Week 5 | Milledgeville vs Orangeville
Milledgeville -
In a classic showdown where two teams not only were trying to improve to 4-1, they were also trying to stay in contention for a conference crown and get closer to becoming playoff eligible. With that in mind, there is no wonder as to why this was the Upstate Game of the Week, and the game would live up to the hype in the battle of the Ville's.
It was the visiting Broncos who would strike first, after both teams were forced to punt on their opening drives. Orangeville opened their second drive at the Milledgeville 45 yard line after recovering a Missile fumble. A Missile sack of Bronco QB Austin Guy would back the Broncos up 2 yards, but on the ensuing play it was Guy who would take a QB draw off the left side of the line and break through with a 47 yard scamper to the end zone to give the Broncos an early 6-0 lead with 8:22 still remaining in the 1st quarter.
The Broncos looked to be in business on their 3rd drive, as it began after once again recovering a Missile fumble, however 2 minutes and 7 yards later they were forced to punt. A shank punt only traveled only 12 yards, giving the Missiles prime real estate to start their fourth drive at their own 47 yard line. Milledgeville would gash away small yardage at a time, chewing up almost 5 minutes of clock, and would cash in at the 10:17 mark of the 2nd quarter to take an 8-6 lead after a successful 2 point try.
Forcing the Broncos into another quick 3 and out deep in their own territory, the Missiles would begin their next drive at the Bronco 26. With Bronco defense standing tall, the Missiles faced a 3rd and 7 when QB Jack Munz dropped back to pass and found Cayde Gusloff streaking up the left sideline for a 23 yard pitch and catch for the score. The 2 point try was no good, and the Missiles extended their lead to 14-6 with 6:26 remaining until the half.
After both teams would exchange punts, the Missiles would get the ball back on the Bronco 46 yard line with 1:40 to go before half. Behind runs from Jacob Hartje, Carson Boyer, and Nate Rahn, along with 2 pass receptions by Boyer, the Missiles were once again knocking on the door inside the Bronco 10 yard line. The Bronco defense would hold, and force Milledgeville to turn the ball over on downs at the Bronco 4 yard with just 7 seconds left on the clock to take a 14-6 lead into the half.
In the second half, the Broncos would receive the ball and would turn their first half field possession around, as they would march into Missile territory on their opening drive only to see it end at the Missile 30 on a turnover on downs. The Missiles would go back to work behind their run game and capitalized on a Boyer 37 yard TD run up the left sideline, and with the 2 point conversion good, the Missiles would take a controlling 22-6 lead with 7:23 to play in the 3rd, and into the 4th quarter.
The 4th quarter became the Broncos time, as their first drive of the final stanza began at their own 35 yard line. That is when Austin Guy began to take over the game, on the ground and through the air. A big first down run by Guy set up the Broncos at midfield. Then Guy went to the air, and found Caden Getz on a 49 yard TD pass down the right sideline to bring the Broncos within 10 after another failed 2 point try, leaving Milledgeville up 22-12 with 7:20 to play.
A very quick 3 and out for Milledgeville forced a punt, and the Broncos would begin their ensuing drive at their own 43 yard line. Once again it was Guy who would run his way to a Bronco first down just across midfield, but at the end of the play an unsportsmanlike penalty and ejection for Milledgeville brough more life to the Bronco offense. It would set up another G to G connection, as Guy connected with Getz again, this time from 24 yards out. Guy would run the 2 point try in himself to pull the Broncos with in 2 as Milledgeville clung to a 22-20 lead with 4:33 remaining.
But the Missiles had an answer, as 20 seconds later Nate Rahn bolted up the middle and through would be tacklers 53 yards to pay dirt. The ensuing 2 point try was good, taking the wind out of the sails of the Broncos as they pushed the lead to 30-20 with 4:13 to go.
The Broncos wouldn't go easy into the night, as they started their next drive at their own 45 yard line. Guy would connect with Breyton Schofield for 15 yards, then he followed that up with a 20 yard run of his own, setting up his 6 yard sprint to the end zone. Once again the 2 point try was good, and the Broncos trailed 30-28 with 2:24 to play.
Orangeville would force a punt and start their final drive at their own 49 yard line with 1:06 to go. Guy would take shots down the field to Schofield and Kleckler, but missed. Then he darted off on 2 run plays to gain 23 yards and set up camp at the Missiles 28 yard line with 26 seconds remaining. However the Bronco offense would go cold, as Guy would miss his next 3 targets and turned the ball over on downs with just 7 seconds remaining. The Missiles would go into victory formation and seal the 30-28 win in a great battle by both sides.
On the night, Orangeville would finish with 297 yards of total offense. Guy would lead the way with 24 rushes for 110 yards and 2 TD and went 7-21 for 178 yards and anther 2 scores. His leading target was Caden Getz, who hauled in 2 passes for 73 yards and 2 scores. Carter Kleckler added 3 more receptions for 58 yards. The Broncos would finish the night with 119 yards rushing.
Milledgeville was led Nate Rahn who rushed the ball 18 times for 82 yards and had 2 TD's. The Missiles would pick up another 77 yards on the ground by Carson Boyer on 7 attempts with 1 TD. Jack Munz led the passing attack going 3-8 for 34 yards with 1 TD, and had 9 rushes for 63 yards. Jacob Hartje picked up the tough yards, collecting 52 yards on 12 carries. Cayde Gusloff made his only reception count, as he hauled in 1 pass for 23 yards and a score. Milledgeville put up 310 total yards, gaining 276 yards on the ground.
Up Next:
Milledgeville (4-1) @ Warren (0-5) | Orangeville (3-2) @ Aquin (4-1)