Garber's Ryley Henika races up field on this kickoff return. (All MyBayCity Photos by John Keuvelaar)
Garber's Comeback Falls Short In Loss to Flint Beecher
Penalty Erases Go Ahead Touchdown
September 11, 2011
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By: John Keuvelaar
It didn't take long for Garber to find themselves in an uphill battle against Flint Beecher. But the determined Dukes kept fighting off adversity all night as they kept climbing that mountain. However, when an apparent go ahead touchdown was erased due to a controversial penalty, the blow was more than they could overcome as Beecher came away with a 26-16 non-conference win.
Beecher took an early lead thanks in large part to the running of senior running back Jimmel Fleming. After nearly breaking the opening kickoff for a touchdown, it only took him and the Buccaneer offense three plays to find the end zone. A missed extra point left the score at 6-0.
Neither team could muster any offense for the rest of the quarter as Garber struggled to run the ball and Flint went to the air with little success.
The lackluster play continued in the second quarter for both teams as they exchanged punts. The big blow came to Garber early on when starting quarterback, Chris VanDriessche was hit while passing the ball injuring his arm. While loosing their starting quarterback, it seemed to challenge the team as the Garber offense came alive. Senior Brandon Loomis took over at quarterback and with the spread offense, started moving the ball. Running back Wesley Asel joined in the senior leadership as he powered a 16 yard run then later caught a key 18 yard strike over the middle to move the ball from the Duke 27 to the Beecher 10. Then a fumble ended the Duke drive and challenged the Beecher squad.
Beecher quarterback Antuan Burks brought life into the Buccaneer offense by connecting on quick out passes to get his offense moving. A key scramble for big yardage moved the ball into Garber territory then moments later, the senior signal caller broke containment around right end and scrambled for a touchdown. A two point conversion made it 14-0.
With new found offensive confidence and spurned on by a good kickoff return, the Garber offense immediately responded. Taking possession with just over a minute to play, Loomis lead an air attack that quickly moved the ball downfield. Key strikes to Wesley Asel over the middle and Ryley Henika on a slant pattern put the ball on the 5 yard line with mere seconds to play. Then Loomis threaded a pass to heavily covered Connor Kwapiszewski in the middle of the end zone whereby the senior receiver made a clutch grab for a Duke touchdown. Drew Piotrowski's extra point sent Garber into halftime down 14-7 but more importantly, with momentum.
Chris VanDriessche hands off to Kyle Roberts.
Wesley Asel puts the pads on Beecher's Jimmel Fleming.
Garber's Joshua Wreggelsworth nearly intercepts the ball as he also dumps receiver Eric Cooper.
Chris VanDriessche passes to Travis Meyers while Cole Martens protects.
The charge of the light brigade.
QB Brandon Loomis fires a pass to the flats over the outstretched hands of Jequarius French.
Ryley Henika takes it down the sidelines before being forced out of bounds.
Austin Sautter rushes through the hole made by Cole Martens and Wesley Asel.
The Garber defense takes down Jimmel Fleming.