Week 3 | Galena vs River Ridge
Hanover -
In our NUIC crossover game, the Galena Pirates made the short jaunt over to Hanover to take on the River Ridge Wildcats. This game had a lot of interest, as it was seen as a very close matchup that could go either way. Both teams entered the game desperately needing a win to keep playoff hopes alive. Galena came into the night carrying a 13 game losing streak, while River Ridge entered with a 1-1 record.
Galena received the kick to start the game, and after an exchange of possessions, it was the Wildcats who would strike first. Starting the drive at their own 36 yard line, the Wildcats went to the ground game trying to establish some field position, but two passes from Jacob Speer to Ben Crist and Kam Kiley moved River Ridge into Galena territory. Then Crist would take a handoff to his left, found a gap, and ran down the left sideline as he found the endzone on a 34 yard TD run. The 2 point try failed, but River Ridge had the lead 6-0 with 4:51 left in the 1st quarter.
The score would remain the same through the 1st quarter, but just over the half way point of the 2nd quarter Galena had River Ridge pinned inside its own 5 yard line. The Wildcats were forced into a 4th and long, and elected wisely to punt, but the snap was high as Bryton Engle tried to do everything he could to get the kick off, but the punt was blocked and Galena recovered the punt in the endzone for a TD. The kick was good, and Galena was ahead with 6:29 left to go before halftime.
Once again the Wildcats were forced to punt, and pinned the Pirates at their own 36 yard line. Behind the legs of Peyton Bauer, the Pirates moved the ball into the red zone where Henry Anderson connected with Damian Stephanopoulos on a 11 yard TD reception. Once again the kick was good, as Galena extended their lead to 21-6 half way through the 3rd quarter.
River Ridge would put up one more score in the 4th quarter, as Speer found Kam Kliey in he endzone on a 2o yard pass play. The extra point try was no good as the Piratess walked away with a 21-12 win.
Galena finished the game with 160 yards of total offense, led by Kieran DuPlessis with 38 yards on 17 carries. Peyton Bauer added another 29 yards rushing, and Henry Anderson went 3-6 passing for 66 yards.
River Ridge had 77 yards of total offense with Ben Crist finishing the night with 45 yards rushing on 10 carries and Kam Kiley had 6 receptions for 80 yards. Jacob Speer was 10-23 passing for 115 yards.
Up Next:
Galena (1-2) @ Le-Win (3-0)
River Ridge (1-2) @ Warren (0-2)