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Grove City holds off Greenville

Tagged under: District 10, Gameday Hub, News

| October 2, 2022

Greenville: Grove City built a 33-14 lead after three quarters, then had to hold off a Greenville rally to improve to 5-2 on the season.

“This is such a tough region. Throw the records out the window,” said Grove City head coach Sam Mowrey. “Greenville will always be well-coached and will play hard for four quarters. We knew we’d be in a dogfight for 48 minutes, and that’s exactly what happened.”

Things did not start the way the Eagles were hoping. After forcing a punt, Greenville drove down the field but turned the ball over on downs at the Eagles’ 2-yard line.

On the next play from scrimmage, Hunter Hohman’s pass was deflected at the line, intercepted by Bennett Hayne, and ran in for a touchdown.

The momentum quickly changed as Nathan Greer returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown.

“That was huge,” said Mowrey. “Our defense and special teams have done a phenomenal job scoring. You see how important those aspects of the game are. Our defense came up with a stop then they made a play with the ball getting batted and intercepted for a touchdown. To be able to start the game over at 7-7 immediately was a huge moment.”

The game was tied at seven after one quarter.

“That was the game’s biggest play, in my opinion,” said Greenville head coach Brian Herrick. “We got a kicker who kicks it deep, and some of our guys that’s their only job is to go down there and cover. I didn’t feel that we gave the greatest effort on that play. They ran it back, and kudos to them, but we have to be better with our coverage units.”

Grove City took a two-touchdown lead in the second quarter thanks to a pair of outstanding receptions from Gavin Lutz.

His 16-yard touchdown from Hohman gave the Eagles a 13-7 lead – 23 seconds into the second quarter.

Grove City then extended their lead 19-7 when Lutz hauled in an 8-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-goal. 

 

The Trojans drove down the field and scored before halftime on Mason Dickens’ 1-yard run.

Lutz and Hohman then connected for the third time in the game on a 26-yard touchdown 1:06 into the second half.

Hohman later scored on 1-yard, giving the Eagles a 33-14 lead after three quarters.

Hunter Hohman finished the night completing 12-of-19 passes for 111 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. Gavin Lutz had a game-high eight receptions for 94 yards and three scores. 

“Hunter was battling through some pain tonight, but he’s a tough kid,” Mowrey said. “Our line did a great job with protection tonight. They gave Hunter enough time to find some receivers downfield. Our receivers did a great tonight. Gavin was able to make some outstanding catches in some tight spots.”

Greenville fought back in the fourth quarter scoring their third touchdown on Malachi Hyde’s 2-yard run.

Noah Philson intercepted a Hohman pass and returned it into the red zone leading to Dickens’ 9-yard run with 5:15 to play to pull the Trojans within 33-27.

 

“I was pleased with our offense tonight,” Herrick said. “We have high-character kids and do everything we ask of them. They work hard, and our run game has to go because we’re a play-action team. We need to spread the ball around more in our passing game.”

Hyde led the Trojans with 87 yards on 22 carries, while Dickens chipped in with 85 yards on 13 attempts. 

Grove City then got the ball back and never gave it up, running out the final five minutes in large part thanks to Anthony Nemec, who rushed for a game-high 134 yards on 21 carries, including 13 for 90 in the second half. 

“That last drive shows a lot of character,” Mowrey said. “Our players and coaches did an outstanding job throughout the night. We knew Greenville wouldn’t go away. They’ve battled in every game this season.” 

The Eagles improve to 5-2 on the season and host Hickory next Friday night.

“My hats off to Greenville,” concluded Mowrey. “We were able to get up a couple of scores, and they battled back with some big plays. I’m proud of our guys for finishing the game and handling the moment.”

Greenville falls to 0-6 on the season and will look for their first victory on homecoming next Friday when Iroquois comes to town.

“I’m proud of this group; I’ve never had a group of kids that’s worked harder than they do,” said Herrick. “They practice, compete hard in every drill we do, and deserve a better fate. Hopefully, we can get it rolling next week. Our goal is to win out and see what happens.”

Game Highlights:

 

Grove City 33 Greenville 27

Score by Quarters

Grove City – 7 12 14 0 – 33 

Greenville – 7 7 0 13 – 27

Score by Quarters

First Quarter

GV – Bennett Hayne 2 yd interception return, (Rasce Stefanowicz pat), 4:09

GC – Nathan Greer 97 yd kickoff return, (Jacob Stuccio pat), 3:53

Second Quarter 

GC – Gavin Lutz 16 yd pass from Hohman, (kick failed), 11:37

GC – Lutz 8 yd pass from Hohman, (kick failed), 3:00

GV – Mason Dickens 1 yd run, (Stefanowicz pat), 0:41

Third Quarter 

GC – Lutz 26 yd pass from Hohman, (rush failed), 10:54

GC – Hohman 1 yd run, (Clayton Martin from Hohman), 3:16

Fourth Quarter 

GV – Malachi Hyde 2 yd run, (pass failed), 9:08

GV – Dickens 9 yd run, (Stefanowicz pat), 5:15

Individual Stas

Rushing: GC – Anthony Nemec 21-134, Hohman 8-29, Greer 1-8, Lutz 1-0, Team 2-0. Totals: 33-171. Greenville – Malachi Hyde 22-87, Dickens 13-85, Nick Solderich 6-27, Rudy Gentile 1-2, Team 1-(-1). Totals: 43-200. 

Receiving: GC – Lutz 8-94, Greer 4-17. Greenville – Jase Herrick 5-42, Noah Philson 1-3, Braydon Porter 1-4. 

Passing: GC – Hohman 12-for-19, 111 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT. Greenville – Solderich 7-for-14, 49 yards, 1 INT, Hyde 0-1. 

Interceptions: Grove City: Trey Reznor. Greenville – Hayne, Noah Philson. 

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