by Akron, Ohio – The Akron Garfield Golden Rams had a clutch goal-line stand in the final seconds Saturday afternoon to defeat the visiting Southeast Pirates, 21-13.
Senior Thomas Walker took a handoff 11 yards to the house to put Akron Garfield ahead, 7-0, at the 2:56 mark of the first quarter. After a defensive stop, the Golden Rams struck again. This time, Isaiah Matthews took a handoff 23 yards to paydirt, increasing the lead to 14-0 after one quarter.
Southeast got on the board in the second quarter with a Bryer Pickana 37-yard touchdown run with 2:42 left in the second quarter. The score stood at 14-7 going into the half.
Garfield increased their lead to 21-7 with a two-yard touchdown from Martino Mitchell with 4:08 left in the third quarter.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Bryce Pickana scored for the second time on a 23-yard rushing touchdown. The PAT was blocked, keeping the score 21-13 in favor of Akron Garfield.
Southeast defensive back Maverick Wood recovered the onside kick, and the Pirates had momentum.
However, Akron Garfield stopped the Pirates on downs, and took over with 7:26 left.
The Rams moved the ball down the field, continuing to eat up clock. However, a series of penalties, and a dropped pass led to a third-and-long situation.
Maverick Wood picked off the ensuing pass and made it to the 33-yard line before being shoved out of bounds by Breshaun Nichols.
The Pirates got a huge fourth-down conversion when Joe Sharish connected with Austin Mejia. Mejia was nearly stripped of the ball, but recovered at the four-yard line.
This set the Pirates up with a potential opportunity to knot the game. But Akron Garfield had other plans, stopping Southeast on four straight run attempts. Darrin Brown Jr. and Martino Mitchell made the last tackle to ice the victory.
Akron Garfield travels to Revere next Friday, August 30th. Southeast looks to bounce back as they host Mathews next Friday, August 30th.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Darrin Brown Jr. (Akron Garfield)
The junior defensive end made a pair of huge tackles in the red zone as part of the Golden Rams’ goal line stand to hang on to victory. He also flipped the field on a pair of punts.
Maverick Wood (Southeast)
The junior defensive back was all over the field in the second half. He recovered a fumble, an onside kick, and had a huge interception late in Saturday’s contest.
Extended highlights below:
