Published: Monday, September 18, 2006
Beaver Local overcomes
adversity with 21-15 win
Ethan Russell scored the winning TD on a 5-yard run with his recovered fumble.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
EAST LIVERPOOL — Even before Saturday night's showdown with arch-rival East Liverpool, the Beaver Local High football team had already faced more than its share of adversity this season.
A double-overtime loss to West Branch in Week 2 and the loss of kicker Danny Dunn to an ACL injury were among the obstacles plaguing the Beavers.
So when Beaver Local was whistled for five penalties in the early minutes of the third quarter, including a questionable one that got defensive coordinator Jim Riccardo ejected, it would have been almost understandable if the Beavers' frustration got the best of them.
But Beaver Local overcame adversity again, using two goal-line stands and a bruising rushing attack to rally past nemesis East Liverpool, 21-15, at Patterson Field.
It was a battle
"Both teams left everything they had out on this field," Beaver Local coach Rich Wright said. "I have a lot of respect for their program over there, but our seniors really played with heart tonight. It was ugly at times, but to come in here and win to go 3-1, we'll take it.
"Against that spread offense the field seems bigger, but I told the kids that once they get into the red zone, things shrink down a little bit," Wright said. "Fortunately, we came up with a couple goal-line stands and took control up front."
The Beavers (3-1) defeated the Potters (1-3) for the fifth straight time and have won seven of the last eight meetings. East Liverpool leads the overall series 15-13.
Bailey, Neville score
Beaver Local scored twice in the first half, including a 4-yard touchdown run by Kory Bailey and a 30-yard dash by Luke Neville.
East Liverpool kept things close as Jim Wood nailed a 22-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter to cut the Pottersā deficit to 13-9 at intermission.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Potters took their only lead of the game with 8:27 left. Quarterback Joey Wines bolted 4 yards for the score to give the Potters a 15-13 advantage. Beaver Local blocked the point-after kick.
The Beavers responded immediately. Quarterback Ethan Russell, who left the game late in the third quarter with a cramp in his left calf muscle, returned on the next possession.
On the first play, he raced 34 yards down to the East Liverpool 35. Two plays later, Luke Neville reeled off 12 yards to the Pottersā 5.
Russell finished things off on first down, picking up his fumble and rumbling 5 yards for the score to put Beaver back in front 19-15 with 6:22 remaining. Russell found Matthew Clutter for the two-point conversion to stretch the lead to 21-15.
Wines and the Potters had plenty of time to rally — and they almost did. On third-and-6, Wines broke through the Beaversā defense for 37 yards down to the Beaver Local 21.
He then hit Tony Metsch for 6 yards to the 15. But East Liverpool was called for holding on the next play, forcing a second-and-13. After an incomplete pass and a 6-yard completion, the Potters were faced with a fourth-and-5 at the Beavers 18.
The Beaversā defense forced an incomplete pass and took over on downs to secure the win.
Russell leads defense
Russell, who led Beaver's defense with six tackles and two passes broken up, insisted that the goal line stand was routine.
"Our backs have been against the wall on defense all season," Russell said. "We've been in two double overtimes where we had to hold every time. So stopping Liverpool on fourth down is no big deal to us.
"This means a lot because now we have bragging rights for a year. We can say we beat Liverpool."
While the Beaversā defense stood out, the offense did its share in the win. Neville had his way with the Pottersā defense, piling up 217 yards rushing on 29 carries. Beaver Local ran for 337 yards.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Ethan Russell scored the winning TD on a 5-yard run with his recovered fumble.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
EAST LIVERPOOL — Even before Saturday night's showdown with arch-rival East Liverpool, the Beaver Local High football team had already faced more than its share of adversity this season.
A double-overtime loss to West Branch in Week 2 and the loss of kicker Danny Dunn to an ACL injury were among the obstacles plaguing the Beavers.
So when Beaver Local was whistled for five penalties in the early minutes of the third quarter, including a questionable one that got defensive coordinator Jim Riccardo ejected, it would have been almost understandable if the Beavers' frustration got the best of them.
But Beaver Local overcame adversity again, using two goal-line stands and a bruising rushing attack to rally past nemesis East Liverpool, 21-15, at Patterson Field.
It was a battle
"Both teams left everything they had out on this field," Beaver Local coach Rich Wright said. "I have a lot of respect for their program over there, but our seniors really played with heart tonight. It was ugly at times, but to come in here and win to go 3-1, we'll take it.
"Against that spread offense the field seems bigger, but I told the kids that once they get into the red zone, things shrink down a little bit," Wright said. "Fortunately, we came up with a couple goal-line stands and took control up front."
The Beavers (3-1) defeated the Potters (1-3) for the fifth straight time and have won seven of the last eight meetings. East Liverpool leads the overall series 15-13.
Bailey, Neville score
Beaver Local scored twice in the first half, including a 4-yard touchdown run by Kory Bailey and a 30-yard dash by Luke Neville.
East Liverpool kept things close as Jim Wood nailed a 22-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter to cut the Pottersā deficit to 13-9 at intermission.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Potters took their only lead of the game with 8:27 left. Quarterback Joey Wines bolted 4 yards for the score to give the Potters a 15-13 advantage. Beaver Local blocked the point-after kick.
The Beavers responded immediately. Quarterback Ethan Russell, who left the game late in the third quarter with a cramp in his left calf muscle, returned on the next possession.
On the first play, he raced 34 yards down to the East Liverpool 35. Two plays later, Luke Neville reeled off 12 yards to the Pottersā 5.
Russell finished things off on first down, picking up his fumble and rumbling 5 yards for the score to put Beaver back in front 19-15 with 6:22 remaining. Russell found Matthew Clutter for the two-point conversion to stretch the lead to 21-15.
Wines and the Potters had plenty of time to rally — and they almost did. On third-and-6, Wines broke through the Beaversā defense for 37 yards down to the Beaver Local 21.
He then hit Tony Metsch for 6 yards to the 15. But East Liverpool was called for holding on the next play, forcing a second-and-13. After an incomplete pass and a 6-yard completion, the Potters were faced with a fourth-and-5 at the Beavers 18.
The Beaversā defense forced an incomplete pass and took over on downs to secure the win.
Russell leads defense
Russell, who led Beaver's defense with six tackles and two passes broken up, insisted that the goal line stand was routine.
"Our backs have been against the wall on defense all season," Russell said. "We've been in two double overtimes where we had to hold every time. So stopping Liverpool on fourth down is no big deal to us.
"This means a lot because now we have bragging rights for a year. We can say we beat Liverpool."
While the Beaversā defense stood out, the offense did its share in the win. Neville had his way with the Pottersā defense, piling up 217 yards rushing on 29 carries. Beaver Local ran for 337 yards.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Even before Saturday night's showdown with arch-rival East Liverpool, the Beaver Local High football team had already...
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