Garber Dukes Outlast North Branch, 21-14.

September 20, 2009       Leave a Comment
By: John Keuvelaar

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When you are fighting for a conference title, every game is big. And big is the best way to describe North Branch. Coach Schwarz noted that man for man; they matched up bigger than us. But as the saying goes, the bigger they are, the harder they fall as Garber controlled most of the game holding off a last ditch effort to defeat North Branch, 21-14.

Garber set the tone early. Taking the opening kick off, the Dukes marched right down the field featuring the running of Dominic Trogan. Before the Broncos knew what hit them, Trogan was taking the pitch around left end for a three yard touchdown. The extra point attempt hit the upright keeping the score, 6-0.

The Duke defense completely shut down the Bronco offense in the first half which featured a talented 6'3" quarterback in Doug Griffin. Early in the second quarter, Garber was back knocking at the Bronco door. The North Branch defense answered the call as on fourth down, they stopped Duke QB Lee Madziar just short of the end zone.

North Branch got their first break. On their first play from the one, a missed handoff resulted in a fumble. As Garber dove for the ball, it bounced back up to Griffin who burst through the whole for a big gain to get them some breathing room. Working out of the shotgun, the Broncos used good ball fakes to get their running game going and moved down field. Late in the quarter, Garber stopped North Branch deep in their territory.

After running for a first down and some breathing room, Garber went to their two minute offense and air attack. Madziar's pin point passing to receivers Travis Britko and Todd Walraven helped quickly move the ball down field. Then fullback David Laskowski powered it in from the three yard line then took the extra point around left end for the two point conversion and a 14-0 halftime lead.

Garber received the second half kick off but was unable to move the ball. Lightning stuck for North Branch on their first possession. QB Doug Griffin faked the ball up the middle. While the Duke defense was nailing the runner, Griffin ran around right end and 65 yards for a touchdown. With the extra point, North Branch was back in the game 14-7.

Garber struck back in the fourth quarter. Getting the defensive match up they were looking for, Lee Madziar hit a wide open Todd Walraven down the sidelines. Walraven hauled the ball in, made some moves and sprinted into the end zone for a 55 yard score putting Garber up 21-7.

North Branch came right back. Moving the ball down field, Griffin punched it in from the 3 narrowing the margin to 21-14. Then the Broncos recovered their onside kick and were back in action with under three minutes to play.

Griffin literally put the team on his back as the senior signal caller passed and ran the team down field. Aided by a roughing the passer penalty, the Broncos were inside the 10 yard line with under a minute to play. Griffin ran around right end and breaking tackles, worked down to the one yard line before disaster struck. Straining for the end zone, Griffin was hit jarring the ball loose and as it squirted out of the corner of the end zone, their comeback hopes and possibly title hopes with it. Garber was awarded the ball on the 20 yard line and ran out the clock for a 21-14 victory.

Garber's Dominic Trogan led all rushers with 132 yards on 31 carries while Lee Madziar riddled the air for 186 yards on 10 for 14 throwing.

North Branch's Doug Griffin ran for 102 yards on 14 carries while adding 79 yards through the air on 9 for 16 passing.

Garber takes on Millington next week at Garber. This game has conference title implications on it with both teams entering the conference on top of the TVC East. Millington will be ready with revenge on their mind after tying with Garber for the TVC crown last year then being knocked out of the playoffs by Garber.

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John Keuvelaar
John Keuvelaar is a college student at Midwest Photography Workshops and Delta College. More from John Keuvelaar

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