Bluebirds defeat Canton-Galva, 28-18
Contributing writer
The Goessel football team picked up the first win of the season at Canton-Galva on Friday.
“We executed early this game,” said head coach Tyler Schroeder.
Goessel held the Eagles scoreless for two quarters as the Bluebirds crossed the goal line twice, leading 14-0 at the half-time break. Both scores came on passes from Trey Schmidt to Nic Buller.
The battle continued in the second half with Goessel scoring again on a Trey Schmidt one-yard run, but the Eagles scored midway through the third period.
The Eagles kept the game close with another score in the fourth quarter, trailing 20-16. Four minutes later, Trey Schmidt found Zach Showalter, who ran 18 yards for a touchdown. The score put the Bluebirds up 28-16 creating an important two-possession lead.
With time running out, the Bluebirds had the ball at their own end of the field. Rather than risk a fumble or interception, coach Schroeder told the team to take a safety and run as much time off the clock as possible. The game ended after Canton-Galva made the tackle in the end zone for two points. The win 28-18 ended a seven game losing streak for the Bluebirds.
Trey Schmidt connected on 15 passes for the game hitting four different targets. Nic Buller caught eight balls for 75 yards and two touchdowns, Zach Showalter caught four passes with one touchdown, Drake Sterk was on the receiving end of two passes for 29 yards, and Kellen Froese caught one pass for 18 yards and a conversion for two points.
Mark Schmidt recovered two Eagle fumbles and Peter Voth picked up one fumble as the Bluebirds snuffed several drives.
“Austin Strunk has moved from backup quarter back to center, due to injuries,” said Schroeder. “He has really stepped up his game. Alex Schmidt had a huge game with ten tackles.”
Mark Schmidt and Sterk each had eight tackles, Buller seven and Trey Schmidt six.
The Bluebirds will play their final game of the season at home on Thursday against Peabody. In District play, both Peabody and Goessel own 1-4 records.