Beginning the season with a loss may not have been ideal for the Garfield G-Men football team but they have responded in a big way. The G-Men conquered Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference foe Springfield 40-21 last Friday evening at JAG Stadium.
“Over the years we have been pretty resilient at home and on the road so it was nice to just get back on the field and get playing again and we knew we could play better than we did in week one,” said Coach Mike Moser. “We were anxious to get out there and prove that and I think the kids have the last two weeks.”
Although the Tigers are conference foes, they are in the MVAC Scarlet Tier, marking the first time Garfield (2-1, 0-0) has faced them since joining the MVAC Grey Tier. Although the game did not count as a league game, the 13-year coach said playing an MVAC foe was all the motivation his team needed.
“I think it is good against good and I think anytime our kids get excited for that and they knew it was going to be challenge and they knew we were playing a good team,” he added.
On Friday, the G-Men dominated the first quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points to take a commanding lead into the second quarter.
Garfield’s offense was ignited by the rushing game, as wide receiver/tailback/defensive back Brandyn Bogucki struck first on a 63-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a touchdown run by junior running back/defensive back Collin McGranahan from 53 yards out, and a 56-yard touchdown run by sophomore tailback/defensive back Ryder Cain.
According to Moser, while the G-Men’s rushing attack had been effective in the first two weeks, they had been lacking those explosive plays. Garfield’s stable of running backs delivered in a big way in the first quarter, with three different players scoring on touchdown runs of 50 yards or greater.
As usual, it was the 5-foot-10 Bogucki who sparked everything. He finished the game rushing for 95 yards and one touchdown on nine carries while also catching three passes for 38 yards and a touchdown.
“It never gets old. We have been spoiled with that kid for the last three years so he is a great football player and a great kid and it is great to see him have those big plays,” Moser said.
Moser also credited his defense with some strong play in the opening period, as the G-Men’s tackling was much improved.
“I think the key for us in the scheme is going to be sound but how are we tackling?” noted Moser. “We talked after that first week when we missed 51 tackles, and you can’t scheme yourself out of 51 missed tackles. I think the last two weeks we swarmed to the football and tackled much better so that is the key.”
The G-Men were on the verge of pulling away until they were called for a holding penalty on a Springfield punt, which extended the Tigers’ drive and resulted in senior quarterback Brayden Baird connecting with senior wide receiver/safety Matthew Wymer on a six-yard touchdown strike, trimming the lead to 21-6.
The G-Men responded with a methodical drive, capped off by the 5-foot-9 Cain rushing for a two-yard touchdown, pushing Garfield’s lead to 28-7.
Moser praised his team for rebounding after Springfield cut into the lead.
“They scored and then we put a good drive together and went right back down the field and scored again to regain some of the momentum,” he said. “Those things are going to happen, they are going to happen every Friday, it is how you respond to those things.”
Garfield’s defense shut out Springfield in the third quarter and although the Tigers added a touchdown in the fourth period, Garfield sealed the victory with one more touchdown drive as Cain scored his third touchdown, this time from three yards out.
Despite the G-Men once again missing junior running back/linebacker Devin Bates due to injury, their depth at the tailback’s position was evidenced by having four players tally 50 rushing yards or more and six players combining for 400 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
“Ryder ran the ball really well obviously,” Moser said. “Collin ran the ball well, Brandyn ran the ball well, Sam Strahan ran the ball well and Jack Neikirk ran the ball well so that has been our calling card. A lot of guys are going to carry the ball and we will do our best to keep the ship afloat until Devin gets back, and he can help even the load out.”
Garfield will begin league play when it hits the road to take on MVAC Grey Tier rival LaBrae at LaBrae Stadium in Leavittsburg on Friday at 7 p.m.
