By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com
Even in a losing cause Friday at Unkrich Stadium, there were performances well worth noting for the Galion Tigers. WQEL’s Jeff Roberts and Josh Stallings named Connor Moreton the Spitzer Game Changer and Garret Kuns was selected as the McDonald’s/Q92 Player of the Game.
In Galion’s loss to state-ranked Jonathan Alder, the Tigers were down 28-0 early as the Pioneers were continually capitalizing on a short field to score touchdowns. But in the second quarter, Galion got on the board and Moreton went to work. His four kickoffs during the game all traveled to the end zone, changing the field position in the Tigers’ favor.
The senior also drilled a 47-yard field goal in the second quarter to keep a potentially lopsided game more competitive. The kick set a school record at Galion.
Moreton, who has expressed the goal of kicking in college when his high school career comes to a close, told WQEL’s Don Diosi after the game that he thought the kick had plenty to spare and would have cleared the crossbar from as far away as 60 yards. Galion coach Matt Dick told Diosi the coaching staff has confidence in Moreton and wouldn’t hesitate to let him attempt a kick in a game as far away as 55 yards.
Moreton leads the Tigers in scoring midway through the season with 22 points, is a perfect 10-for-10 in PATs and four-for-five kicking field goals.
Even after a slow start, Kuns was able to jumpstart the Tigers’ offense and finished the night with 73 rushing yards on 12 attempts and a touchdown.
For the season, Kuns has rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown and added another 141 yards in receptions plus another touchdown. He is also handling the Tigers’ punting chores and returned both punts and kickoffs.
But it is on defense where Galion’s Mr. Everything really shines. Kuns leads Tigers’ defenders in sacks with three and total tackles with 48 including six for loss. He also has one interception through five games.
Spitzer Motors Game Changer of the Week award winners receive a T-shirt commemorating their performance and McDonalds Player of the Game honorees receive a gift certificate for two regular size value meals redeemable at either McDonalds of Bucyrus or Galion.
Each week for the balance of the local high school football season, Crawford County Now will feature winners of the Spitzer Game Changer of the Week and the McDonalds/Q/92 Player of the Game awards on Monday evenings as selected by Jeff Roberts and Josh Stallings.