Garfield G-MEN run away with a 48-13 road win over Crestwood behind McGranahan’s 5 touchdowns
MANTUA, OH- It was week 2 of Friday Night Lights at Jack Lambert Stadium in Mantua as the Crestwood Devils hosted their county rival Garfield G-MEN. It was the first time since 2019 that the two schools have met on the gridiron. They will both be joining the Greater Portage Athletic Conference next season and will play each other annually. Garfield set the tone early with their signature run game and cruised to a 48-13 victory.
Crestwood would receive the opening kickoff and would go three and out only gaining three yards on the possession. Garfield would waste no time getting on the board. Following a Devin Bates 16 yard run, Collin McGranahan took it 54 yards to the house for the first score of the game. Hannah Timmons PAT was good and Garfield led 7-0 less than three minutes into the game.
Collin McGranahan with the 1st quarter 54 yard TD run
On their second drive the Red Devils would pickup a 1st down on a Chris Mory 10 yard run, but would be forced to punt once again. Crestwood’s defense would come up big as Michael Kalista picked off a McGranahan screen pass attempt. The Red Devils would get into the red zone and eventually attempt a 38-yard field goal attempt that fell well short.
Garfield would find the endzone on their next drive. On the 2nd play of the possession, Ryder Cain reversed field and took it 65 yards down to the Devils 2-yard line. From there McGranahan plunged in from 2 yards out. Timmons 2nd extra point attempt was good and Garfield led 14-0.
Collin McGranahan with his 2nd TD
Crestwood would get on the board on the very first play of the next possession when sophomore running back Nick Hess took a handoff to the house from 63 yards out. The two point try was no good and the G-MEN lead was cut to 14-6.
The G-MEN would come right back with another score after a Nate Baczkowski long kick return set them up at the Red Devils 25 yard line. From there three plays later it was a 3rd McGranahan rushing touchdown, this one from 14 yards out. Timmons nailed another PAT for a 21-6 lead early in the 2nd.
Another rushing touchdown for Collin McGranahan in the 2nd quarter for Garfield
After a Crestwood three and out, the G-MEN would score in one play as Sam Strahan went the distance from 32 yards out for the touchdown. Timmons hit the PAT to make it a 28-6 game with 9:22 left in the half.
Sam Strahan takes it in from 32 yards out for Garfield
Another Crestwood three and out punt…and another quick Garfield score. McGranahan would hit Nate Baczkowski in stride for a 71 yard scoring play. Timmons would hit her 5th straight PAT to put the G-MEN in a commanding 35-6 lead.
Collin McGranahan to Nate Baczkowski for the 71 yard hookup
That would be the final action of the 1st half as the G-MEN led 35-6.
Garfield would open the 2nd half with a 4-play, 68-yard drive that would be capped off with a Ryder Cain 27 yard touchdown run up the middle. The PAT would bounce off the crossbar and the G-MEN led 41-6 and a running clock began with the G-MEN up by 30+ points.
Crestwood would be forced to punt for the fifth time on the night. Garfield would put their longest drive of the game together going 70 yards in 9 plays ending with McGranahan’s 4th rushing touchdown and 5th touchdown overall for the game. Timmons would hit her 6th PAT of the night and Garfield took a 48-6 lead.
Collin McGranahan scores his 5th TD of the game
Crestwood would get a late Chris Mory 19 yard touchdown run and a PAT for the final score of 48-13. The G-MEN take home the big rivalry win to move to 2-0 on the season.
Collin McGranahan led the way for the G-MEN with 155 total yards and the 5 touchdowns. Ryder Cain rushed for 120 yards on only 8 carries with a touchdown. Nate Baczkowski had 92 total yards and a touchdown.
Nick Hess rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown to lead Crestwood.
Garfield looks to keep it rolling next Friday when they travel to New Middletown Springfield while the Red Devils look to bounce back at Mineral Ridge.
I spoke with Collin McGranahan, Ryder Cain and coach Mike Moser following the G-MEN win.
