"The Rockets Continue to Roll"
Lowellville - The weather was nasty, the field was muddy, but the Lowellville Rockets used an opportunistic defense to capitalize on Wellsville mistakes to continue their winning streak by beating Wellsville 20-8.
Wellsville would grab the early momentum as they would score on the second play of the game when Jeremy Carter would race around right end for 56-yards to put the Tigers up 8-0. However, Lowellville would almost make it an instant re-play when they would also score on their second play from scrimmage. This time it was quarterback Evan Fillip running the ball 59-yards for a touchdown. A missed extra point would make the score 8-6 in favor of the Tigers with still 10:14 remaining in the first quarter.
After the fast start both teams would settle down a little bit as they exchanged possessions. However, early in the second quarter Jeremy Carter would be sacked and fumble the ball allowing the Rockets lineman Bryan Seidita to rumble down the Lowellville sideline 65-yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion gave the Rockets a 14-8 lead.
Two possessions later Wellsville would be faced with a punt at the Lowellville 46-yard line. They would snap the ball to Carter in the up-man position in the punt formation. Carter would come up short of the first down marker and turn the ball back over to the Rockets.
The Rockets would make them pay as they would have a 40-yard run by Geno Tkach to the Tigers 13-yard line on the next play. Two plays later Fillip would run the ball in to give the Rockets a commanding 20-8 lead.
In the second half the Tigers would threaten twice, but would be turned away by an outstanding defensive effort lead by sophomore lineman Bryan Schiraldi. Schiraldi would harass and sack Carter on a couple occassions as the Tigers would not be able to put any points on the scoreboard in the second half.
Carter would lead the Tigers with 165 rushing yards on the night and 1 touchdown. Fillip would finish the evening with 108 yards rushing for the Rockets and two touchdowns.
A special thank you to the Lowellville staff for allowing us to stay dry in their pressbox.
The Mineral Ridge Rams did what many thought was impossible as they beat the Crestview Rebels 15-13 in a game that went right down to the wire. The win keeps the Rams playoff hopes alive, while also throwing a real monkey wrench in the ITCL Upper Tier standings.
Not to be outdone, Springfield beat East Palestine 35-6 in game that is surprising not neccessarily by the Tigers winning, but by the score. A tremendous effort by the Tigers.
Lowellville's win may look like an upset based on the team records, but the Rockets are growing and getting better each week as they downed the Wellsville Tigers 20-8. The win keeps the Rockets in a second place tie with Western Reserve as the Devils squeaked by Leetonia 3-0.
Congratulations to the McDonald Blue Devils as they have clinched at least a share of the ITCL Lower Tier with a rugged 14-7 win over a tough Southern team. A win next week would give the Devils back-to back undefeated league championships. A great feat for the Devils program.
In other action, Columbiana was able to get past the Lisbon Blue Devils 28-0, while United shutout South Range in what could be a little surprising 33-0. Jackson-Milton picked up their second win of the year as they were able to get past the Sebring Trojans 12-0 to round out action from around the league.
With so many upsets in the ITCL, and from around the state for that matter, it will be interesting to see where all the ITCL teams sit in the playoff picture. Certainly Joe Eitel's web site will be in demand by many coahes and fans to see where their team lays. We will bring you as much of the senarios and action next week as week #10 in the ITCL looks to be enticing.