Correspondent file photo / Robert Hayes
Austintown Fitch senior Rocco DiFlorio speaks to his team during a pregame huddle prior to kickoff against GlenOak on Sept. 6. As the leading tackler for the Falcons, he’s eager for the opportunity tonight in Week 13.

SALEM — On a rainy, chilly and less than stellar afternoon, the Falcons went to work at practice, nestled in an indoor facility in Salem with eyes on Walsh Jesuit. Taking on the No. 1 Division II ranked team in the state requires that extra attention to detail, but it’s an opportunity Austintown Fitch awaits.

For the first time since 2013, Fitch finds itself in the third round of the postseason, back when the Falcons competed at the Division I level. A mainstay in the postseason over the past slew of seasons, Austintown just couldn’t seem over to hurdle the second round.

After spending the last month at home, Fitch (9-3) will trek up to Ravenna High School this evening in the Division II, Region 5 semifinal to faceoff with the Warriors (12-0). The chance to create noise on the state level is real, and it’s being accomplished with a younger roster that features multiple sophomore starters.

“This was such a young team, when we started in June we couldn’t look a day ahead. It was continuous building, figuring out who we are and what we’d be good at, then guys growing throughout the season,” Falcons coach TJ Parker said. “To be here with these guys right now, I think it’s a sign of their maturity. A sign of our leadership, just them putting the work in and growing throughout the season.

“The guys have been here behind some other really good guys, it’s just making the plays when the plays are presented to you, and showing up. I thought this team has done a very good job of that. Upfront we’ve been very physical, and that’s what we lacked sometimes in the past. That’s made things easier on a young team, then you can run the football, you can stop the run, that helps.”

Leadership starts at the top, and senior linebacker Rocco DiFlorio has been no exception to the rule. He was the Falcons’ top tackler his junior campaign in 2023, while leading the team again this fall with 104 total tackles, 15 for a loss through 12 games. Adding to his stat line are two and a half sacks, and three pass breakups.

“It’s surreal. All of my friends from last year, the bragging rights about getting past the second round have been nice to be using on them,” DiFlorio said with a smile. “We’ve come so far from where we started, I couldn’t be more proud of my guys.

“It’s extremely exciting, we took a hefty loss to them last year, I know our sophomores last year that are juniors now, they’re ready to get back after it, so are the seniors this year, we’re definitely ready for the challenge.”

Whenever an explosive defensive play occurs for the Falcons, Fitch players will hold their arm up like a shark fin above water. Playing with a lot of energy is something DiFlorio credits for success.

“It’s a landshark defense, that’s what we call ourselves. That’s what we pride ourselves on, our physicality, our speed, and just how we play. We play with a swagger, it’s a different level of swag, it’s very exciting to be a part of this defense and to be a leader on this defense to set an example for these younger guys.” DiFlorio said.

Flipping the card over to the offensive side of the ball, one of the rising stars over the past two years has been the shifty sophomore running back Deon’Dray Richard. Going into the contest with Walsh Jesuit, he’s netting 1,499 rushing yards, finding the end zone 19 times. Even more staggering are the 8.8 yards per carry.

“We’re a really good team, but we’re humble. We’re ready to go out there and play our best. Our sophomore class is very good, we’ve had a lot of people that can really shock the world, but we didn’t really get to see them play because of all the people that’s ahead of them,” Richard said. “Our O-Line is our key ingredient, they block their butts off for us, just to keep our quarterback safe and me.

“We just keep our (previous wins) in the past and play how we usually play, dominate and be effective. It’s coach TJ Parker, the way he coaches. He coaches in a way that we can understand and it makes it easy for us and works on the field.”

Likewise, sophomore quarterback Collin Kalaher has played a key role at a young age for Austintown, especially in the second half of the season. From the nerves of making his first varsity start on October 4th against Perry to now, Kalaher feels more poised and confident with each game.

He’s 79 of 123 passing for 1,086 yards, with nine touchdowns and only one interception.

“My line blocks for me, they do a really good job. Just those nerves the first two games, after that they were gone because of my O-Line protecting me and just having fun out there,” Kalaher said. “I just hand it off, and when I need to make plays, I can do that with all of the weapons around me. The receivers, and Dray, and the other running backs, it makes my life a whole lot easier.

“We’ve grown a lot, from all of our losses, I think we’ve learned from those losses. Every week we get better, I think we had a great week of practice this week getting ready for round there. It’s a great opportunity, we know our offense is going to have to put up a lot of points, our defense is going to have to make plays, but we’re ready to capitalize.”

Junior Brady Evans has hauled in a team-high 50 receptions for 589 yards and three scores, sophomore Brayden Bryant adding 219 yards with four touchdowns. On the ground, junior Junie Higgs has netted 540 rushing yards with seven touchdowns.

Junior Dylan Krohn (77 tackles, nine for a loss, two turnovers) and junior Damarr Rogers (72 tackles, 10 for a loss, three and a half sacks) are second and third for total tackles on the Falcons defense. Senior Anthony Ruggles has added seven field goals, one from 50 yards to add to his 40-plus yards on punts.

All of the fine details, field position, ball control, aggressiveness is what it takes to go toe-to-toe with one of Ohio’s best squads.

“I think they’re just excited about the opportunity, it’s the number one team in the state, where everybody doubts us, they’re excited about that opportunity and what they can do,” Parker said. “Our staff has talked, we have everything to lose. We lose, we’re done. That’s the mentality we have, we’re not going in here as the underdog or the team that’s going to try and do all of these things to beat them.

“We know they’re a really good football team, but our goal is that we have everything to lose. We lose this game, this season is over, this team is over, so these kids know that. It’s something that motivates them moving forward. We’re taking that approach with the understanding that we have to be at our highest level come Friday night.”

They might have everything to lose, but they’re excited to get the chance.

“I’m extremely blessed to be where I am, our team is extremely blessed,” DiFlorio said. “We’ve worked so hard, we’re all really excited for tomorrow night, we just can’t wait to get after it. It’ll definitely be a tough challenge, but we’re up for it.”