“I don’t think we were really ready for them to run the ball that much. It kind of messed us up a little bit because we thought they were just going to keep throwing the ball.”

Nick russell, Springfield quarterback

By Matthew Peaslee

mpeaslee@vindy.com

SUGARCREEK

Lining up on a fourth and 1 in the waning minutes of Friday’s Division V regional semifinal game, Sugarcreek Garaway called a quarterback sneak. With the intentions of just getting enough momentum to slightly move the chains, QB Tyler Walter rattled off a 14-yard run.

Springfield was then called for a personal foul after the play.

It was pretty much telling of how the entire second half went for the Tigers.

Three plays later, Walter found Gabe Elmore from 17 yards out for a score, resulting in the 32-14 final.

Springfield was flagged seven times for 70 yards in the contest, and turned the ball over twice on offense that killed drives of their own.

“Those are the mistakes that you’re not going to overcome,” said Tigers coach Sean Guerriero.

After jumping out to a 14-0 lead, with Nick Russell running for TDs of 3 and 56 yards, Springfield surrendered the 32 unanswered points, as well as 460 total yards. While the Pirates have been notorious for being a pass-heavy team, ala the Tigers, themselves, they really tripped up Springfield on the ground.

Garaway had 124 of its 158 rushing yards in the second half, including a 38-yard touchdown scamper by Eric Schie that added to its lead.

“When they line up in the stack-I, you know they’re coming after you,” Guerriero said. “I think after that they tried to slow the game down and take some time off the clock.”

Russell, the Tigers QB and defensive back, said they weren’t prepared for Garaway’s offensive adjustments.

“I don’t think we were really ready for them to run the ball that much,” he said. “It kind of messed us up a little bit because we thought they were just going to keep throwing the ball.”

The Pirates’ first lead came on their first possession of the second half when they drove 93 yards on six plays. A 49-yard kickoff return by Tom Mastran to the 30 set Springfield up nicely to answer. But, facing a fourth and 1 , a false start penalty backed it up and an 11-yard loss, with a turnover on downs ensued.

Garaway faces Kirtland in the next round. This was the Pirates’ first playoff appearance in 17 years and their first postseason victory.