John F. Kennedy Eagles Take Down Springfield Tigers 13-6

Photo by Andrew Ryan

It felt like mid-September on November 4th in Northeast Ohio for the Regional Quarterfinal game between the Springfield Tigers and the John F. Kennedy Eagles.

First half

The Eagles defense stood tall on the opening drive forcing a Springfield punt that pinned Kennedy inside their 15-yard line. Kennedy would push the ball into Tiger territory, but the drive stalled at the Springfield 47-yard line. The Eagles then forced a Springfield 3 and out on the ensuing possession. Kennedy was given good field position at their own 47. Kennedy would use the ground game to drive 63 yards. The drive was capped by Antonio Smith scoring from 5 yards out. We are just into the second quarter with JFK leading 7 – 0.

The following JFK possession saw the Eagles bat themselves. A personal foul penalty then a fumble on the next play set the Springfield up at the JFK 30-yard line with under 7 minutes left in the 1st half. Springfield would get on the board when quarterback Kolten Ruark hit Seandelle Gardner who made a great one-handed catch in the endzone from about 30 yards out. The extra point was missed. Kennedy – 7, Springfield – 6. That is how the first half would end.

Second half

JFK started the 3rd quarter with the ball and again relied on their ground game. 6 minutes into the quarter, Aidan Rossi broke free on 48-yard touchdown run, but it was called back on a holding penalty. The penalty would end up not hurting the Eagles. They kept possession for all but 30 seconds of the 3rd quarter. Caleb Hadley punched it in from a yard out to end a near 12-minute drive. Kennedy very surprisingly attempted a 2-point conversion trying to make it a two-score game but failed. Kennedy- 13, Springfield- 6.

The 2-point conversion seemed to halt Kennedy’s momentum, as the Tigers took the ensuing kickoff down to the Eagle 24-yard line. Springfield looks energized. The JFK defense would hold the energized Springfield team, but JFK was aided by a drive-killing unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Springfield. JFK takes over at their own 16 leading 13-6 and would drive to the Springfield 33-yard line, but a fumble by Eagles running back Antonio Smith short-circuited the drive and the Tigers take over. Springfield would return the favor, however, as quarterback Kolten Ruark fumbled at the JFK 37. Eagles take over with 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter.

Springfield’s defense forced a punt and gave the Tigers one final shot with just over 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Springfield began their final drive inside their own 10-yard line. The Tigers put together an impressive drive to get deep into JFK territory, but on 4th down with under 10 seconds left, Springfield’s season ended. The Eagle defense was stingy all night and it was fitting they were on field to end the game as Kennedy punched their ticket to the Regional Semifinals.

Springfield’s defense played well only giving up 13 points. The offense flashed at times but couldn’t string together enough positive plays to sustain drives and finish with points. The same can be said for JFK. The Eagles game plan was certainly a run heavy approach. Too much so at times. If not for the superb effort by the JFK defense, this game could have easily gone the other direction.