Tiger Cubs claim victory in weather-shortened game

Saturday, September 8, 2012
Greencastle's Nate Christy, shown here against Edgewood, ran for 78 yards and a touchdown against Indianapolis Arlington Friday.

INDIANAPOLIS -- On a stormy Friday night across the state, Greencastle's football team travelled to unchartered territory on the east side of Indianapolis.

For the first time in their history, the Tiger Cubs squared off with the Golden Knights of Indianapolis Arlington High School.

The game itself, however, might be more memorable for being a short one as the visitors won 25-0 after the coaching staffs of both schools agreed to end the game at halftime due to inclement weather.

Greencastle's first drive showed promise as the visitors moved to the Arlington 10-yard line with four plays to score.

The Golden Knights tightened up on defense and managed to hold Greencastle at bay, stalling the Tiger Cubs at the one-yard line on fourth down.

Two plays later, though, a bad snap forced the hosts to take a safety and give Greencastle a 2-0 lead.

The Tiger Cubs hit pay dirt on their next drive as they started deep in Arlington territory.

It took eight plays to cover 33 yards, but the Tiger Cubs finally cracked the end zone with Alec Pettit crashing in from two yards out to give the visitors a 9-0 lead.

Greencastle soon benefited from more Arlington mishaps.

After Caleb Robinson recovered a Golden Knight fumble on the host's 22-yard line, the Tiger Cubs cashed in five plays later with Nate Christy rushing in from two yards out to extend the lead to 16-0.

From the next kickoff, Greencastle forced a fumble that Carter Lewis recovered at the Golden Knight 30-yard line.

Tyler Scott, in for the injured Nick Gilliam at quarterback, found Mac Shuee in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown after the recovery to extend the Tiger Cubs' lead to 23-0.

Greencastle's defense recorded their second safety of the game when a snap over the head of quarterback Deaon Holman to cap the scoring at 25-0.

While the Tiger Cubs were in control, their final two drives ended after losing the ball on downs, though Arlington could not capitalize before halftime.

By the time both teams had emerged from the interval, the same storm system that KO'd the North Putnam vs. South Putnam and Turkey Run vs. Cloverdale games was in the vicinity and, after discussion, the game was awarded to the Tiger Cubs.

Greencastle head coach Josh Buis said that the game, with rain falling prior to the start, was one that was going to be difficult to play.

"I thought on both sides of the ball it was a sloppy game. It was wet out, which made the surface difficult to play on. I imagine that's going to be the status quo across the state tonight," Buis said.

"Both teams were sloppy tonight, but we were lucky enough to come away with the win."

Buis added that back-up quarterback Tyler Scott, making his first start for Greencastle, handled the pressure well.

"I thought Tyler Scott did an extremely good job managing the game tonight in his first varsity start. He's an extremely talented young man and he brings an added dynamic to the team," Buis said.

Buis was not, however, as thrilled with other aspects of the offense with the first Putnam County game for the Tiger Cubs looming next Friday as South Putnam visits Greencastle.

"We've got to get better up front. I thought our skill kids did an extremely good job tonight. Our defensive line did a good job of controlling the line of scrimmage," Buis said.

"We've got to get better offensively up front. We've got a lot of competition and we're going to find five guys who can play."

At Indianapolis Arlington High School

Greencastle 9 16 -- 25

Indianapolis Arlington 0 0 -- 0

Scoring

First Quarter

GHS -- 5:15 Arlington Safety 0-2

GHS -- 1:49 Pettit 2-yard run (Weinschenk kick) 0-9

Second Quarter

GHS -- 11:56 Christy 2-yard run (Weinschenk kick) 0-16

GHS -- 10:42 Shuee 17-yard pass from Scott (Weinschenk kick) 0-23

GHS -- 5:44 Arlington Safety 0-25

Statistics

Total Yards

Greencastle 191; Arlington -27

Rushing

Greencastle (154) -- Christy 15-78, TD, Pettit 9-47, TD, Scot 5-29; Arlington (-27) -- Johnson 4-(-13), Smith 2-(-6), Holman 2-(-8)

Passing

Greencastle -- Scott 4-9-37, TD; Arlington -- Holman 0-0-0

Receiving

Greencastle -- Shuee 2-16, TD, Christy 1-30, Robinson 1-4

First Downs

Greencastle 9; 0

Turnovers

Greencastle 0; Arlington 2

Penalties

Greencastle 4-29; Arlington 5-34

Next game -- Greencastle hosts South Putnam next Friday at 7 p.m.