GENEVA CONTINUES TIGERS WOES

NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio –

Three hundred and sixty-five days ago, the Springfield Tigers (0-3) traveled north and dominated the Geneva Eagles (2-1) 41-14. Last night, the two schools ran it back, this time in New Middletown.

After winning the opening toss and electing to receive, Geneva came out of the gates with something to prove. The Eagles opened the game with a bruising drive that chewed up almost half of the first quarter clock before senior captainJacob Wilson would cap the drive from two yards out.

Just two and a half minutes later, the Eagles would score again, this time via the defensive side of the ball. Springfield junior quarterback, Kolten Ruark, would underthrow his intended receiver and into the arms of Geneva’s Giavonni Rice, who would house it from 25 yards out.

Ahead by two scores, the right foot of Geneva kicker, Owen Pfeifer, would make a twenty-six-yard field goal in the second quarter, along with a thirty-four yarder in the beginning part of the fourth quarter to extend Geneva’s lead to 20-0.

Dominating all night, Geneva was still not finished. After Springfield’s offense started to show signs of life in the fourth, Geneva would come up with its fourth turnover of the game, and second interception when Geneva’s Hayden Diemer would undercut Ruark’s throw. The interception was returned for six but was called back due to a penalty. Nonetheless, Geneva still managed to get more points on the board later in their drive to get the score out to 27-0.

Out of the game now but still fighting to avoid their first shoutout since September 11th of 2015, the Springfield Tigers took till their very last chance to score on 4th and goal from the Geneva seventeen yard-line to put points on the board. Kolten Ruark connected with fellow junior, Dylan Sheely, to break the offense seal with just twenty-two seconds remaining. Springfield’s two-point conversion would fail, leaving the score at its final, 27-6.

BIG PERFORMERS

SPRINGFIELD:

Dylan Sheely: 5 catches, 100 receiving yards, 1 TD

Ryan Carcelli: 12 carries, 41 rushing yards

UP NEXT

Springfield: For the first time since 2007, the Springfield Tigers have started the season 0-3.Unfortunately for the Tigers, the road doesn’t get any easier next week as they’ll host the red-hotLowellville Rockets (3-0). Springfield has won the last nine matchups against Lowellville in a row.

Geneva: Looking to build off their two-game road win streak, the Geneva Eagles will now head home for a matchup with the Lakeside Dragons (3-0). The Eagles and Dragons have faced off fourteen times since 2004, with Geneva leading the series 9-5.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson.