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Greencastle edges Mustangs, wins 13-12
GREENCASTLE -- Electric. That singular word could describe Friday evening at Greencastle's Harbison Stadium as the Tiger Cubs improved to 2-1 with their dramatic 13-12 win over Edgewood.
It took three quarters for the magic to happen, but it happened nonetheless. The Tiger Cubs relied heavily on their run game, but it was through the air that delivered them the victory late in the fourth quarter.
"I was very happy, and I told the kids this after the game, our kids will fight until the end," GHS head coach Eric Davis said. "I think that's very important. I think that's a great attribute and I think that speaks volume about our kids. So, I feel real good about our fight, our effort and likewise, the kids understand there's a lot of things we need to get better at."
The game was a stalemate at the half and it took Edgewood much of the third quarter to put the first points on the scoreboard.
Facing a fourth and four, Edgewood's Bryan Delos Santos went outside and took the ball 16 yards to the endzone, giving the Mustangs the 6-0 lead after a failed two-point conversion.
The fourth quarter started with a big return from Hayden Stuckwisch down to the 10-yard line. Unfortunately, the Tiger Cubs unable to find the endzone and the chance stalled at the five-yard line.
But if Stuckwisch's return excited the GHS faithful, the next return they witnessed might still have them trying to catch their breath.
After an Edgewood three-and-out, GHS junior Chad Keyt fielded the Mustang punt and raced down the far sideline for a 40-yard touchdown return, giving the Tiger Cubs a 7-6 lead.
At 2:43 remaining, it looked as if victory had been snatched from the Tiger Cubs as Taylor Bybee powered his way into the endzone from nine yards out to put Edgewood on top 12-7 after another failed two-point conversion.
It didn't take Greencastle long to respond. On its ensuing drive, Greencastle only needed four plays to regain the lead and ensure the victory.
The drive began with Battin connecting with Keegan Remsburg for a 10-yard gain. Two plays later, Battin hooked up with Nick Hutcheson for 10 yards and then Battin and Remsburg did what they do best.
Sitting on the 33-yard line, Battin took the ball, dropped back and threw a fade to Remsburg, which the receiver caught in stride, and after breaking a tackle, took across the goal line putting the Tiger Cubs up for good at 13-12.
"It's amazing because they do a better job with that under pressure than they do when they're just throwing the ball around," Davis said with a smile. "It's really kind of odd."
It might have been the long pass people with be talking about the following day, but the team's defense allowed the offense to have its chance to strike and ultimately preserve the win.
The Tiger Cubs had three interceptions on the night, including one that closed the final drive from Edgewood. Cross tossed the ball downfield, where Stuckwisch tipped the ball and Ryan Battin was able to scoop it up before it hit the turf, assuring the Tiger Cubs' second victory of the season.
Davis acknowledged the quality of play his defense has been giving thus far in the season and now is looking for his offense to step up its game.
"I tell you what, our defense is very good," he said. "We got to get the offense going -- there has to be some urgency there. And I think we moved the ball more consistently tonight, we just have to now take the next step. I think we've gotten better offensively each week.
"Tonight, (Mac) Shuee did a nice job on our perimeter game, (Ben) Hesler did a nice job in the middle and I think those two things as we grow offensively, we'll be even better," Davis added.
Things won't be getting easier any time soon for GHS. They will face three quality opponents in as many weeks and Davis want to see more things translate from the practice to gametime.
"We have the grinding part of our schedule upcoming," Davis said. "Triton Central is very good, South Putnam is very good and North Putnam is amazing. With those three squads coming up, we have to have a sense of urgency of getting better in practice. And getting things done in practice and seeing them translate on the field.
"That's kind of our philosophy going into these next three weeks," he added.
Greencastle will travel to Triton Central for a 7:30 p.m. start.
At Greencastle
Greencastle 0 0 7 6 13
Edgewood 0 0 6 6 -- 12
Third Quarter
E -- Delos Santos (E), 2pt. failed 3:40
Fourth Quarter
GHS -- Keyt 40-yard punt return 7:32
E -- Bybee 9 run, 2pt. failed 2:43
GHS -- Battin 33 pass to Remsburg, 2pt. failed 1:53
Individual Stats
Edgewood
Rushing -- Delos Santos 20-143, Cross 11-32, Bybee 5-14 TD
Passing -- Cross 6-14 31 yards, 3 INT
Receiving -- Delos Santos 1-17, Kendall 3-9, Roberts 1-3, Ridge 1-10
Greencastle
Rushing -- Hesler 17-24, Shuee 6-36, Battin 7-14, Trevor 2-3
Passing -- Battin 6-11 84 yards, TD
Receiving -- Remsburg 5-74 TD, Hutcheson 1-10