GIRARD PUTS THEIR FOOT DOWN

GIRARD, Ohio –

Stephen Sims accounted for 368 total yards and five touchdowns as the Girard Indians (6-2) dominated the Hubbard Eagles (5-3) in a 42-14 routing at Arrowhead. Michael Palmer added a touchdown himself and over 100 total yards of offense.

Girard used their speed to score touchdowns on four of their first five possessions. While Hubbard was blanked in the first half, they found early success on the offense side to open the second with back-to-back scoring drives, but couldn’t find a solution to the Indians offense, who would score on all three of their second half possessions.

SIMS STOCK

After senior quarterback Nic Bengala went down with an injury, the Girard Indians were faced with a question of how sophomore Stephen Sims would be able step in and lead the Indians offense.

After struggling last week against the Poland Bulldogs, Sims’ statement night has put to rest any questions surrounding the electric dual-threat signal caller. Sims completed passes at a 61% clip for 164 yards and a score while gashing the Hubbard defense with his legs on 10 carries for 185 yards and 3 touchdowns, adding in an 11-yardtouchdown reception to cap it all off.

BIG PERFORMERS

GIRARD: (13 penalties, 115 yards)

Stephen Sims: 368 total yards, 3 rushing TDs, 1 passing TD, 1 receiving TD

Michael Palmer: 14 carries, 93 yards, 1 catch, 15yards, 1 rushing TD

Anthony Bengala: 3 catches, 53 yards

HUBBARD: (3 penalties, 25 yards)

Nik Hendrix: 65 passing yards, 1 INT, 2 total TDs

Ben Wilcox: 20 carries, 92 yards

PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS

GIRARD:

With their commanding victory over the Hubbard Eagles, Girard has at least clinched a spot in the postseason and are almost a lock for a home playoff game.

HUBBARD:

Still without a victory over a team with a winning record, the Eagles have left themselves with work to do over the closing weeks of the season. Coach Hoffman’s squad needed a victory over Girard and one other in the next two weeks to have a legitimate chance at securing a home playoff game, now the birds will be fighting to even secure their spot in the dance.

UP NEXT

Girard: After bouncing back in a huge way against the Eagles, Girard will hit this coming Friday to take on the surging Struthers Wildcats (4-4). After dropping four in a row, the Cats have rallied off three straight wins over Lakeview, Jefferson, and Niles.

Hubbard: Looking to remain perfect at home and secure a spot in the playoffs, the Hubbard Eagles will play host to the Niles Red Dragons (2-6) Friday the 14th. During Coach Hoffman’s tenure as the Eagles head coach, Hubbard holds an unblemished 14-0 record against Niles.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson