The Garfield G-Men football team appears to have a nice routine at this point in the season. The G-Men remained undefeated in Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Tier play by dominating Portage County and league foe Southeast 47-7 last Friday evening at Freedom Field in Palmyra Township.
“The kids played well, we started well and no complaints there,” said Coach Mike Moser. “There is always stuff we have to work on and things we have to clean up but we played well in all phases of the game.”
It marked the final time Garfield (6-0, 3-0) will face the Pirates as MVAC Grey Tier rivals, but the rivalry will continue as the teams will remain conference foes when they join the Greater Portage Athletic Conference next year.
The G-Men added another league victory to their record, setting themselves up to face off against co-league leader Liberty, who is also undefeated on the season for a week seven duel. The 14-year coach acknowledged that the outcome of Garfield’s week seven contest will likely determine the MVAC Grey Tier Champion.
On Friday, Garfield’s stout defense was tested early when the Pirates executed an explosive play that took them into the G-Men’s red zone. Although Southeast advanced the ball to the 10, the G-Men’s defense stiffened and forced the Pirates to settle for a field goal, but senior kicker Tristan Finch missed the kick.
After taking over on downs, the G-Men engineered a long and methodical drive, capped off by 13-yard touchdown run by junior tailback/linebacker Ryder Cain.
According to Moser, keeping the Pirates out of the end zone and scoring on the ensuing possession swung momentum in Garfield’s favor.
“I know I say this every week but momentum in high school sports and especially momentum in high school football, it is a real thing, and you can feel it,” he added. “When you get a stop and get off the field defensively and then go down and score, you can start to build it.”
The G-Men dominated in the second quarter, as the 6-foot Cain scored three more touchdowns, from five yards, four yards, and 17 yards, respectively.
Cain tallied 100 rushing yards and four touchdowns on only 10 carries.
“That is the way it works sometimes, make the most out of your 10 carries,” noted Moser. “Ryder is a heck of an all-around football player, and we are blessed to have guys like Ryder and some of the other guys we have as well.”
Senior quarterback/defensive back Collin McGranahan added a one-yard touchdown, stretching the G-Men’s lead to 33-0 at the half, triggering the running clock in the second half.
Moser praised his defense for settling in after surviving an early threat from Southeast. Garfield’s defense finished the game by not allowing Southeast to record a passing yard.
“Southeast is a running team predominantly but again credit to the secondary because they did try to throw it and our guys were there,” he said.
The G-Men’s defense surrendered a touchdown in the third quarter, as the Pirates finally scored on a 49-yard rushing touchdown by junior tailback/defensive back Alaunte Massrock, snapping Garfield’s scoreless streak at 11 quarters, but still finished the game strong.
In addition to the victory positioning the G-Men to contend for the MVAC Grey Tier banner it also secured another season with an above .500 record, marking the ninth straight season that Garfield has recorded a winning season.
Since Moser assumed the helm in 2013, Garfield has posted a winning season in 11 of his 14 years as the head coach which has been a quick turnaround as the G-Men tallied consecutive seasons below .500 in his first two years.
“It is a credit to a lot of things, but it is a credit to our coaching staff,” he said. “It is a credit to our kids and the culture that they have helped build that everybody has worked on and the support, the parents and the administration. It takes a lot of things to go right to put together a run like we have for the last nine seasons. I am proud of it but there is still a lot of work to be done.”
Garfield will welcome MVAC Grey Tier rival Liberty to JAG Stadium in Garrettsville on Friday evening at 7 p.m.
