Glenn's Tyler Clemons busts through a hole as Blair Keen and company converge. Clemons lead all rushers with 144 yards on 16 carries. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

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John Glenn Rebounds Against Garber 37-6

Cross-Town Rivals Both Headed to Playoffs With Identical 7-2 Records

October 26, 2008
By: John Keuvelaar

After losing to two top ranked teams in the last two weeks, John Glenn had a point to make. They made it Friday night by beating up on playoff-bound Garber in convincing fashion.

This is a big rivalry from cross-town schools. Signs and speeches filled each school's halls all week. Neighbors taunted neighbors. Co-workers taunted co-workers. Perhaps this was even more important for John Glenn. It could become redemption for the past two weeks and a chance to regain momentum and confidence leading into the playoffs.

For Garber, they were also looking to maintain momentum into the playoffs. Coming off a win giving them a co-championship, what better way to end a regular season then to beat John Glenn in front of the Duke home crowd.

So the stage was set.

Tyler Clemons is upended by Jake Hebert.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

A great example of the excellent blocking John Glenn gave to their running-backs.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Travis Britko and Jake Hebert converge on Jordan Schumann.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Brandon Wrzesinski carries out his fake.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Bodies were everywhere as the two teams fought through the night.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

John Glenn took the opening kickoff on their 37. Behind inspiring running by Tyler Clemons, they pounded their way to the Garber 5 before Jordan Schumann ran the ball around right end and into the end zone. With Ty Richards being out for the game, the Glenn replacement kicker was wide right and the Bobcats were on top 6-0.

As the saying goes, turnovers determine the outcome of big games. So true was it this night.

On Garber's first possession (and Andrew Aho's first run,) Aho was hit resulting in a fumble with John Glenn recovering on the Garber 44. The Bobcats went back to their punishing running game and 7 plays later, Brandon Wrzesinski ran it up the middle for a second Bobcat score. The two-point conversion try was unsuccessful, it was Glenn by 12-0.

Jimmy Cornejo got things going for the Dukes with a kickoff return to their 45. Then Garber mixed things up with a nice pass to Cornejo, a Hebert scrambling dump pass to Aho and pounding the left side of the Glenn line, the Dukes scored on an Andrew Aho run making it 12-6.

Things looked like they might be turning Garber's way as the ensuing kickoff was muffed into the end zone and returned to the Glenn 13. Garber then forced a three and out and following the Bobcat punt, Garber had the ball at midfield.

The bigger John Glenn defensive line took over putting pressure on the Dukes. Jake Hebert, looking to pass under pressure, was intercepted by Ryan LaFlure who returned it to the Garber 13. From there, Tyler Clemons busted it up the middle for another Bobcat touchdown and an 18-6 lead.

Garber fumbled on their next possession and John Glenn was back in business on their 45. The Garber defense held forcing another punt. When the punt snap was dropped and the Dukes pounced on the punter, things seemed to be looking up again for the Dukes. But a personal foul on the play not only erased good field position, it gave the ball back to John Glenn. The Bobcats made quick work of things as Jordan Schumann scored his second touchdown and put John Glenn up 24-6 at the half.

Steve Yax on a kick return.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

QB Richard Watson looks for room to run.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Chris Rochow and Andrew Aho have Richard Watson all tied up.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Classmates cheered on their Dukes.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

"Let's do the Time Warp Dance."
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

The second half started with Garber receiving the kickoff and having visions of getting back into the game. But after moving the ball 35 yards, another fumble had John Glenn re-seizing the momentum and looking to put an end to things early. Garber's defense rose up and stopped them forcing a punt.

But on the punt, Garber suffered another costly penalty, this time for illegal substitution and John Glenn retained possession. As they were driving toward the end zone, they too fumbled. But tonight the ball was bouncing the Bobcat way as the ball propelled forward to the one and was recovered by John Glenn. Tyler Clemons finished this drive off and with the extra point, John Glenn was in total control 31-6.

Things got even worse for Garber when quarterback Jake Hebert left with a hand injury on the next possession. This helped seal the Dukes fate for the night. John Glenn put in one more score in the fourth quarter as Brett Leavitt ran 11 yards for Glenn's final tally making the final 37-6.

Tyler Clemons lead all rushers with 144 yards on 16 carries for John Glenn while Andrew Aho was limited to 104 yards on 17 carries. Both teams finished the regular season at 7-2 and await their pairings for the playoffs.

Brandon Wrzesinski follows his lead blocker Tyler Clemons for big yardage.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Shane O'Mara makes a shoe string tackle on Jordan Schumann.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

This is an old fashion Bobcat power play as Brandon Wrzesinski follows fellow running-backs Tyler Clemons and Jordan Schumann.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Dominic Trogan side steps Eric Misiak for some needed yardage.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Domonic Trogan and Brett Leavitt collide as Trogan is on the way to his touchdown.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)