GROVE CITY - For the first 24 minutes, Grove City appeared to be on its way to an easy football victory Friday night.

Too bad no one told Hickory.

Despite five turnovers, the Eagles (3-2 overall, 3-1 in Region 3, Class AA) were able to squeeze out a 21-14 decision over the Hornets.

"It wasn't one of our best nights," said Grove City coach Jeff Bell. "You can't turn the ball over like that and be considered a championship football team."

With 5:54 left in the first quarter, Grove City's Jesse Alfreno ran a toss-sweep over the left side for a 4-yard score.

Matt Turek put the Eagles in scoring position by recovering a fumble at the Hickory 13-yard line.

The Grove City defense was active in the first half, sacking Hickory quarterback Nick Lumpp four times and holding the Hornets to 32 total yards.

Grove City got another touchdown with 39 seconds left in the opening quarter when Jack Vallely busted through the middle of the Hornets' defense for a 12-yard score.

Vallely gained 96 total yards and scored two touchdowns.

On their first possession of the second half, Hickory drove to the Grove City 29-yard line.

But on fourth-and-10, Grove City's Tim Waxenfelter stopped tailback Elias Nassar one yard short.

However, Grove City fumbled the ball at the Hickory 24-yard line.

The Hornets (2-3, 2-2) capitalized 11 plays later when Lumpp scrambled out of the pocket and converted a fourth-and-21 play by finding a wide-open Dave Smith in the front corner of the end zone.

Lumpp completed 4-of-6 passes on the drive for 54 yards and the touchdown.

Grove City fumbled on the very next play and Brad Maniscalco pounced on the ball for the Hornets at the Eagles' 37-yard line.

Hickory scored nine plays later when Nassar took a direct snap from center and busted through the Eagles defense for a 4-yard touchdown.

Nassar had 85 yards on 19 carries, with 50 of those yards coming in the second half.

"We knew in the second half we had to come out and run the ball," said Hickory coach Jim Bell. "We also had to fix our protection for Nick (Lumpp), and I think we did a pretty good job."

On its ensuing possession, Grove City answered right back when quarterback Jim Jaskowak threw a short swing pass to Vallely, who rumbled 41 yards for the go-ahead score with 6:22 remaining in the game.

Jaskowak passed for 61 yards and gained another 91 on the ground.

The Hornets had one last chance to tie the game, but Lumpp threw a prayer into the end zone that was intercepted by Waxenfelter.

"I give our defense credit. They were tired but they hung in there," said Jeff Bell. "They stopped them when they had to and we made the plays on offense when we had to, and I am happy for that."