By Jeff Harrison
TL Associate Sports Editor

Ferry holds on to edge Bellaire, 12-10

Riders beat rival back-to-back for the first time since the early 1960s

What had been for the most part a season to forget for Martins Ferry turned into a memorable one as the Purple Riders managed to defeat arch-rival Bellaire in back-to-back seasons with a 12-10 triumph Friday night at Ferry Stadium.

Since the inception of the revolving "SPARKY" trophy in 1964, Ferry had not been able to beat Bellaire in consecutive years after dominating run in the late 50s and early 60s. Ironically, the Riders accomplished the feat winning by the identical score as in last year's game.

Ferry ended the season 3-7 record, trimming Bellaire's lead in the Ohio's third-oldest gridiron rivalry to 44-33 with seven ties. Bellaire finished at 4-6 by dropping it's first three winning its next four and losing its last three.

"We haven't beaten them here (at Ferry) for a long time (1976, to be exact)," commented elated Rider coach Dave Bruney, "and we're real happy that our seniors were able to go out with a win. This season was a real test of their character and we were able to rally to the occasion and stop them when we had to."

"We kept telling our kids we'd beat somebody we weren't supposed to if we put four good quarters together," Bruney continued "and we probably played our best football game tonight. The offensive line did a super job and the backs finished off their runs well. We felt every inch would be important tonight and it was."

Ferry put together a picture perfect scoring drive for the game's initial points, traveling 93 yards in 13 plays.

Two sophomores whose late season emergence, as well as the fact many other regulars return, bodes well for Ferry's future, contributed big gainers to fuel the march, Quarterback Josh Lucas connected with junior Brian Peterson (who wore injured senior teammate Jason Lude's No. 12 as a tribute to the Ferry co-captain) for a 27-yard gainer and 186 pound back Tyrone Stewart exploded for 26 yard run up the gut to give the hosts a first-and-goal at the nine.

A six yard Lucas toss to junior fullback Erik Delguzzo pushed the ball to the three, but a motion penalty moved it back to the eight. After Lucas gained one on the option roll out, the Riders came back with the same play only this time Lucas drilled one to sophomore tight end John Caprita low and away for a seven-yard TD.

Bellaire's Mike Sechrest broke through to block junior John McFarland's point after kick, but the Ferrians had a 6-0 lead with 2:18 remaining in the first half.

Coach John Magisro's Big Reds cut the margin in half on their first series of the second half, wit Sechrest putting the visitors with a 50-yard kickoff return.

A facemask call on the play gave the Reds possession at Ferry's 18 where a 13-yard hookup from junior QB Chad Magistro to sophomore Chris White moved it to the five. A motion penalty, a sack and two incompletions left Bellaire with fourth-and-goal at the eight and senior Jason Miller came on to hit a 25-yard field goal with 8:01 left in the third period to pull Bellaire within 6-3.

A punt exchange ensued, with Ferry taking over at the Bellaire 38. The Riders used seven snaps to cover the distance, with senior tailback Rich Theaker getting the six-pointer at the 11:35 mark of the final quarter from four yards out. Theaker's run for the bonus markers was stopped short, but the Riders had some breathing room at 12-3.

Bellaire pulled within two on a 62-yard TD drive, aided once again by two major infractions against the Purple. Magistro teamed with White for the final three yards, with junior Scot Hall adding the PAT and Bellaire was within 12-10 with 7:35 remaining.

Ferry moved to Bellaire 29, only to have a fourth down keeper by Lucas stopped inches short to give Bellaire one final opportunity.

A 21 yard Magistro-to-Sechrest connection moved the ball to mid field. Two short completions sandwiched around a sack by Peterson, who enjoyed a big nigh defensively, led to a fourth-and-one at the Ferry 41 with 1:14 to go.

Bellaire opted for a sneak, but Ferry's defense delivered by stuffing Magistro for no gain and the Riders ran out the clock.

"He (Magistro) had broken tackles on us several times and was hot and I'd probably have called the same thing" commented Bruney. "I thought they might throw from that formation because every time we saw the back move up, they threw it."

Ferry finished with a 251-169 edge in total yardage. The Riders piled up 20 on the ground and had 46 through the air, with Lucas hitting four-of-eight tosses. The Purple collected 15 first downs, retained their lone fumble and had to overcome nine penalties for a whopping 109 yards. Theaker punted three times for a 40-yard average.

The Riders ground game featured Stewart (10 carries, 57 yards), Lucas (7-43), Dleguzzo (7-43), Theaker (11-41), with Theaker closing out with 694 yards for the season.

Bellaire gained 75 yards on the ground and 119 through the air with 25 yards in losses for its net. The Red had a dozen stick-movers, retained their two fumbles, and had four penalties for 36 yards. Sechrest punted three times for a 33-yard gait.

Magistro hit 11 of 22 passes and finished with 1,435 yards for the year. Sledom-used sophomore John Calhoun picked up 31 yards on seven carries to lead the ground attack. Scoring:

Bellare 00 00 03 07 - 10
Martins Ferry 00 06 00 06 - 12
Ferry - John Caprita, 7-yard pass from Josh Lucas. Kicked blocked.
Bellaire - Jason Miller, 25-yard field goal.
Ferry - Rich Theaker, 4-yard run. Run failed.
Bellaire - Chris White, 3-yard pass from Chad Magistro. Scott Hall kick.