by This game is brought to you by these fine sponsors – Sponsors – KEE On Sports Media Group
GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OH –The fans from both teams came out to Garfield Heights to kick off the 2022 season. Freshman Neghel Pickett converted a 2-point conversion with 15 seconds left to give his team the win.
The game started off as a defensive battle as the first points weren’t scored until 1:48 left in the first half. Quarterback Noah Werman found receiver Tommie Benn for a 65-yard touchdown to get the Bulldogs on the board.
Eastlake responded quickly as receiver Curtis Thomas took a screen pass on the last play of the half for a touchdown making the halftime score 8-7.
Eastlake started the second half with a 12 play, 7 minute and 43 second scoring drive to make the score 15-8 in favor of the Rangers.
With 8 minutes left in the 4th quarter linebacker Bryant Young would get a strip sack to set up the rangers in great field position. But the drive would not go as planned as the Rangers would miss a field goal giving the ball back to the Bulldogs at their own 27-yard line with 5:08 remaining.
Needing a touchdown Garfield Heights would put in freshman QB Neghel Pickett to lead the drive. Multiple good runs by RB Ronald Johnson and scrambles by Pickett set the Bulldogs up at 1st and goal with under a minute left.
Tommy Benn punched it in for a 1-yard touchdown with 15 seconds left to cut the deficit to 1.
The Bulldogs would then opt to go for 2 and the win. They put the ball in Pickett’s hands, and he ran the conversion up the middle giving the bulldogs the lead and the victory.
The freshman came up big off the bench late in the fourth to lead the Bulldogs to a big win in the opening game of the season.
The Rangers Austin Gracie had a great game running for 87 yards and a score, but it just wasn’t enough as the Rangers fall to 0-1.
Bulldog fans went home happy as they start the season 1-0.
Scoring Plays
1st Quarter- none
2nd Quarter-
1:48 #2 Noah Werman 65-yard pass to #4 Tommie Benn. 2pt conversion good
0:00 #13 Zach Rummel 57-yard pass to #1 Curtis Thomas. PAT Good
3rd Quarter
4:17 #29 Austin Gracie 2-yard run. 2pt conversion good
4th Quarter
0:15 #4 Tommie Benn 1 yard run. 2pt conversion good
Players of the Game
Garfield Heights- #4 Tommie Benn
Eastlake North- #29 Austin Gracie
Number 14 is Taevion Ciganko sophomore