Warren JFK Shut Down Rootstown 33-0

Photo by Andrew Ryan

We are coming down the stretch of the High School football season in Northeast Ohio. It’s late September and it feels like it. Definitely football weather tonight as the #1 ranked Division VII team, the 5-1 John F. Kennedy Eagles take on the 5-1 Rootstown Rovers.

First half

The first score of the game came on JFK’s first possession after forcing a Rootstown punt. Eagles quarterback Caleb Hadley avoided pressure, scrambled to his left, and hit Aidan Rossi uncovered down the sidelines for a 61-yard touchdown. After 2 consecutive Rootstown offsides penalties on the extra point attempt, the Eagles went for 2 and were successful. A Rovers busted coverage and 2 penalties cost them 8 points. 8:08 left in the 1st quarter with Kennedy leading 8-0.

Both teams traded 3 and outs, but as the 1st quarter came to a close, the Rovers converted on a 4th and 1 and drove themselves into Kennedy territory. The drive would stall, but on the ensuing possession, the Rootstown defense would come up big, forcing the first turnover of the night. Nick Malek intercepted Kennedy quarterback Caleb Hadley. The Rovers set up shop at the Eagles 41. The Rootstown offense, however, could not capitalize. The Kennedy defense forced 2 negative plays and stopped Rootstown on 4th and 18.

Rootstown would return the favor on the following drive. The Eagles would fail on a 4th and 1 from the Rovers’ 5-yard line. A quick 3 and out forced by the Kennedy defense gave the Eagles a final chance with less than 2 minutes left in the 2nd quarter. The offense wouldn’t get a chance. Freshman wide receiver Devonte Taylor returned the Rootstown punt 45 yards for a touchdown. JFK filed on its 2-point conversion attempt. The 1st half would end with the Eagles pitching a shutout 14-0.

Second half

The second possession of the second half produced the second turnover of the game. Rootstown quarterback Luke DeAngelis was picked off by Thomas Valent. The play was originally a pick 6 but was called back to the Rovers 30-yard line due to a block in the back penalty. It took 3 plays for JFK to March 30 yards. The drive was capped off by a 20-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Hadley to LaMarcus Provitt. The extra point was no good. Kennedy 20, Rootstown 0 with 4 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.

The Eagles would put this game away late in the 3rd quarter on a Caleb Hadley 18-yard touchdown run. Making the score JFK 27, Rootstown-0. Kennedy would tack on another touchdown late in the 4th quarter making the final score JFK- 33 Rootstown- 0. The Eagles complete the shutout.

Both teams came into tonight at 5-1, but only JFK looked like a 5-1 team. Rootstown looked overmatched and sloppy all night. Turnovers and penalties doomed the Rovers, but I’m not sure the game would have been close even if Rootstown had played a cleaner game. Kennedy was that dominant and showed they are deserving of the #1 ranking in Division VII in Ohio.