FALCONS BACK ON TRACK AFTER WIN AGAINST BOARDMAN

BOARDMAN, OH-Austintown Fitch got off to a strong start with a three-and-out defensive stop and then rattled off 36 straight points. Senior Dan Evans III contributed with a spectacular 79-yard punt return in the first quarter. Other scoring plays in the first half included a 2-yard run by freshman Deon’Dray Richard and two field goals of 27 and 31 yards by junior Anthony Ruggles.

Richard, who finished with two touchdowns and 115 rushing yards, stepped up after senior running back DJ Williams left the game due to injury. The Falcons’ defense played a pivotal role, limiting Boardman’s offensive opportunities, resulting in a shutout.

Boardman made several attempts at fourth-down conversions, following Evans’s punt return, but went 0-for-5 on fourth-down tries. Austintown’s defense, led by junior linebacker Rocco DiFlorio, applied pressure and held Boardman to just 87 total yards and five first downs.

Fitch applied pressure to Boardman’s quarterback, leading to a safety when he was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone. Austintown sealed the victory with a seven-yard touchdown pass from DeShawn Vaughn Jr. to sophomore Allen Hill Jr.

Fitch will now turn the page to Week 10 to take on Warren G Harding, while Boardman will finish the campaign against Canfield.