Barker/Roy-Hart gridders best Pa. foe

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Chris Steves (79) of Barker/Roy-Hart tackles East ball carrier Quannie Roberts (5) during Barker/Roy-Hart’s win over the Pennsylvania squad this afternoon at Middleport.

Rallying with a big second half scoring burst, Barker/Roy-Hart snapped a season long four game losing streak by defeating East High of Erie, Pa. 26-16 this afternoon in an interstate contest at Middleport.

Trailing 16-8 at the half, Barker/Roy-Hart got back into the game on a 3 yard touchdown run by Eric Fitch in the third quarter.

Quarterback Andy Xapsos helped set up that tally with runs of 24 and 19 yards and a 21 yard pass completion to Matt Maines.

Barker/Roy-Hart then rallied into the lead for good with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns on a 40 yard pass from Xapsos to Maines and a 1 yard run by Fitch.

Runs by Xapsos of 14 yards on a fourth down play and of 12 yards on a third down carry highlighted the final scoring drive.

Ed Wasnock (2) of Barker/Roy-Hart tries to go through East tackles by Davahntae Barnes (4) and Shalin Snider (55).

“It’s always nice to get a win,” said Barker/Roy-Hart Coach Bill Bruning. “The kids played well.”

Fitch also scored on a 1 yard TD run and and added the two-point conversion carry in the first quarter to give Barker/Roy-Hart and early 8-0 lead.

However, the East Warriors answered with a pair of touchdowns on a run by Davahntae Barnes and a pass by quarterback Chris Adams to take a 16-8 lead at the half.

Xapsos finished with 167 yards rushing and 68 yards passing.

Fitch led the Barker/Roy-Hart defense in tackles with 11 as Matt Laverty had 9, Noah Rocklein 8 and Trevor Meal 7. Rocklein also had a sack and Ed Wasnock an interception.

The loss drops East to 0-5.

Barker/Roy-Hart next hosts Albion at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Barker.

Noah Rocklein of Barker/Roy-Hart puts a hit on East quarterback Chris Adams.