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Erie rallies past Butler @GTFBoosters @GTathletics1 @Erieroyalsfb @robmatz

Tagged under: District 10, Gameday Hub, News

| September 27, 2020

Jahlil Grandberry pictured last season accounted for 102 yards of total offense for Erie.

Erie High went on a 35-6 run through the final three quarters to rally past Butler 35-25 Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Erie.

“We had about a week and a half to get ready, ” said Erie head coach Rob Matz. “We played two tough opponents, and we knew again this week it wouldn’t be easy. It does feel great to get in the win column for the season.”

The Royals racked up 254 yards rushing in the second half, led by Jermaine Selby, who gained a game-high 148 yards on 12 carries, including 146 in the final two quarters. Selby scored on runs of ten and 41 yards, while also having big gainers of 35 and 37 yards.

“We had a solid game on the ground, but it was sloppy,” said Matz. “Once we worked with some of our new guys at halftime, things got better for us.”

J.j Woodward, who put the Royals on the board in the second quarter with a 16-yard run, scored from a yard out 3:27 into the second half giving Erie their first lead at 13-12.

 

“We’ve had a rough start to the season, “said Matz. “We’ve lost five starters already this season. It’s been a struggle to put new guys in different places. We needed to make adjustments because we started slow and lackadaisical.”

Woodward added 86 on 18 carries scoring three touchdowns, and had an interception on defense.

Their opening possession of the third saw the Royals convert a 4th-and-1 from 35-yard line after being faced with a 3rd-and-23.

“That was the big one, we had them trapped inside their territory,” said Butler head coach Eric Christy. “They gained 22 yards then converted on fourth down. That was the one that hurt at that point in the game. We have to finish plays.”

Jahlil Grandberry scramble for 22 yards on third down, Grandberry chipped in with 47 yards on nine carries, while also going 3-for-7 passing for 55 yards.

Butler closed the gap to 21-18 when Julian Jones broke free for a 31-yard touchdown run 97 seconds into the fourth quarter.

However, Woodward’s third score of the game, a 1-yard run, and Selby’s 41-yard run put the final touches on the Royals’ first win of the season.

Selby’s touchdown came one play after Woodward’s interception. The interception was returned for a touchdown but was called back for an illegal block in the back.

Butler closed the scoring with Cooper Baxter’s 12-yard run with 3:02 to play.

The Golden Tornado couldn’t have asked for a better start as a pair of first-quarter touchdowns gave them a 12-0 lead.

“We had the momentum, and things were going well,” said Christy.

Butler opened the scoring when Baxter found Byron Manchester for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Following a partially blocked punt, Justin Kabay ripped off a 34-yard touchdown run.

 

Butler had a golden opportunity to up by two scores heading into halftime. An apparent touchdown pass from Baxter to Kabay was erased as the Tornado was called for an illegal shift.

“That was a big momentum killer,” said Christy. “It not only took points off the board, but we ended up fumbling on the next play.”

On the next play, Baxter was sacked, fumbling the ball with Erie recovering.

Baxter led Butler with 109 total yards offense (54 rushing, 55 passing) and four turnovers, including three interceptions.

Kabay added 61 yards on seven carries, while Manchester chipped in with 33 yards on five attempts.

Butler will now play host to Cathedral Prep next Friday night. The Ramblers beat the Tornado 55-21 on September 11th. Erie, meanwhile, will now host McDowell, who won 36-12 on September 11th.

Game Highlights:

 

Erie 35 Butler 25

Butler – 12 0 0 13 – 25

Erie – 0 7 14 14 – 35

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

‘B – Byron Manchester 25 yd pass from Cooper Baxter, (kick failed), 4:37

B – Justin Kabay 34 yd run, (pass failed), 2:11

Second Quarter

E – J.j Woodward 16 yd run, (Henry Polaski pat), 9:05

Third Quarter

E – Woodward 1 yd run, (kick failed), 8:33

E – Jermaine Selby 10 yd run, (Marquelle Darnell from Jahlil Grandberry), 2:05

Fourth Quarter

B – Julian Jones 31 yd run, (pass failed), 10:23

E – Woodward 1 yd run, (Polaski pat), 7:41

E – Selby 41 yd run, (Polaski pat), 6:11

B – Baxter 12 yd run, (Colin Casteel pat), 3:02

Individual Stats: Rushing: Butler- Baxter 14-54, Jones 5-64, Kabay 7-61, Manchester 5-33, Steven Green 1-2, Isaiah Kelly 1-1. Totals: 33-151. Erie – Woodward 18-86, Selby 12-148, Grandberry 9-47, Steve Smith 12-90, Mason Hunter 1-3, Team 1-0. Totals: 53-374.

Passing – Butler – Baxter 4-for-10, 55 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions. Erie – Grandberry 3-for-7, 55 yards.

Receiving – Butler – Charles Kreinbucher 1-20, Manchester 1-25, Green 1-13, Lance Slater1-(-3). Erie – Darnell 2-48, Selby 1-7.

Interceptions: Erie – Kremeer Thompson, Woodward, Selby.

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