Tiger Cubs run around Tigers for first win of season

The excitement of the first night of Friday Night Lights was continued from the opening kickoff until the final whistle for the Greencastle Tiger Cubs. Greencastle dominated the game from the outset and defeated the Crispus Attucks Tigers 42-0.

The Cubs certainly did not look like they were they were playing against grown Tigers; it looked the other way around. Greencastle had three times as many rushing yards (197-64) and scored on its first two possessions. Defensively the Cubs never allowed the Tigers in the end zone and furthermore, Crispus Attucks did not cross midfield until the second half.

“We won, shut them out, scored 42 points, did some good things and a good start to the first game,” head coach Mike Meyer succinctly stated.

Owen Huff started the game with a bang for the Cubs as the junior almost broke the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but his 42-yard return set up Greencastle in good field position. Four plays later Lamar Moore scored the first of his three touchdowns on the night from six yards out and Ian Williamson added the PAT kick for a quick 7-0 Cub lead with less than a minute and a half gone in the game.

“I thought Lamar played really well tonight,” Meyer said.

Crispus Attucks picked up a pair of quick first downs but the Greencastle defense stiffened and forced a punt. The rushing attack of the Cubs continued to dominate. Moore and Chase Carrington alternated carries as Moore scored from 11 yards out, capping a seven-play, 49-yard drive. Williamson added another PAT kick and the Cubs had a 14-0 lead with still over four minutes to play in the first quarter.

Greencastle’s pass rush put an end to the Tigers' next drive quickly with two sacks, one and a half of those by Ethan Hamm, and a fake punt failed for Crispus Attucks, setting the Cubs up with ball on the Tiger 25-yard line. Greencastle could not capitalize as it drove inside the red zone but fumbled the ball for its only turnover of the night.

“We’ve got some issues that we have to correct, but overall, I was pleased with how we played,” Meyer said.

Crispus Attucks only had the ball for three plays before the Cubs forced their first turnover of the game.

Huff intercepted a Tiger pass and the Cubs took over at their own 34-yard line. A holding call and sack led to what seemed to be the first Greencastle punt of the night, but an illegal participation penalty against Attucks gave the Cubs new life and they took advantage of it.

Brendle Brennan capped off the 66-yard drive with a 21-yard touchdown run on the jet sweep and Williamson added another extra point for a 21-0 lead for the Tiger Cubs.

Greencastle’s defense forced a three-and-out by the Tigers and had them pinned deep. A short punt set up the Cubs from the Attucks 24-yard line. Three plays later, Carrington picked up his first touchdown with a six-yard scamper. Williamson’s kick made it 28-0.

The Cubs could not get it into the end zone on their last two possessions of the first half, but still led 28-0 heading to the locker room.

“I am really pleased. We have to work on our game conditioning. I thought we got a little winded earlier in the game,” Meyer said.

Greencastle left no doubt early in the second half. After an Attucks fumble, recovered by Brayden Monroe, the Cubs drove 41 yards, overcoming a holding call, to score on a quarterback sneak by Jacob Miller. Williamson continued to be perfect on PAT kicks and the Cubs got the running clock started in the second half with a 35-0 lead.

The Cubs defense immediately got the ball back as Alexzander Grove intercepted a Tiger pass on Attucks’ first play from scrimmage on the next possession. Two plays later, Moore scored his third touchdown of the game from 20 yards out and the automatic extra point machine set the score at 42-0.

The running clock limited plays with Greencastle’s Williamson providing the spark of the fourth quarter with a 60-yard punt. Combine that punt with going five-for-five on PAT kicks, the sophomore had a great game kicking the ball.

“He is a good one. We knew that and he kicked really well,” Meyer said.

Greencastle will host its second straight game next week against Northview.

“Defensively we played well, just a couple of breakdowns. Our lines played well and we got off to good start to the season, but how much more can we improve this week before Northview. We have room to improve,” Meyer said.

1st Quarter

GHS – Lamar Moore 6 run (Ian Williamson kick), 7-0, 10:31.

GHS – Lamar Moore 11 run (Ian Williamson kick), 14-0, 4:17.

2nd Quarter

GHS – Brendle Brennan 21 run (Ian Williamson kick), 21-0, 8:55.

GHS – Chase Carrington 6 run (Ian Williamson kick), 28-0, 6:15.

3rd Quarter

GHS – Jacob Miller 1 run (Ian Williamson kick), 35-0, 8:15.

GHS – Lamar Moore 20 run (Ian Williamson kick), 42-0, 5:15.

Rushing: Crispus Attucks: Darrell Taylor 7-10, Kerry Joseph 12-49, Diego Pettiford 5-(-7), DeJuan Elliott 1-2, Greencastle: Lamar Moore 19-110, Chase Carrington 8-61, Brendle Brennan 3-27, Jacob Miller 4-(-20), Owen Huff 1-21, Cayden Blodgett 3-(-3).

Passing: Crispus Attucks: Diego Pettiford 4-12-2 38. Greencastle: Jacob Miller 4-7-0 38..

Receiving: Crispus Attucks: Michael Dye 2-12, Keeshum Cox 1-24, Kerry Joseph 1-(-6). Greencastle: Chase Carrington 3-36, Owen Huff 1-2.