Garber QB, Chris VanDriessche throws to the outside for a first down against Birch Run. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

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Turnovers Costly, Garber Falls to Birch Run

September 18, 2011       Leave a Comment
By: John Keuvelaar

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On a beautiful night for football, Birch Run invaded Essexville looking to get on track in the TVC. Garber was seeking to rebound from last weeks loss with it's potent passing attack. While quarterback Nathan McGuire was putting a charge into the Panther offense, Garber miscues foiled their efforts to respond leading to 25-0 Birch Run win.

Birch Run struck early to take a 6-0 lead. Receiving the opening kickoff, the Panthers utilized the spread offense to grind out first downs. Then McGuire hit Grant Childs in the flats. The swift receiver started down the sidelines before cutting back across the field for a 43 yard touchdown run.

Garber appeared ready to respond as they got their running game going with a couple first downs. But a costly penalty stopped the drive forcing a punt.

The Duke defense stopped the Panthers and soon the Dukes started another drive. But a fumble at midfield gave Birch Run good field position at Garber's 44 yard line and the Panthers were back in business. After moving the ball to the Duke 19, Birch Run got a second break of the game. McGuire fumbled the snap raising hope of a Duke turnover. But fate was on the Panther side tonight. When the Duke defense swarmed for the ball, McGuire picked it up racing around left end and scampering 19 yards for a second quarter score. When the kick sailed left Birch Run had a 12-0 lead.

After exchanging punts, Garber started at midfield and looked to put up a score before halftime. But a second fumble ended their drive putting the Panthers back in business. They drove down field eating up the clock before reaching the Duke 7. But Garber held tough stopping the drive and preserving a 12-0 score at halftime.

Garber's Wesley Asel battles with Birch Run's Tyler Sova to get to the ball carrier.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar) The second half showed a glimmer of hope for Garber when Josh Wreggelsworth nearly broke the kickoff return for touchdown. But a penalty erased much of the gain. Wesley Asel got the offense going with a strong off tackle run but a bobbled snap and a missed block later and the drive ended.

Nate McGuire got the Panthers moving again mixing a combination of his own runs with short out passes to drive Birch Run to Garber's 14. The Garber defense showed it was not ready to break shutting down the attack and keeping the Dukes within striking distance. But the momentum was short lived as soon, the Panthers were back driving toward the Duke end zone. Then McGuire ran up the middle breaking tackles racing 32 yards for a touchdown. A failed two point conversion made it 18-0.

Garber's best chance to score came in the fourth quarter. Sophomore signal caller Chris VanDriessche hit Josh Wreggelsworth down the right sideline in a crowd for a 40 yard strike. But when Wreggelsworth broke a tackle and started back across the field, he fumbled and Birch Run recovered thus dodging another bullet.

Half way through the final quarter, Birch Run scored the final touchdown. After Garber stopped them at midfield, the Panthers ran a fake punt with a screen pass. The play was good for a 43 yard touchdown and with the kick, Birch Run had a 25-0 victory. Nate McGuire led all rushers with 75 yards and a touchdown while also throwing for 137 yards and two scores.

Austin Sauter ran for 44 yards for Garber while junior Wesley Asel added 22. Asel also lead the Duke defense with a stellar performance making numerous key tackles to keep Birch Run from running away with the game.

Garber has little time to regroup as they take on a fierce rival in Millington next week at Essexville.

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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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