Copley's quickness prevails
Carter scores three TDs, Arnold makes big plays to overcome Invaders' size
[SIZE=-1]By Tom Gaffney[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Beacon Journal sports writer[/SIZE]
COPLEY - This is the time of year when Copley has to be more than a one-player team.
That happened Friday night, when star back Delone Carter got plenty of help as the Indians (9-2) edged Parma Normandy 21-14 in a Division II regional quarterfinal at Copley.
Carter rushed for 173 yards on 28 carries and scored all three touchdowns, including the game-winner on a dazzling effort in the fourth quarter.
But this victory belonged to others, such as quarterback Jason Borchik, receiver Brian Jones, defensive back David Arnold and defensive lineman Mike Nitz.
``Everybody contributed,'' said Carter, who has scored 46 touchdowns this season. ``We are a team. We showed that tonight.''
The Copley defense has struggled at times this season, but it shut down Normandy much of the night, especially in the clutch. The Invaders were bigger than the Indians, but managed just 218 yards and saw their hope for an upset end on an interception by Arnold at the Copley 32 with 1:16 remaining.
``We swarmed to the ball and we outhit 'em,'' said Nitz, a senior. ``When we needed to make a play, we did it. We used our quickness.''
Borchik completed 7-of-13 passes for 106 yards, with Jones leading the way with four catches for 46 yards. Arnold had the late interception and recovered a fumble in the first quarter that helped Copley lead 7-0.
``Normandy is a big, physical football team,'' said Copley coach Dan Boarman, whose Indians will play Tallmadge next Friday at a site to be determined. ``We hung in there with them and a lot of guys made plays.
``Being a team means you make plays when you are called upon. We did that tonight.''
Still, the one constant for the Indians all season has been Carter, a candidate to be named the top player in Ohio. He had touchdowns runs in each of the first two quarters to stake Copley to a 14-7 lead at halftime.
With the score tied at 14-14 in the fourth quarter, Copley drove 75 yards in 10 plays for the winning score, which came on a twisting, turning, 21-yard run by Carter with exactly seven minutes left. Five Normandy players had legitimate shots to tackle him -- and none did -- on the game-winning run.
``He is the real deal,'' said Normandy coach Rich Turner, whose team finished 8-3. ``I am just glad he is graduating.''
Normandy had two possessions after that, but lost the ball on downs in the first one and saw its hopes end on the Arnold interception on the second.
Copley scored quickly when Carter swept over left tackle from 3 yards at 6:24 of the first quarter. The touchdown was set up by a fumble recovery by Arnold at the Normandy 40.
Normandy countered with a 5-yard touchdown run by Joe Dzurisin on the first play of the second quarter to tie the score at 7-7.
Later in the quarter, the Indians went 91 yards in 12 plays to go ahead 14-7. The touchdown was a 12-yard run by Carter in which he broke two tackles. Borchik hit key passes of 19 and 13 yards to Jones to keep the drive alive.
Just before the half, Normandy drove to the Copley 12, but a sack by Nitz moved the Invaders back, and Mitch Boyer missed a 41-yard field goal.
