Garfield pulls out an impressive 43-14 win over Liberty
GARRETTSVILLE, OH- It was a marquee matchup Friday night at JAG Field as the 6-0 Garfield G-MEN hosted the 6-0 Liberty Leopards in a game with both MVAC and postseason seed implications. The G-MEN came into the game ranked 3rd in their region in Division V while the Leopards were ranked 6th. After a close 35-34 contest last season won by the G-MEN, many expected another close game in this year’s version. Garfield made their statement in a dominating 43-14 win.
Both teams first possession would end in a punt before Garfield scored the first points of the game late in the 1st. An 8-play, 60-yard drive that came strictly on the ground by Collin McGranahan and Ryder Cain ended with a Cain 2-yard touchdown run. He would also convert the two-point conversion run to put Garfield up 8-0.
Ryder Cain scores a 1st quarter TD for Garfield
The Garfield defense then came up big forcing a Leopards fumble that was recovered by Garfield’s Jack Timmons at the Leopards 15-yard line. From there four plays later it was Cain again, this time from 3-yards out for his second straight touchdown. Hannah Timmons PAT but the G-MEN up 15-0 late in the 1st.
Ryder Cain with another rushing touchdown for Garfield
Next Liberty possession ended with the same result, another fumble recovered by Garfield. The G-MEN took over at their own 49-yard line. They would go 51 yards in 6 plays capped off by a McGranahan 14-yard touchdown run. The PAT was no good leaving the score at 21-0 G-MEN with 8:43 left in the half.
Collin McGranahan with a 14-yard TD run for Garfield
The rest of the 1st half belonged to Liberty and standout senior Dawuan Moody. On the first play of their next possession, he took a keeper around end and 85-yards to the house for the Leopards first score. The PAT made it a 21-7 game. He then came up big defensively intercepting a McGranahan pass returning it to the G-MEN 9-yard line. Two plays later he would run it in from 9-yards out for another Liberty touchdown. The PAT cut the deficit to 21-14 with 2:36 to play in the 1st half.
Garfield would get one more possession before the half but could not doing anything with it as they took a 21-14 lead into the half.
Liberty would open the 3rd quarter with a three and out. The G-MEN would answer going on a 12-play, 51-yard drive that ended with another Cain touchdown from 3 yards out. The two-point run by Cain made it a 29-14 lead.
Ryder Cain with his 3rd rushing TD of the game
The defense picked themselves up from two late Liberty scores to end the half and force a punt. Garfield would counter with another score as Cain busted his biggest run of the night, a 34-yard scamper. Timmons PAT gave Garfield and commanding 36-14 lead early in the 4h.
Ryder Cain with touchdown #4 for Garfield
Garfield would hold Liberty to -10 yards on the next two possessions. The G-MEN would add a late 10-yard touchdown run by Logan Shirkey and a PAT for a 43-14 lead.
Logan Shirkey runs it in late in the 4th for Garfield
Garfield would prevail with a huge 43-14 win over Liberty. Ryder Cain led the way for Garfield with 182 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Collin McGranahan rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown. Dawaun Moody had the 2 touchdowns for Liberty.
Garfield is back home next Friday to host Newton Falls.
