GALION — The Matt Dick era is underway for the Galion High School football team.
The Tigers rewarded the Tigers’ first-year coach with a convincing 49-7 victory over Bucyrus on Friday at Heise Park.
Unckrich Stadium was electric as the always anticipated high school football season began. From the opening kickoff, Galion dominated. And once the Tigers got the lead, they never looked back.
The Galion offensive line showed a great deal of improvement against the Redmen. Quarterback Chase Cooke had plenty of time to make his decisions and execute the plays necessary to ignite the Tigers. The Galion faithful in the stands cheered them throughout the game. The first touchdown of the 2016 season came less than three minutes into the game on a quarterback keeper by Cooke.
The Tigers’ defense was too much for the Redmen to handle and held Bucyrus to three-and-out on their first two series. After a short punt, Galion took over from the Bucyrus 38-yard line. Caleb Ivy turned the first play from scrimmage into a 38-yard rushing touchdown. Connor Moreton added his second PAT for 14-0 lead.
On Bucyrus’ third drive, Harrison Ivy intercepted the ball to end a Redmen scoring attempt. Ryan Talbott capped that drive a with a 39-year rushing TD to put the Tigers up 21-0 with 2:36 left in the first quarter. A potential fourth first-quarter score — a 68-yard reception by for Tanner Crisman — was negated by a penalty.
The Tigers didn’t slow down in the second quarter as Galion scored quickly on another rushing TD by Talbott. The fifth score for the Tigers came after a short punt from Bucyrus. Ivy scooped up the ball and returned it 28 yards for the TD. Moreton added another PAT,making the score 35-0.
Garrett Kuns gave Galion its final score of the first half on a 29-yard TD reception from Cooke and the Tigers led 42-0.
The second half started with a continuous clock rule due to the point differential and to speed up play. Picking up right where he left off, Ivy scoring again, this time on a 65-yard run. Moreton it all seven of his PATs.
Bucyrus scored with about 4:30 to go in the game to thwart the shutout.
