Turnovers, Taulbee propel Alter to D-IV title

Mike Parris, December 05, 2009 1:48 p.m.

Kettering Archbishop Alter took advantage of five Chagrin Falls turnovers and the punishing running of Cody Taulbee to complete an undefeated season with a 37-7 victory in the Division IV state championship Saturday at Canton Fawcett Stadium.

The Alter defense was fast and furious all day long, frustrating the Chagrin Falls offense with their speed and discipline. Alter limited the Tigers to just 144 yards of total offense and just seven first downs.

It was the second consecutive state championship for Alter, who defeated Steubenville 21-6 on the same field last season.

Despite committing an uncharacteristic five turnovers of their own, Alter was able to capitalize on their opponent's mistakes. Chagrin Falls did not and from the early going it simply wasn't going to be the Tigers' day.

Chagrin Falls wide receiver Marc Geraci fumbled on the Tigers' third play from scrimmage, recovered at the 11-yard line by Alter's Jack Bolek. But the Chagrin Falls defense stood tall, forcing a 30-yard field goal by Andrew DiMario.

Kettering Alter pushed their lead out to 9-0 on the first play of the second quarter, capping a deliberate 12-play, 59-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run by senior Cody Taulbee.

Alter's defense completely shut down the Chagrin Falls offense in the first 24 minutes, holding the Tigers to just 8 rushing yards on 13 carries and only one first down. Turnovers by the Knights, however, kept the contest close.

The two teams combined for five turnovers in the first half alone. Alter lost two fumbles and tossed an interception, while Chagrin Falls turned the ball over twice.

But another Alter mistake early in the third finally cost them.

On the Knights' first drive of the second half, Chagrin Falls senior linebacker David Powers burst through the line to disrupt the Alter handoff. Classmate Jared Peizer scooped up the loose ball at the Knights' 16-yard line.

Chagrin Falls' All-Ohio running back Chris Gorman, who was held to just two yards in the first half, punched it in from five yards out, cutting the Alter lead to 9-7.

It momentarily appeared the Tigers were back in the game, but Alter roared right back, turning to Taulbee. The 215-pounder converted two third down runs and finished the 80-yard scoring drive with a 24-yard touchdown run.

Alter then put the game out of reach thanks to another Chagrin Falls turnover. Quarterback Chris Trinetti got his pass tipped at the line of scrimmage and into the arms of All-Ohioan Thomas Armstrong, who strolled into the endzone from 28-yards out, extending the Knights' lead to 23-7 late in the third quarter.

Taulbee's 31-yard scoring burst--his third of the afternoon--put the final nail in the coffin for Chagrin Falls. He finished with 16 carries for 126 yards.

As a team, the Knights rushed for 301 yards.

Chagrin Falls, which was making the first ever appearance in the state championship, finished their banner season at 14-1.