32-13 victory — their 1st road win of the year and 2nd straight overall this season.
Grove City's ground game was paced by Curtis Hovis' 26-carry, 210-yard, 2-TD performance. The Eagles ended with 388 yards rushing and 479 total, as Hunter Hohman had 73 yards rushing and 91 passing, including a 39-yard TD toss to Joey Hathaway.
Last week Titusville was tattooed by Hickory (56-7).
Conneaut (1-3, 3-4) at Sharon (1-1, 4-2)
Grove City snapped Sharon's 3-game win skein last week (32-13), as 5 Tigers' turnovers told the tale. One Tigers' highlight was Jayveeth White's 64-yard scoring sprint, which drew the Tigers within 25-13 on the 4th frame's 1st play.
The Ohio-based Spartans have lost to Grove City (42-20), Hickory (41-14), and Slippery Rock (49-14), but routed Reynolds (42-22). In last week's loss to Slippery Rock Zack Rice ran for 19- and 6-yard TDs and Kiefer Mandagelo completed 8 of 17 passes for 189 yards, but had one pilfered. He and Rice ran for 59 and 53 yards, respectively, but Slippery Rock rolled up 336 total yards and coerced Conneaut into 4 turnovers.
Lakeview (0-4. 1-4) at Mercer (1-3, 2-3)
Since a season-opening win, Lakeview has lost 4 consecutive contests (Greenville, Farrell, Wilmington, Kennedy Catholic) by a combined 179-58 margin. Similarly, Mercer has dropped 3 of 4 (Farrell, Reynolds, Greenville) by a 127-35 differential.
In last week's loss to Greenville the Mustangs managed just 200 total yards. Logan Turton tallied the lone TD on a 12-yard toss from Ethan Wiley.
Farrell (4-0, 4-0) at Wilmington (4-0, 4-1)
Will be previewed in Friday's edition of The Herald.
