2007 Football: Tigers spoil Bulldog conference title party with 22-20 victory

Princeton, which claimed both the district title and share of the Grand River Conference crown (with South Harrison) with the 22-20 victory, hosts Maysville tonight in a sectional clash featuring a pair of league teams riding hot streaks.

Gallatin finished 8-2 overall and 6-2 (3^rd place) in the GRC.

The Bulldogs played from behind all night long, and turnovers were the main culprit in a season-ending loss.

Princeton scored first on a 55-yard run by Morgan Duff early in the first quarter, but Gallatin answered when Stephen Wood ran up the gut 63 yards to the end zone. The Bulldogs could not complete a two-point conversion pass and trailed, 8-6.

With 3:30 left to play in the opening period, quarterback Troy Meinke hit Duff with a quick pass out of the backfield, which turned into a 21-yard score. Duff added his second conversion run that boosted the Tiger lead to 14-6.

One minute after the PHS score, Wood broke loose on a 56-yard run behind great blocking from the Bulldog line. Two plays later, quarterback Andy Ward dove over the pile for the TD. Wood rumbled in for the two-point conversion that knotted the score at 14-14.

Tiger scoring came to a close with a 30-yard pass completion from Meinke to fullback Brad Brundage with nine minutes left in the second quarter. Halfback Chris Parsons caught the conversion pass that again put pressure squarely upon the Bulldog offense.

Following an exchange of fumbles, Gallatin tried to punch one in late in the first half. Ward connected with Kevin Chadwick for a gain down to the Tiger 34. Wood picked up a first down and Croy ran for another with a 10-yard gain to the 22. An illegal motion penalty moved the ball back.

Facing third and 12, Ward tried to thread the needle over the middle to Chadwick, but lineback Mace Ormsby stepped up to intercept and end the threat.

Gallatin took the opening drive of the third quarter and marched down the field, only to fumble inside the red zone. The Bulldogs held the Tigers on their next series but it was a poor exchange of field position.

Ward ran for 45 yards down the Bulldog sideline to the Tiger 31. Facing fourth and three with 1:17 left in the third period, Ward hit Chadwick over the middle in a re-run of the same play tried earlier. This time Chadwick made the grab and walked untouched into the end zone.

Ward tried to sneak the ball between defenders for the two-point conversion, but the Tiger pass rush forced a quick and incomplete throw. Princeton nursed a 22-20 lead entering the final 12 minutes of action.

Both teams were visibly tiring under the weight of three quarters of physical pounding and body blows. The Tigers could not muster another scoring drive, even when presented field position inside Bulldog territory after a failed fourth and ten conversion try.

Gallatin’s offense was pinging down the stretch with both Wood and Ward nursing injuries in the backfield. A screen pass attempt to Derrick Teel gained nothing and gave the Tigers the ball with 3:06 left and an opportunity to run out the clock.

The Tigers were able to draw the Bulldog defense into the neutral zone and the penalty, with just over a minute remaining, produced a first down and effectively ended the contest.

Wood finished with 180 yards on 19 carries in his final game in a Bulldog uniform, giving him 1,619 yards on the season to go with 22 touchdowns. Ward rushed for 67 yards on 12 carries and completed three passes to Chadwick for 31 yards.

Corey Lee led the Dogs with 15 tackles and a forced fumble. Jacob Gienapp and Matt Atkinson each notched 12 tackles for Gallatin.

Princeton 22, Gallatin 20

Scoring Summary

Pri: Duff 55 yd. run (Duffy conversion).

Gal: Wood 63 yd. run (conversion failed).

Pri: Duff 21 yd. pass form Meinke (Duff conversion).

Gal: Ward 1 yd. run (Wood conversion).

Pri: Brundage 30 yd. pass from Meinke (Meinke to Parson).

Gal: Chadwick 24 yd. pass from Ward (conversion failed).

GHS Offensive Leaders

Rushing: Wood 19 carries for 180 yds., TD; Ward 12 carries for 67 yds., TD; Croy 7 carries for 30 yds. Passing: Ward 3 for 6, 31 yds. , TD, Int. Receiving: Chadwick 2 catches for 31 yds., TD.

GHS Defensive Leaders

Lee 15 tackles, forced fumble; Atkinson 12 tackles, Gienapp 12 tackles, Croy 8 tackles, Chadwick 7 tackles, Wood 7 tackles, Ward 5 tackles, Teel 5 tackles, Deustchman 5 tackles, fumble recovery; Brown 5 tackles.

GRC Standings — Week 10

Nov. 1 & 2 Results

Princeton 22, Gallatin 20
S. Harrison 54, Albany 0
Maysville 47, King City 16
Rock Port 53, Tarkio 0
Lathrop 33, Hamilton 7
Polo 33, Braymer 20

Nov. 7 Sectionals

Maysville (7-3) at Princeton (8-2)