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www.mybaycity.com September 11, 2011
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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       1 Comments
By: John Keuvelaar

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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.


Garber opened the second half receiving the ball. After getting good field position near midfield, the Dukes started moving the ball. A short slant pass to Tyler Schroeder turned into a big gainer as he broke several tackles and helped move the ball deep into Buccaneer territory. But when a third down snap sailed over the head of Loomis, the Dukes were forced to punt.

After the Duke defense shut down Flint, Garber quickly moved the ball downfield again. Loomis hit Henika down the sidelines to the 12 yard line. When the Beecher defense stiffened, Garber turned to kicker Drew Piotrowski for points. The strong legged sophomore booted a 37 yard field goal that had plenty of distance to spare making the score 14-10.

Strategy dictated not to kick it deep to the dangerous Jimmel Fleming and that is just what Garber tried. However the squib kick rolled through the Beecher return team and was picked up by Fleming. He barely returned the ball when he was met by a swarming Duke team. But the senior returner kept his legs moving breaking tackles and suddenly emerged from the pile to race down the field for a touchdown. Garber stopped the extra point attempt and Beecher was leading 20-10.

Garber again responded by moving the ball downfield thanks in part to another big pass to Henika. But a timely quarterback sack stalled the drive and Fleming and company took over. The speedy back ran off tackle, bounced outside and headed down the sidelines destined for a long touchdown run. Senior linebacker Wesley Asel refused to give up as he kept pursuit down the sidelines and when Fleming looked to make a move on the closing defensive back, Asel nailed him from behind at the Garber 35. The play showed why you never give up as the Garber defense held and moments later, the snap on a punt sailed over the punter's head and Garber was in business on the Beecher 40.

Loomis wasted no time as he found a streaking Henika down the right sidelines. Under double coverage, the senior receiver jumped between the two defenders, snagged the ball then raced by them for the final 10 yards and a score. Beecher then blocked the extra point and the lead was now down to 20-16. Garber could now see the top of the mountain they were climbing.

Then came the turning point in the game. With the Garber defense all fired up, Flint's quarterback rolled to his right but was forced back across the field. As he threw the ball, he was hit. The fluttering ball was intercepted by Connor Kwapiszewski who ran it down the sideline, breaking tackles and finding the end zone. As the Garber players and bench erupted in glee, two flags laid on the field. One call was against Beecher for holding and the other was against Garber for roughing the passer. The touchdown was nullified and Beecher retained the ball, down played over. Flint then turned to Fleming and ground the ball down field eating up clock. Finally they punched it in making it 26-16.

Garber got the ball back but being down by 10 with little time remaining, Beecher let the dogs out sacking Loomis and with that, Garber's hopes of a last minute comeback.

On the night, Jimmel Fleming rushed for 169 yards on 20 carries. Almost as damaging was his kickoff returns including one for a touchdown and the opening kickoff that was returned deep into Garber territory. QB Antuan Burks passed for 88 yards on 10 of 15 throwing but more importantly he was able to keep drives going with his scrambling ability including adding a touchdown.

Brandon Loomis threw for 174 yards on 10 of 20 throwing and 2 touchdowns. Ryley Henika caught 6 of those balls for 106 yards and a touchdown.

Wesley Asel lead the Duke defense with 11 tackles, none more important than a touchdown saving one in the fourth quarter. Joshua Wreggelsworth helped out with 8 tackles as well.

Garber returns home this Friday as they take on always touch Birch Run in TVC action.


Joshua Wreggelsworth takes down Eric Cooper.


The loose ball draws lots of attention.


Austin Sautter knocks away a would be touchdown from Beechers' Terrill Thornton.


Wesley Asel takes the ball around right end.


Tyler Schroeder breaks a tackle for good yardage after the catch.


Austin Sautter breaks free for big yardage.


Another big Schroeder punt.


Ryley Henika hauls in the pass under double coverage for a 40 yard touchdown.


The Boys celebrate a big score.


Joshua Wreggelsworth makes a touchdown saving tackle.


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John Keuvelaar

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

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