Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes
Fitch freshman Deon’Dray Richard breaks two defenders during a 35-yard score in the first half over Central Valley (PA). The Falcons surrendered a late score in a 36-35 defeat.
AUSTINTOWN — If Friday evening was an opportunity for the Mahoning Valley to prove itself against one of Pennsylvania’s best programs, then Austintown Fitch took that chance with stride.
Although as it turned out, taking down one of the best from across the border was easier said than done, as the Warriors mettle was tested, but not broken. They came back to knock off the Falcons 36-35 on a gutsy two-point call with 13 seconds remaining, spoiling the christening of the new home bleachers.
Central Valley competes in the WPIAL and Pennsylvania’s Class AAAA, and is now 39-2 since 2020.
“The team never quit, they never backed down, and we knew that coming in. A lot of respect for that program, and what they do. We just didn’t finish, period,” Fitch coach TJ Parker said. “I’d have to watch the film and really pinpoint it. I knew they started breaking off a couple of runs, in terms of that, the offense gave the ball over too quick, but we didn’t finish drives.”
“We had our opportunities plenty of times and plenty of times we didn’t finish and take advantage of them.”
Down 7-0 early, senior Davion Pritchard has a response of his own, returning a kickoff to the house. The point after was no good, but momentum swayed back into the Falcons’ favor throughout much of the first half, scoring 20 consecutive points.
Following back-to-back three and outs on defense, Fitch took the lead with a 5-yard scamper by senior DJ Williams. Freshman Deon’Dray Richard recorded the second score of his young varsity career on a 35-yard run that saw at least four defenders evaded with a dive toward the pylon to wrap up the scoring play.
Over the rest of the first half, the Fitch (1-1) defense remained stout, which included multiple three and outs and an interception by senior Dan Evans III.
Central Valley (1-0) replied during the third quarter, pitching a three and out on the Falcons initial drive, following that up with a two-yard score by Jance Henry. Both squads traded failed attempts on their ensuing possessions, but Williams found paydirt on a run for his second score of the evening.
Later in the fourth, now only leading 27-21, Williams and Richard kept eating time off the clock, with Williams finding the end zone for the third time. That was followed by a two-point completion to Allen Hill Jr. Central Valley once more replied with a 81-yard touchdown run, proving to be a pesky team to gain distance from all evening.
The Warriors defense held Fitch off the board during the final 8:16 of the game, eventually placing themselves in position for a game-winning drive. Freshman Donte Nastick caught the pass to put Central Valley to within one, and junior Mason Dixon trotted in for the two-point conversion past a slew of Falcons defenders.
A series of laterals followed, but the final lateral soared out of bounds.
If it was a boxing match, then Central Valley just kept having one more punch.
“That’s the sign of a great program. They’re never defeated, they’re never down and they showed that tonight. When we thought we had them and we thought we could step on them, they just made play after play. Great high school football game that unfortunately we came out on the wrong end,” Parker said.
When it all boils down to it, the heartbreaking feeling Fitch experienced never comes at an opportune time, but the lessons learned in Week 2 pay off come late October.
“It’s got to burn for them. They have to feel it in their pits, they got to know we have to get better, we have to be focused so things like this don’t happen again,” Parker said.
