ONE MORE TO GO; EAGLES PUNCH TICKET TO CANTON
ORVILLE, OH – Warren JFK and Newark have crossed paths two times in the past two years, both grabbing a win in their respective games. For the third year in a row, they meet in the state semi-finals, looking to head back to the State Championship game in Canton. It was a hard-nosed battle in the trenches for both sides of the ball, but a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown with under a minute to go sealed the deal for the Eagles with a score of 21-7 over the Green Wave to punch their ticket to Canton.
The first half consisted of two run-heavy offenses. Miller Hutchinson of Newark Catholic completed 6 of his 19 passes in the first half for 46 yards while Caleb Hadley of Warren JFK spent more time on the ground than in the air, only attempting two passes. The biggest play in the first half was the only score of the half, which was a 62-yard run from Antonio Smith with 2:45 remaining in the first quarter. The biggest play for the Green Wave was a Hutchinson to Cooper Fink completion for 32 yards, but the drive ended four plays later when Newark Catholic settled for a punt.
The second half started slow-moving until Hadley connected with Aidan Rossi for a 46-yard catch with 5:36 remaining in the 3rd quarter. Newark Catholic was able to bounce back and turn the Eagles over on downs to get the ball back. With their next possession, Newark Catholic went 77 yards down the field in 6 plays to put up their first score of the game. Hutchinson tossed a touchdown pass to Grant Moore from 14 yards out with 1:39 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Warren JFK had many opportunities to cause a turnover but came to no avail. However, with 9:32 remaining in the 4th quarter, Smith jumped in front of a Green Wave receiver and picked off Hutchinson to set his team up on the 10-yard line. Warren JFK reached the endzone with a 1-yard Hadley QB sneak after four plays, making it 14-7. The Blue Storm defense held strong against the passing attack from the Green Wave. Multiple big tackles came from Ambrose Hoso and Thomas Valent. With 2:47 remaining, Newark Catholic needed a solid drive down the field to help tie up the game, but off of the first pass, Hoso intercepted the ball and got it back for the Eagles on the opposing 43-yard line. The Green Wave had one last shot to tie the game with 1:30 remaining, but the Eagles’ defense forced a turnover with a big tackle on Hutchinson to knock the ball loose, and Marcus Komora returned the fumble for a touchdown from 34 yards out. This made the score 21-7, and one last interception from Antonio Smith sealed the deal.
Newark Catholic finishes their season 11-2 and Warren JFK will compete against New Bremen next week in Canton for the Division VII State Championship title. This will be their second state appearance in three years.
*Contributed By YSN’s Dom O’Brien
