FALCONS DEFENSE FLYING HIGH IN POSTSEASON PLAY

By Ty Bartell

 

AUSTINTOWN, OH — The Austintown-Fitch Falcons defeated the Mayfield Wildcats 31-7 in their first-round playoff matchup, marking just the second meeting between the two schools. The Falcons took an early lead in the first quarter with Deon’Dray Richard’s 8-yard rushing touchdown, with Anthony Ruggles adding the extra point to go up 7-0. Mayfield quickly responded as JD Sega returned a fumble 99 yards for a score, tying the game at 7-7 with 1:47 left in the quarter.

In the second quarter, Richard broke free for a 62-yard touchdown run to put the Falcons back in front, 14-7. Ruggles extended the lead to 17-7 with a 30-yard field goal before halftime.

Fitch widened the margin in the third quarter with a trick play, as Brady Evans lateraled to Isiah Porch for a 45-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 24-7. Christian Mahone capped off the scoring with a 1-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter, securing the 31-7 win for Fitch.

With the victory, the Falcons (8-3) advance to face the Warren Harding Raiders (8-3) in the next round, looking to avenge their recent regular-season loss to Harding. It will be the third time the two teams will meet in the last five years with each team having a win over the other in their two prior playoff matchups and the 38th meeting overall, with Fitch currently edging the series 19-18.