ERIE — For the first two minutes of the game, everything was going exactly to plan for the Grove City HighSchool football team.

Then came the next 46 minutes.

Fumbles. Penalties. Interceptions. They all conspired to doom the Eagles to a 32-7 loss to Fairview in the District 10 Class AA semifinal game at McDowell High School Saturday night.

"Should've, would've, could've," said Grove City coach Jeff Bell, lamenting about the loss.

In the first two minutes of the contest, the Grove City defense held Fairview to a three-and-out and scored on its first offensive play, thanks to some trickery.

Dwayne Martin tossed a perfect strike on a reverse pass to Drew Bestwick for a 45-yard score to put the Eagles up early.

The only thing Bell regretted about the play was he called it too soon.

"If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't have called the reverse pass on the first play of the game," Bell said. "Because I think we scored in one play, and it seemed like we didn't have that focus (after that)."

After committing 10 penalties for 70 yards in its opening-round win over Seneca, the Eagles were whistled for 11 penalties totalling 100 yards against Fairview.

Grove City also lost two fumbles, one coming just before quarterback Justin Haugh was about to score on a quarterback draw in the third quarter to give the Eagles the lead back.

The Eagles also had two costly interceptions on tipped balls, the first coming inside Fairview's 20 at the end of the first half.

The second tipped interception was much more costly.

Fairview defensive end Bret Waples put his hand up and deflected Haugh's pass right to linebacker Tyler Sargent, who raced untouched 36 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter.

Sargent had both picks.

His score gave Fairview a 19-7 lead and opened up the flood gates for the Tigers.

"The harder they work, the luckier they get," said Fairview coach Jerry Leightner.

Sargent also scored two rushing touchdowns. He tied the game on a 25-yard run in the second quarter and put the finishing touches on the victory with a 3-yard run with 25 seconds left in the game.

Grove City (7-4) outrushed Fairview (10-1) and outgained Fairview in total offense.

Chris Clark was a workhorse again for the Eagles, rushing 20 times for 170 yards. Martin also added 73 yards on the ground.

In the two playoff games, Grove City punted one time.

The only numbers that mattered, though, were on the scoreboard.

"I thought we had a good gameplan," Bell said. "Some of the things we did were good. I don't know how you do this. We seemed to have momentum (going into the playoffs), but then it seemed like we lost it. I don't want to blame it on the week off, but I can tell you what, we're not going to make that mistake again. You can bet we're going to have a 10th game next year."

Fairview will play Wilmington in the District 10 title game next week.

It's been eight years in the making.

Leightner took over a program that was at rock bottom and in that time has gotten it to the title game.

The Tigers are 27-5 in the last three seasons.

Leightner is hoping the experience against Grove City's speed will help prepare his team for the jets Wilmington has at its disposal.

"I'm a big Niche believer," Leightner said. "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. We said all along our goal was to win the region and get to the district title game. And here we are."

Fairview 32, Grove City 7

Grove City 7 0 0 0—7Fairview 0 13 6 13—32GC F14 First Downs 1745-287 Rushes-Yards 42-25071 Passing Yards 684-12-2 Passes (Comp.-Att.-Int.) 6-15-0358 Total Yards 3182-2 Fumbles/Lost 3-011-100 Penalties-Yards 5-50

First QuarterGC — Drew Bestwick 45 pass from Dwayne Martin (GordonCraig kick), 10:23

Second QuarterF — Tyler Sargent 25 run (Zane Meeder kick), 9:12F — Gary Corbin 4 run (kick blocked), 9:12

Third QuarterF — Sargent 36 interception return (run failed), 2:14

Fourth QuarterF — Jack McCann 5 run (pass failed), 5:10F — Sargent 3 run (Meeder kick), :25

Individual Statistics

Passing: Grove City, Dwayne Martin 1-1-45-0, Justin Haugh 3-9-26-2, Mike Buruk 0-2-0-0. Fairview, Gary Corbin 6-15-68-0.

Rushing: Grove City, Chris Clark 20-170, Dwayne Martin 13-73, JustinSpencer 2-18, JustinHaugh 6-15, CalebDavid 1-8, Mike Burk 2-2, CodyRedfoot 1-1. Fairview, Jack McCann 26-180, Tyler Sargent 9-68, Gary Corbin 6-3, Team 1-(-1).

Receiving: Grove City, Drew Bestwick 2-50, Justin Burk 1-15, Destin DeMarion 1-6. Fairview, Matt Sundberg 2-31, Jake Leightner 2-20, Justin Haney 1-9, Ryan Hayes 1-8.