Published Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1997
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Grove City running back Anthony Errera is congratulated by lineman Chris Reiber (65) after an outstanding play by Errera. Errera rushed for 120 yards to lead the Eagles past Titusville, 22-20, in a District 10 AAA semifinal clash. (Jean Neice/Herald)
TEAM OF THE MONTH: Grove City football
Surprising Eagles have been on a big roll
By Brad Isles
Herald Sports Writer
After beginning the season 0-2, the Grove City football team has put together a streak of seven wins in its last eight games, including three consecutive to close the regular season and the most recent, a 22-20 thrilling victory over Titusville in the District 10 semifinals.
The Eagles also did what no football team from Grove City had done since 1969 _ win a league title. The Eagles accomplished that goal with a 22-6 victory over Slippery Rock.
For winning that league crown and advancing to the District 10 AAA championship game, the Grove City football team has been chosen as The Herald Sports Extra's Male Team of the Month.
The 7-3 record may not be as sparkling as some others around the area. But take away losses to the No. 1 and No. 7 Class AA teams in the state, Wilmington and Sharon, and the Eagles would be 7-1. In fact, a 56-0 loss to the Greyhounds is the only blemish on GC's slate the last seven weeks.
Grove City's wins also may not be blowouts. In fact, in their seven victories, the Eagles are outscoring their opponents by less than 11 points.
For the season, Grove City is averaging 18.4 points per game, while opponents are scoring 18.3. But take away the loss to Wilmington and the 25-14 loss to Sharon and the Eagles are scoring 10 more points than they are allowing.
``We have not exactly played great football,'' said first-year coach Jeff Bell. ``Our kids have played the games and have hung in there and played tough. They figured out how to win the games.''
Bell said the team's 15-12 victory over Brookville in the fifth week turned the season around.
``That was a game where we didn't play exceptionally well,'' he said. ``We were playing a good team. The kids hung in there and overcame a lot of adversity. That's the first time since I've been here that we didn't play well but we were still able to win the game.
``I think that gave the kids confidence _ that confidence in the coaching staff. We came up with some big plays that enabled us to win, even though we didn't play well. I think now they have confidence in us as coaches.''
The team also has confidence in the conditioning program Bell implemented when he took over the program during the summer.
``The kids looked at the conditioning program as `here we go again with this conditioning. We're spending so much time with it,' '' Bell said. ``(The Brookville game) finally made them believe what we were doing conditioning-wise. Since that time, that has really been a plus for us. Every game since them, we have been the better team in the fourth quarter.''
That philosophy certainly payed off as the season wound down, and was most notable in the Eagles' 28-22 win over Kennedy Christian.
``The kids believed that, even if things aren't going the greatest, some how, some way, they're going to do something to enable them to hang in there,'' Bell said. ``If we get to the fourth quarter, our kids believe they can win.''
It was also valuable in the team's win over Titusville. Grove City's game-winning score came with just over a minute remaining in the contest as Justin Bell connected with Rickey Currence on a 25-yard strike in the end zone.
Grove City's defense actually won the game for them against Titusville, recovering a pair of fumbles with less than two minutes remaining. The first set up the Bell-to-Currence score and the second halted a last-ditch Titusville effort.
The defense has been an integral cog to the Eagles' success all season. Only four times has Grove City allowed more than 14 points in a game _ two of which were losses. The two wins were against Kennedy and Titusville.
The offense is far from a high-octane attack, but the bruising running of Russell, complemented by the elusiveness of Errera, has been a formidable 1-2 punch for the Eagles.
Heading into the playoffs, each had rushed for 494 yards. Russell did his in eight games, Errera in nine. Against Titusville, Russell had 14 yards on 10 carries, while Errera led the way with 120 on 22 totes.
No matter what happens against Greenville in the District 10 championship game Saturday, the Eagles have already accomplished more than anybody thought they could.
