Greencastle downs Cloverdale for second straight county win

Shown in an earlier contest, Calvin Hughes took over quarterbacking duties for the Tiger Cubs during their win against Cloverdale. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

CLOVERDALE--Greencastle and Cloverdale squared off in what was a muddy and windy football game Friday night. The two teams combined for nine fumbles but the Tiger Cubs sprang to life in the second half to gain a 33-6 win over the Clovers.

Greencastle starting quarterback Nick Costin was injured due to an ankle injury. However it didn't stop the Tiger Cubs from getting their second consecutive win and its second win against a Putnam County rival.

It wasn't a pretty win, as much of the first half was scoreless due to the terrible conditions. Greencastle managed to get it into Cloverdale territory but the Tiger Cubs turned it over on a fumble.

A steady wind contributed to both teams not doing much when it came to offensive production and it wasn't until Zach Secrest made a big run midway to the second half that any real action took place.

"It's the same for both teams tonight," GHS coach Ryan Spoonmore said. "There are no conditions that were any different for either side. So it was just play football."

Unfortunately for the Tiger Cubs a 25-yard field goal was mishandled and Cloverdale took over.

Freddie Fislar, however fumbled on the first possession thereafter, and GHS capitalized with a Secrest run from the nine to put the visitors on the board. The extra point conversion was no good.

"We just challenged the guys at halftime to go out there and control the line of scrimmage," Spoonmore said. "To go out there and play hard and want it more than your opponent tonight. To make plays and stop making those mistakes."

With two minutes to play until the half Cloverdale fumbled on its possession and so the low scoring half ended.

However after halftime, Chase Chew of Greencastle took possession of the ball after dropping the kick and retreating back five yards to get it. He then bounced off a few Clovers and turned it into a Greencastle 90-yard touchdown.

After the failed conversion, the Clovers couldn't do much. Greencastle then took over and Chandler Hyten ran to the right side before fumbling out of bounds but not before picking up 52 yards. Secrest did the rest, scoring on a nine-yard touchdown run.

"I just thank my O-line," Secrest said. "They game me good holes to cut through. It was a great win. We're getting ready for homecoming."

Sedrick Weinschenk, who played a big role in that he was constantly kicking touchbacks through the wind, made the extra point making the score 19-0

Cloverdale's next possession ended in a punt but then Greencastle fumbled on a sack.

Despite a solid running effort from the offensive line and from Ethan Boyd, the Clovers were just unable to make any noise offensively.

"We just didn't play well tonight," CHS Jarrod Duff said.

Greencastle started its drive in enemy territory and ended it with another Secrest touchdown making the score 26-0 .

Greencastle took possession again after a Clover punt and Devon Clar got in on the action breaking off a physical 20-yard run which was compounded with a horse collar tackle. Afterward knocking in a 16-yarder for the touchdown and the Tiger Cub's final score.

Cloverdale was determined to avoid the shutout and a big run by Fislar, a solid gain by Tyce Jackson and a finishing run by Boyd capped the drive. The Clovers made the final score 33-6.

The last-minute score for the Clovers was the one blight on the Tiger Cubs' defensive resume that really handled everything it needed to when it came to the line-of scrimmage.

"I just thought our up-front guys did a really good job getting off the ball and making tackles and causing fumbles," Teddy Buis, who was major defensive deterrent all game, said. "You always have fun playing in these sloppy weather games. Afterward we are all freezing but I was just happy to get the win."

At Cloverdale

Greencastle 0 6 13 14 --33

Cloverdale 0 0 0 6 -- 6

Scoring

1st Quarter

none

2nd Quarter

GC--Secrest 9-yd run extra pt. no good 6-0

3rd Quarter

GC-- Chew 90-yd kickoff return extra pt. no good 12-0

GC-- Secrest run9-yd run extra pt. Weinschenk 19-0

4thQuarter

GC--Secrest 38-yd run run extra pt. Weinschenk 26-0

GC--Clar 16-yd run extra pt. Weinschenk 33-0

CD Boyd 8-yd run extra pt. no good