By Matthew Peaslee

mpeaslee@vindy.com

GIRARD

It could’ve been a laugher. It could’ve been an embarrassing start for the home slate at Girard’s Arrowhead Stadium.

But the Indians used a strong second half to turn a Hubbard runaway into an exciting Eagle win.

“There was no quit,” Girard coach Nick Cochran said after the eventual 35-25 loss. “We fought back and didn’t get too down like we may have in Week 1.”

Hubbard had a 28-0 halftime lead, yet the Eagles needed to come through under pressure to secure the victory.

Four key players, including star running back Larry Scott, sustained second half injuries.

“The kids were resilient,” said Hubbard coach Brian Hoffman. “A hard-fought win, but it was costly. We were playing on the fly. We had a cycle going. You’re prepared for those situations, but the tough conditions were a big factor.”

Scott scored three second-quarter touchdowns and finished with 196 yards on 16 carries. His first score was a 91-yard run that put the Eagles up 14-0.

The sophomore had just four carries in the first quarter because they came out throwing the ball. Quarterback Brandon Harb was 5-of-14 with 63 yards and a touchdown run. He had 63 rushing yards as part of 330 total yards for the Hubbard offense.

“It was mostly just trying to be as well-rounded as possible so they weren’t focusing on one player,” Harb said.

That one player was Scott, who went down midway through the third quarter after a 16-yard gain. He was on crutches after the game due to an apparent ankle injury.

“That took a breath out of the crowd,” Harb said of Scott, who on Thursday dispelled rumors that he was leaving Hubbard for Mooney or Ursuline for his junior year. “It was pretty hard to stay focused, but we got it done.”

Girard scored twice in the third and were threatening for another touchdown in the closing minute of the quarter. Darnell Tate stopped the Indian progression when he recovered a fumble and took it for a 20-yard score.

“I’m pretty sure it lowered their momentum and it definitely picked up ours,” Tate said. “They were coming back quick and cutting it close so that TD made a difference.”

Hubbard kicker Vlassios Pizanias was 4 for 4 on extra-point attempts.

The Indians (0-2) scored twice in the fourth. QB Jordan Graziano had 186 yards on 33 rushes and threw for 60 yards on 11-of-20 completions. James Cupan had a 47-yard scoring run and had 114 yards. Evan Delbene caught four passes for 32 yards and a TD.

“Our line got a little bit better and we executed better offensively,” Cochran said.

Play was stopped for 25 minutes late in the fourth when Eagle defensive lineman Brett Morgan lied motionless. He was carted out on a stretcher and went to the hospital as a precaution. Hoffman said he was moving his arms and legs.

“We hope our whole team is thinking of him right now,” he added.

Last year Girard beat Hubbard 48-13. The Eagles are 2-0 for the first time in five seasons under Hoffman.