Tom Williams: Girard has plenty to celebrate on both sides

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Tom Williams

In the biggest football win in Girard High School history, quarterback Mark Waid had plenty of offensive fireworks to celebrate (337 yards rushing, 110 passing).

But his biggest emotional outburst came while playing defense. On the untimed down that ended the third quarter, Waid broke through Hubbard’s offensive line to sack the Eagles’ sensational quarterback Davion Daniels. Waid popped up and thrust his right arm forward at the band shell housing the Indians’ musicians.

“It’s exciting,” Waid said sheepishly, almost afraid to confirm that such a flashy moment happened. “The most important thing is getting this [win] with my brothers, my family.

“It was incredible for this program, for this community. The stands were packed full of Girard [fans]. It was incredible.”

What’s incredible is just how dominant the Indians (12-1) were in a rematch of the only game they lost. Back in Week 2, Hubbard (11-2) defeated Girard, 48-32. Saturday in Niles, Girard walloped Hubbard, 43-18.

“We did a better job the first time around limiting his big plays,” Hubbard coach Brian Hoffman said of Waid.

It could have been much worse if not for two big plays by Hubbard senior Jamie Thomson. Trailing 7-0 early, the Eagles went three-and-out on their first possession but the Indians muffed the ensuing punt and Thomson pounced on it at the Girard 35. Three plays later, Daniels scored on a 26-yard run.

In the second quarter, the Indians, nursing a 22-6 lead, were driving for the kill when Thomson delivered a huge momentum-shifting play. The defensive back picked off Waid at the 15 and raced 74 yards before being hauled down at the 11.

Daniels’ second touchdown, this one from the 1, renewed the Eagles’ hopes.

“Great play by Jamie ... got us back into the game,” Hoffman said.

The Indians were forced to punt on their next series, setting up Hubbard’s third score.

“At halftime, we felt pretty good,” Hoffman said.

Those feelings soon evaporated. Waid capped the Indians’ first drive of the second half with a 4-yard score. The Eagles responded with a long drive, but Girard’s Terrance Davis intercepted Daniels at the 2. On the next play, Waid broke loose for a 95-yard gain. Two plays later, he scored for a 36-18 lead.

“I wish I could tell you what happened but I don’t know,” Eagles senior linebacker Lukas Mosora said. “He’s a great player, a hell of a player.

“We just couldn’t stop him tonight.”

Girard lineman Jack DelGarbino, a state wrestling champion, said this accomplishment was a new experience.

“This is a totally different atmosphere — I’m doing it with the family,“ DelGarbino said. “We all played hard, it was a great game all around.”

The lineman said “Eleven guys flying around on defense, doing their job” was the secret to containing Daniels.

Girard coach Pat Pearson described it as “chain-gang defense. I know we’re known as an offensive school, but our D plays hard as you are going to find.”

Of Daniels, he said, “He is an unbelievable athlete, unbelievable player. “And he’s a great kid — he’s a Mahoning Valley football player. What a great career.”

DelGarbino said he’s excited to be the Mahoning Valley’s last team standing and doesn’t mind practicing on Thanksgiving. He added that even though there is another game on the schedule, it won’t stop him from feasting.

“Not me, not the linemen,” DelGarbino said.

Tom Williams is a Vindicator sportswriter. Write him at williams@vindy.com and follow him on Twitter, @Williams_Vindy.