The best way for a young team to grow is by winning a tightly contested battle. That is what the Garfield G-Men football team did last Friday evening when they fended off Normandy by a 20-12 margin at Robert M. Boulton Stadium’s Byers Field in Parma.
“We found a way,” said Coach Mike Moser. “It was a pretty miserable weather and it was a runny night but our guys made plays when they had to. The kids showed some guts on Friday night. There were some tough moments in there and when we had to have it, the kids delivered.”
Holding a 14-6 advantage in the fourth quarter, the G-Men’s (2-1, 0-0) lead was trimmed to 14-12 when Normandy scored a touchdown at the beginning of the period, but their two-point conversion failed, and the Garfield maintained their lead and responded with a methodical drive on the ensuing possession.
On a night where the only option for either team was to run the ball, the G-Men kept moving the chains with short rushing plays. They advanced to the Normandy four-yard line and faced a fourth-and-two. They decided to go for the touchdown and senior tailback/linebacker Harper Troyer ran it in for the score.
According to the 12-year coach, it was worth the gamble because even if the G-Men did not convert the fourth down, they would still have Normandy pinned deep in their own territory.
The Invaders could not engineer a game-tying drive as the G-Men forced a turnover on downs and converted one first down to run out the clock.
“It is a team game and both sides have to do their part but we are pretty pleased with the defensive effort we had on Friday evening against an explosive team and a team with some skill players and we are happy with the way that we played,” noted Moser.
Although it was a game that came down to the wire, Moser said it was a good experience for his young squad.
“We have to find ways to win and have been in plenty of close games. Our kids have got to play in some close games to get used to it. This is how you get the experience. You have to do it,” he said.
It was a defensive battle beginning in the first period as neither team scored. Although both teams attempted a few passing plays at the start, Moser said the wet conditions from the constant rain made it difficult to continue doing so and each team relied heavily on their rushing attack.
Garfield struck first in the second quarter when sophomore tailback/defensive back Devin Bates scored on a five-yard touchdown run, pushing the G-Men ahead 7-0.
Normandy responded with a touchdown drive, cutting Garfield’s lead to 7-6 but the G-Men stayed ahead when they blocked the extra point attempt.
Following Garfield’s defensive stand on the extra point, junior wide receiver/tailback/defensive back Brandyn Bogucki delivered another electric special team play, scoring on an 89-yard kickoff return touchdown, increasing Garfield’s advantage to 14-6.
It marked the second consecutive week that the 5-foot-10 junior scored on a kickoff return touchdown. After sharing some of the kickoff return duties last year, Bogucki has become Garfield’s primary return man this season and has dazzled thus far.
“Special teams are a big part of the game and Brandyn has been able to strike lightning a couple of times,” noted Moser. “Brandyn is a natural athlete. He is just a junior and is doing a nice job.”
The game continued to be a defensive duel throughout the remainder of the second and third periods before Normandy trimmed the G-Men’s lead to a one-possession game. When the going got tough for Garfield, they delivered to seal the victory and finish their non-conference schedule with a 2-1 record.
The G-Men’s running game was once again fueled by a stable of running backs, with the 6-foot Troyer tallying 60 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and the 6-foot Bates recording 50 yards and one touchdown on 10 rushing attempts.
“That is who we are this year, four or five guys run the ball for us,” Moser said. “Brandyn chipped in with another 45 yards and junior Jack Neikirk had 35 yards. The yards are coming from different guys.”
The G-Men’s first Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Tier game will occur when they host conference foe LaBrae on Friday evening at JAG Stadium beginning at 7 p.m.
