by Gates Mills, Ohio – The Girard Bulldogs picked up a huge road win, 49-26, at Gilmour Academy on Saturday afternoon in Division IV, Region 13 action.
FIRST QUARTER
Junior quarterback Nic Bengala got things going with a 51-yard touchdown strike to fellow classmate Michael Palmer.
However, Gilmour would respond.
Sophomore quarterback Andy Kavcic had a long scramble to get the Lancers into the red zone. Kavcic was injured on the play, however, and would not return to action.
Senior running back Mick Hopkins took over as the signal caller from there. Two plays later, Hopkins put the Lancers on the board with an eight yard scramble to the house.
The ensuing point-after was blocked, and Girard held the lead, 7-6.
The Girard offense responded fairly quickly.
Nic Bengala connected with Michael Palmer once again, this time on a 66-yard strike. This score increased the lead to 14-6 barely three minutes into the game. These were the only catches of the game by Palmer, totaling 117 yards.
Not only was Bengala effective by air, but also showed his skill on the ground.
After a stop forced Gilmour to punt, Bengala took a keeper 27 yards to the house to increase the lead to 21-6.
Michael Palmer had over 1000 rushing yards on the season going into Saturday’s contest. He added a ground score from two yards out to increase the lead to 28-6.
SECOND QUARTER
On a quarterback keeper, Mick Hopkins took it 20 yards to the end zone. However, the two-point try was deflected at the line, and Girard’s lead stood at 28-12.
On the next possession, the Indians offense struck again, thanks to the legs of Nic Bengala. Bengala ran it in from six yards out to increase the lead to 35-12.
After another defensive stand, Girard found the end zone once again. Michael Palmer scored on an eight-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 42-12. Palmer had 11 carries for 81 yards and the aforementioned two scores.
Gilmour moved down the field, looking to go into the locker room with some momentum, but the defense made a huge stop to hold the Lancers off the board, and the lead stayed at 42-12.
THIRD QUARTER
The second half would start off with a running clock, but both teams played hard to the final whistle.
On the defensive side of the ball, Girard junior linebacker Connor Strain scooped up a fumble, and took it 17 yards to the house. This increased the lead to 49-12, and capped the scoring for the Indians on the afternoon.
It was one of several huge plays that Girard made on defense to aid their winning effort.
Also on defense, Dominic Malito laid down a huge hit in the second quarter during a defensive series, and picked off a pass to bring an end to a Gilmour drive. He also had an impact on offense, with seven catches for 126 yards.
Senior defensive lineman Nassim Lloyd had a huge sack at the end of the first half as well.
FOURTH QUARTER
Mick Hopkins would take a carry to the end zone from four yards out for his third rushing score of the day.
Gilmour put together a solid effort in the second half on defense.
Louka Babic had a sack in the third quarter to bring an end to a Girard drive, and junior defensive lineman Hunter Sebulsky recovered a fumble with 2:37 left, giving the Lancers one more attempt to score.
Mick Hopkins capped off the final drive of his high school career with a long completion to fellow senior Dan Jevnikar. Not long after, he found Brady Pietruszka in the end zone for a six-yard score. He would add a two-point conversion, finding Brayden Green in the end zone, for the final points of the game.
Senior wide receiver Dan Jevnikar had five catches for 132 yards.
“The season was great. It was the best chemistry we had all four years. We all got very close this season and these guys are my brothers.” said Jevnikar.
Girard improves to 7-4 and they will travel to #4 Perry next Friday night to continue Division IV, Region 13 playoff action.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Michael Palmer (Girard) 2 catches, 117 yards, 2 TDs, and 11 carries for 81 yards and two scores.
Nic Bengala (Girard) 12 of 14 passing for 274 yards, 2 TDs, and 12 carries for 87 yards and two scores.
Mick Hopkins (Gilmour Academy) 14 of 24 passing for 198 yards and a touchdown, and 18 carries for 123 yards and three scores.
