32 Josh Pierson goes air borne for Garber's second touchdown. Pierson carried the ball 32 times for almost 150 yards in a heroic effort. (All Photos by John A. Keuvelaar)

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Garber Flashes to Early Lead But Long Strikes Keep Tawas in Playoffs

Tawas Faces Standish-Sterling , the Only Team They Lost to This Season

October 28, 2007       Leave a Comment
By: Guest Columnist

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The Essexville Garber Dukes held the Tawas Area Braves on the ground but lost the air war to bow out of the Division 5 playoffs 28-13.

Garber came in with a respectable 6-4 record and a top passer, Randon Henika, (9 TDS) along with running firepower from Josh Pierson and Andrew Aho.

But Aho was injured early in the first period and Pierson was forced to be the workhorse, toting the pigskin 32 times and gaining a commendable 4.7 yards per carry.

However, Pierson's heroics weren't enough as the 8-1 Braves rolled up 440 yards, more than half of them on four big plays.

After Tawas fumbled on the opening drive and the Dukes recovered on the two yard line, Pierson crashed over on a short run for the first of two TDs.

Tawas responded with Shaun Jordan taking a pass from sophomore quarterback Jesse Swiek and scoring from 84 yards out on third and 26.

The scrappy Essexville runner got another score in the second quarter but the P.A.T. failed and the Dukes took a 13-7 lead into the locker room.

The Dukes appeared to have the game under control right in the opening drive of the second half, marching from their own 33 to the one yard line of the Braves. But their attempt to score was foiled by a procedure penalty and a stray field goal try.

Tawas, with Swiek and Eric Stec gaining most of the ground, put together two crushing drives to put the game out of reach.

The Braves will try to repeat against Standish-Sterling in the second playoff round Nov. 2, with game site yet to be announced.

The only loss the Panthers suffered during the season being a 26-20 count to Tawas on Sept. 21. Standish Sterling has racked up 401 points to 123 for opponents while Tawas has scored 325 to 124 for opponents.###

54 Zack Deary stops Tawas' 22 Alex Verlac in the first quarter .
(MyBayCity Photo by John A. Keuvelaar)

32 Josh Pierson fights for tough yards as he did all night .
(MyBayCity Photo by John A. Keuvelaar)

7 Randon Henika throw one of his 23 passes on the night .
(MyBayCity Photo by John A. Keuvelaar)

32 Josh Pierson puts a move on Tawas' 1 Jared Coffin.
(MyBayCity Photo by John A. Keuvelaar)

Garber fans cheer on their Dukes in the rain .
(MyBayCity Photo by John A. Keuvelaar)

32 Josh Pierson goes over the top for this first quarter first down .
(MyBayCity Photo by John A. Keuvelaar)

7 Randon Henika tries to elude Tawas' 24 Tyler Klenow .
(MyBayCity Photo by John A. Keuvelaar)

32 Josh Pierson makes a hard cut to gain important yardage.
(MyBayCity Photo by John A. Keuvelaar)

Garber's 43 Shane O'Mara puts a big hit on Tawas' 22 Alex Verlac .
(MyBayCity Photo by John A. Keuvelaar)

33 Justin Zielinski catches this slant pattern for a Duke first down .
(MyBayCity Photo by John A. Keuvelaar)

32 Josh Pierson shows his trademark no quit effort in this one of his 32 carries for 151 yards .
(MyBayCity Photo by John A. Keuvelaar)

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