Van Zanic
Director of Sports Information
(724) 847-6886
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2007
SENIOR DAY SPECTACULAR, GENEVARALLIES
FOR LATE GAMEVICTORYOVERGROVECITY
Beaver Falls, PA - It had been 24 years since Geneva and Grove City had played in a football game together. Much like the rest of Geneva′s first season in the Presidents′ Athletic Conference, it was well worth the wait. Geneva′s Luke Duriancik caught a three-yard pass from Bobby Bondi with 9.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter for the deciding score in a 13-12 victory over Grove City. The win moved Geneva′s overall record to 8-2, while Grove City ended its season at 4-6.
Grove City more than held its own against the Golden Tornadoes for most of the day. In fact, the Wolverines held a decisive edge on both sides of the ball in the first 30 minutes. As both teams went to the locker room at halftime, Grove City held a 12-3 only to see the Golden Tornadoes rally for one of the most exciting comebacks in Reeves Field history.
The day started with Geneva honoring its 2007 senior class of 19 players. Geneva′ second drive of the game culminated with a 30-yard Nick DiPeitro field goal that put Geneva on top. The field goal was set up by a Matt Dean 54 yard run earlier in the drive. Grove City posted the game′s next 12 points. A pair of Chris Haley field goals from 32 and 26 yards gave the Wolverines the lead. Grove City extended its lead on a Jay Yanak five yard reception from Andrew DiDonato. The ensuing extra point was failed when the holder bobbled the snap. The botched extra point turned out to be a huge play in the final outcome of the game.
In the first minute of the fourth quarter, DiPietro nailed a 22 yard field goal to cut Grove City′s lead to 12-6 and gave the Golden Tornadoes much needed momentum. After a pair of Geneva drives stalled, it was the final drive of the afternoon that was the difference. Geneva took over at its own 24 yard line with 2:40 on the clock. Bondi used 14 plays and all but ten seconds to come up with the winning drive. The Golden Tornadoes converted a pair of fourth downs along the way to keep the drive alive before Duriancik′s game winning heroics in the final ten seconds.
Although Bondi struggled for much of the day, he did finish with 178 yards through the air on 18-34 passing. On the ground, Matt Dean had 93 yards on 15 carries. Grove City was led by Brian Mercer′s 101 rushing yards on 17 carries.
On defense, Zach Feltrop had a team best 14 tackles, while Greg Eberhart had 13 tackles, including eight solo efforts. Geneva forced a pair of turnovers, one of which came on an Aaron Tommelleo interception in the first half.
While Grove City saw its season come to end, Geneva will get the chance for one more game on its home field next Saturday. The Golden Tornadoes will welcome Malone College to Reeves Field for the 11th annual NCCAA Victory Bowl next Saturday at 6 pm.
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