Girard defeated Champion 31-6

By GREG GULAS

Vindicator CORRESPONDENT

CHAMPION — Landon Smith and Tallen Birmingham each scored twice, Adam Charles threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns and the Girard defense held Champion to just 68 rushing yards as the Indians defeated the Golden Flashes, 31-6 in an All-American Conference Blue Tier game on Friday.

The Indians remained undefeated (5-0) and improved to 2-0 in league play while the Golden Flashes fell to 1-4, 0-2.

Girard coach Bud McSuley called the win nice, but was less than pleased with his team’s execution.

“This was a war tonight and Champion came to play ball right from the start. Give Coach [Terry] Howell and his staff credit for their excellent game plan as they were disciplined. We just didn’t come off the ball like we should.

“We missed some reads tonight but to our credit, we did make the big plays when we needed to while our defense made the big stop when we really needed it.

“We have Niles next week and it gets even tougher for us after that so we better continue to improve and be ready for each opponent the rest of the way,” McSuley said.

While the Indians’ offense has been a model of consistency at the midway point of the season, it was the Golden Flashes offense on the opening drive of the game that looked more like the well-oiled machine.

Quarterback Bill Yartz executed a 15-play, 80-yard drive that consumed 8:04 off the clock, culminating in Travis Damron’s 5-yard run as Champion took a 6-0 advantage.

Damron, who carried a game-best 28 times, rushed for 54 of his game-high 80 yards on the drive which pleased his first-year coach.

“Travis really is a special player because he never gives up when the ball is in his hands,” said Howell.

“I was really proud of our kids because they hung in there on both sides of the ball,” he added. “We just need to learn to put the ball in the end zone and finish what we start.

“We’re a young team with only six seniors so while we are taking our lumps now, we’re getting valuable game experience and will be much better next season,” Howell said.

The Indians needed just six plays to take the lead as Charles found Smith from 61 yards out at 1:56 of the quarter to forge a 7-6 margin.

It was a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way.

Charles has several options when throwing the ball, but admits that Smith is special.

“He’s awesome! When I throw the ball to him I can trust that he’ll find a way to come down with it,” said Charles.

“Take nothing away from Champion because they played their butts off tonight. Offensively, however, we’ve had better games.

“We weren’t focused and didn’t play like we were capable of playing,” Charles added.

Birmingham’s 5-yard run at 9:35 of the second period increased the Girard lead to 14-6 and when Charles and Smith hooked up for their second score of the evening, a pitch and catch from 66 yards away at the 2:22 mark, the Indians increased their lead to 21-6.

David Meigs’ 22-yard field goal as time ran out in the half gave the Indians a 24-6 lead at the intermission.

The Golden Flashes caused two Girard turnovers in the third quarter, both fumbles but they could not capitalize on the gifts.

Birmingham’s 3-yard scamper with 1:47 remaining in the game then rounded out the scoring.

The Indians had 343 total yards with all but 68 coming through the air while the Girard defense limited the Golden Flashes to just 68 rushing yards on 47 attempts.

Smith led all receivers with five catches for 182 yards and two scores while the Indians held a narrow 11-9 first down advantage.