Week 3: Orangeville vs Galena
Orangeville -
With two teams that were looking to make a statement heading into week 3, Orangeville and Galena played in a defensive slug-fest all afternoon. The Broncos were looking for their 2nd straight win, while the Pirates needed to get their first win coming off some tough losses. This game on paper looked like a great game to open up the conference schedule, and it didn't live that down if you like defensive football.
Right off the bat, Galena opened the game with the ball, and the first play of the game Peyton Bauer opened up with an 8 yard gain. Right at the end of his run he would fumble the ball away to the Broncos right at midfield. On the very next play, Orangeville's Carter Kleckler would rip off a 27 yard run to put the Broncos in Galena territory. A few plays later, after more runs by Kleckler and Garret Rodebaugh, it was Rodebaugh who would find the endzone from 3 yards out and put Orangeville on the board. The 2 point try failed, and Orangeville had the lead 6-0.
Galena would begin to move the ball on their next possession, but after some big yardage from Bauer and Duilio Moctezuma, the Pirates would fumble the ball away again, just their 4th play of the game, at the Orangeville 15 yard line. In the 2nd quarter, Galena would get inside the Orangeville 30 yard line, but would fumble the ball away again, this time with underr 2 minutes until halftime. The Broncos would carry the 6-0 lead into half.
Orangeville would receive the ball to open the 2nd half, but a lot of great defensive play would continue. Late in the 3rd quarter, Galena quarterback Henry Anderson would step back to throw, but Orangeville's Rodebaugh would step in front of it for Galena's 4th turnover of the game with 2 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter. Just over a minute later, as Orangeville was trying to extend their lead, Rodebaugh fumble at the 1 yard line would be recovered by the Pirates.
Galena would put together a clock chewing drive that would end at midfield with 7:24 left in the game after Galena turned the ball over for the 5th time in the game. Moving into the I formation, the Broncos would go to the ground behind Rodebaugh and Kleckler, their 2 work horses on the day, and get deep into Galena territory. The Broncos would stall out at the Pirate 16 yard line, but Zach Baker would come on and drill a 33 yard field goal with 3 minutes left in the game to put Orangeville up 9-0.
Orangeville would stuff Galena, and then run out the clock to conserve the 9-0 win over the Pirates. With the win, Orangeville improves to 2-1 on the season, and will hit the road to Pecatonica to take on the Du-Pec Rivermen. For Galena, they drop to 0-3 to start the season, and they will return home to take on the Stockton Blackhawks.
On the day, Orangeville finished with 28 yards passing and 128 yards rushing, for a total of 156 yards. The Broncos were led by Carter Kleckler, who had 88 yards rushing on 22 attempts, and had 3 receptions for 29 yards. Garret Rodebaugh would finish the day with 48 yards rushing on 18 attempts, the lone TD of the day, and an interception. In the passing game, Jake Doyle was 4-10 passing for 28 yards.
The Pirates finished the day with 13 yards passing, 114 yards rushing, for a total of 127 yards. The Pirates were led by Peyton Bauer, who had 61 yards rushing on 10 carries for the day. Duilio Moctezuma chipped in with 30 yards on 5 carries, and Damian Stephanopoulos had 17 yards rushing on 5 attempts. Henry Anderson was 2-10 passing for 13 yards.