2009 Week #2 in the ITCL
"Clippers Over-Power the Bears"
Leetonia - The Columbiana Clippers leaned upon it's huge offensive and defensive lines to wear out the Leetonia Bears 21-7. Unofficially the Clips accumulated 327 yards rushing on the night, including 125 by sophomore quarterback Austin Barbato.
The Bears drew first blood in the game as they use a reverse pass as receiver Cody Stokes hit Seth McNally for a 49-yard touchdown pass. However, the Clippers answered right back as they drove 71 yards on 6 plays as Jeff Davidson rumbled in from 5 yards to tie the contest at 7-7.
Late in the first quarter the Clippers added to their lead as Barbato scampered into the endzone from 20-yards out to put them up 14-7 with just 23 seconds left in the quarter. The Clippers would threaten twice more before the half, but were turned away by the Bears stingy defense.
In the second half, coach Spaite would go to the power I as the Clippers tried to wear out the stubborn Bear defensive unit. Finally, with just 1:49 left in the game, the Clippers added a 1-yard plunge by Davidson to close the scoring.
The Clippers threaten early in the fourth quarter, but were turned away on downs at the Bears 10-yard line. They would also fumble on two other drives in Leetonia territory before the final touchdown.
"Hill Leads Rebels to Second Win"
Crestview - The Rebels used numerous players as they dominated the Brookfield Warriors of the All-American Conference. Carter Hill played an outstanding game as he has assumed the leadership role from his brother and distributed the well to his backs and receivers to lead the Rebels potent offense. The Rebels have now outscored their opponents 105 to 19.
"Quakers Thump the Eagles"
By Thomas Burton
Salem - After a disappointing loss in week one against Minerva, United looked to rebound against the Salem Quakers and former Western Reserve coach Mike Kopachy.
The night started rather well for the Eagles as they jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead. The Eagles forced turnovers on the Quakers' first three offensive possesions, but the highlights ended there. Salem answered with 62 unanswered points until a late safety which resulted in a 62-16 final score.
While Coach Kopachy seems to have turned around the Salem program, United will look to rebound next week against a scrappy Rootstown squad.
Tonight the Clippers won a brutal, drag-out fight against Leetonia 21-7, while Crestview blew away a Brookfield squad 54-13, East Palestine beat a very good Mogadore Field team 27-24, and Mineral Ridge bounced back to win against an outstanding LaBrae team 20-7. Both the Blue Devils of McDonald and Western Reserve continued to roll tonight as McDonald beat Windham 42-6, and Western Reserve hammered Western Reserve Academy 42-0.
Some other big wins tonight included the Sebring Trojans winning their first game of the year, and for coach Brophy, as they beat Southington 13-12,while Springfield beat Youngstown Christian 40-12, Southern won a grueling 14-7 contest against Lisbon, and Wellsville survived a 15-14 game against Toronto via a missed extra point by the Red Knights.
Unfortunately a few ITCL teams suffered disappointing losses in week #2. United jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but then watched Salem storm back to win 62-16. South Range gave up a late touchdown to Independence to lose a heart-breaking 27-20 contest, while Jackson-Milton also lost a close game to Rootstown 10-0, and Lowellville suffered their second set-back as they fell to Tuscarawas Central Catholic 28-7.
Next week will conclude the non-conference portion of the ITCL schedule. With that some schools will enter league play with momentum, while others will try to start the "new" season off with a re-newed focus. Whatever the case, it is sure to provide area fans with some great high school football.