GALION — Carey matched Galion in first downs Friday night in a non-conference football game at Heise Park in Galion, but the Blue Devils
struggled to finish drives in Galion territory.
The Tigers, however, used their athletic receivers to make big play after
big play en route to a 35-6 victory over Carey.
“That was probably the best if not the second best team we’ll play all
year,” Carey coach Jonathon Mershman said. “We played Leipsic last week and
they were picked to win the BVC. Our non-league schedule is brutal.”
Galion (2-0) jumped out to a 7-0 lead on its opening drive when quarterback
Wilson Frankhouse hit Isaiah Alsip with a 12-yard pass.
After a Carey three-and-out, Galion capped off a 54-yard drive with another
passing score, this time a 23-yard strike from Frankhouse to Kalib Griffin.
Carey’s offense responded, driving into Galion territory, but the Blue
Devils turned the ball over on downs.
The Blue Devils (0-2) got the ball right back when a Frankhouse pass was
intercepted by Bryce Conti near the end of the first quarter, but Carey
again drove and turned the ball over on downs.
Galion was forced to punt for the first time, but Carey fumbled the ball
early on its next drive, giving the Tigers possession on the Blue Devil¹s
13-yard line.
Galion made good use of the excellent field position as Alsip surprisingly
ran the ball up the middle, diving into the end zone for a 3-yard rushing
score.
For the third time in the first half, Carey again drove the ball deep into
Galion territory, but an Ethan Beringer shot at the end zone intended for
Cade Crawford was broken up by Griffin and Carey again turned the ball over
on downs.
“We were able to move the ball; we just didn¹t finish drives,” Mershman
said. “I don¹t even know how many times we stalled out in their territory.
It just felt like, ‘Oh dang, we were so close and so close and so close,’ and
then we stalled out. We needed that killer instinct.”
Galion coach Matt Dick credited a former player for his team’s inspired
defense in the first half.
“We had an ex-linebacker from the 1985 (state championship) team talk to
the boys before the game, Billy Price,” Dick said. “He did a heck of a job
of firing our kids up and using some of that tenacity and energy that he
had. Our defense played pretty well tonight. They had that never quit, never
die attitude.”
Galion¹s receivers made a pair of incredible catches in the final minute of
the first half, allowing the Tigers to call timeout with one second
remaining in the second quarter. The Tigers extended their lead to 28-0 on a
trick play as Alsip passed the ball to Jackson Staton for a 6-yard score as
time expired in the first half.
“We had those mental lapses on defense. You can¹t have those,” Mershman
said. “We’re getting there. Their kid Griffin made two one-handed catches
and Alsip made some incredible plays. Last year we had two athletes to match
their two athletes, but we¹re still finding our athletes right now.”
On Carey¹s first possession of the second half, the Blue Devils again looked
to be driving the ball well, but Alsip stepped in front of a Beringer pass
for an interception to give the Tigers the ball. Alsip finished the game
with a rushing score, a passing score, a receiving score and an
interception.
“I love coaching a kid like [Alsip],” Dick said. “He makes some special
plays. When there are crucial moments on fourth down, he’s the guy that can
find the ball and make the play that we need.”
Carey finally completed a drive late in the third quarter when Conti punched
a 3-yard run up the gut, but the extra point was blocked to make the score
28-6.
Galion responded two plays later when Frankhouse found Hanif Donaldson on a
slant, which he turned upfield for a back-breaking 71-yard receiving
touchdown.
“We’ve got athletes everywhere,² Dick said. ³I wasn¹t really happy with how
our team executed but we have the type of athletes where we can screw up
three plays in a row and then score on fourth down.”
Frankhouse finished with 270 yards passing for three touchdowns and one
interception. He also was the team’s leading rusher, dashing for 106 yards
on nine attempts.
Griffin led all receivers with 105 yards.
While Carey wasn’t able to capitalize on its ability to drive the ball,
Mershman said he found some silver linings in the team’s loss.
“Offensively, we were able to do some things that we weren’t able to do last
week,” he said. “I’m encouraged by what I’m seeing on the field, it just
hasn’t turned into a win yet. I believe my team fought all four quarters.
We’re close. We’re gonna get there. Some people are already jumping off the
bandwagon and leaving us, but we’re gonna surprise people yet.”
Carey will look to earn its first victory of the season at 7 p.m. Friday
when the Blue Devils host Ashland Crestview.
Score by quarters
Carey 0 0 6 0 — 19
Galion 14 14 7 0 — 35
First quarter
G < Frankhouse 12-yard pass to Alsip (Pittman kick) 8:09
G < Frankhouse 23-yard pass to Griffin (Pittman kick) 5:24
Second quarter
G < Alsip 3-yard run (Pittman kick) 5:16
G < Alsip 6-yard pass to Staton (Pittman kick) 0:00
Third quarter
C < Conti 3-yard run (Kick blocked) 1:53
G < Frankhouse 71-yard pass to Donaldson (Pittman kick) 1:15
Individual statistics
Passing
Carey: Beringer 8-19, 99 yards, 1 INT; Lonsway, 0-1.
Galion: Frankhouse, 18-23, 270 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT; Vanderkooi 1-1, 7 yards;
Alsip 1-1, 6 yards, 1 TD; Wegesin, 1-1, 2 yards.
Rushing
Carey: Beringer 13-64; Williams 10-23; Conti 6-17, 1 TD; Lonsway 1-3; Woods
1-2; Summit 1-0.
Galion: Frankhouse 9-106; O¹Brien 6-15; Alsip 2-13, 1 TD; Lehman 1-6; Wall,
3-5; Ison 1-0; Wegesin 2-(minus 1).
Receiving
Carey: Crawford 4-49; Billock 2-26; Yeater 1-12; Curlis 1-12.
Galion: Griffin 5-105, 1 TD; Alsip, 8-79 1 TD; Donaldson 2-76, 1 TD; Borders
2-9; Martin 1-5, Staton 2-(minus 2), 1 TD.
Team statistics
C G
First downs 22 22
Yards rushing 109 144
Yards passing 120 284
Passes 13-29 21-26
Passes intercepted by 1 1
Fumbles lost 1-1 2-1
Punts 2-35 2-34
Penalties 3-20 7-45