Cartel Brooks breaks GHS single-season scoring record

Although the sky was clear and the field was dry, the Galion Tigers were victimized by thunder and lightning in the opening round of the Division IV football playoffs Saturday night at Unckrich Stadium.

Visiting Pemberville Eastwood — using a blend of power and speed — rushed for 357 yards and never punted in a 35-6 triumph over the Orange-and-Blue. The loss ended Galion’s dream season that included the first perfect regular-season record for the program since 1985 and the undisputed Northern Ohio League championship.

“What can you say?” a disappointed Galion head coach Chris Hawkins said after the defeat. “It’s always tough to lose. And, I don’t at all mean to take anything away from Eastwood because they are a very good football team. I don’t think the difference tonight was so much talent as it was experience. I under-estimated the experience factor.”

This is the third year in a row the Eagles (9-2) have made it to the postseason. With a senior class of 15 players — nine of them starters — Eastwood looked like a squad that had played on the big stage before while the Tigers struggled mightily.

“When we didn’t make a couple of plays early, our heads went down,” Hawkins continued. “I think the first two series were the keys. I wish we could’ve got a couple of breaks early, but that just didn’t happen.”

Galion got the ball first. After Ryan Harsh returned the opening kickoff 17 yards to the Tigers’ 33-yardline, Cartel Brooks busted loose for a 19-yard gain on the first offensive play for the locals.

Two plays later, Brooks broke through the line of scrimmage and appeared to be on his way to another long run. However, an Eastwood defender came up with an ankle tackle, limiting the gain to seven yards. One play later, the Tigers were punting.

The Eagles — who averaged nearly 269 yards a game rushing during the regular season — went on a 15-play, 90-yard touchdown drive in their first series that chewed up almost eight minutes.

Fullback Pernell Conner — a 5’10”, 215-pound bruiser of a fullback — crashed over the goal line from just a few inches out on a fourth down play. Taylor Depew kicked the extra point to make it 7-0.

Conner hammered the hosts for 52 yards on 10 carries in the series, while Cody Seifert — a state-qualifying sprinter in track — used his speed to get around the ends for 19 yards on four attempts.

The Tigers went three-and-out on their next series. After a 12-yard punt return by Seifert put the ball on Galion’s 37, it took the Eagles just six plays to score. The big plays were a 14-yard swing pass to Seifert and a nine-yard TD scamper on a sweep by him.

Depew’s second of five successful PAT kicks made it 14-0.

With 3:20 remaining in the first half, the Eagles again had the ball on Galion’s 37 after a seven-yard Seifert punt return.

Just :50 showed on the scoreboard when quarterback Clayton Ruch threw a nine-yard TD strike to Jake Rogers. A Depew kick upped it to 21-0, the score at intermission.

Eastwood made it 28-0 less than four minutes into the second half as shifty wingback Tony Tijerina broke loose for a 19-yard six-point romp. Again, Depew tacked on a PAT.

Following a three-and-out by the Tigers, the Eagles embarked on an eight-play, 64-yard touchdown drive that featured Conner getting 33 yards on three carries between the tackles and Seifert totaling 26 stripes on three sweeps, including a seven-yard paydirt dash by the latter at the 3:08 mark.

The Orange-and-Blue scored their only points when Brooks burst into the endzone on a five-yard run with 2:37 remaining. A 67-yard pass to Brooks from Jack Nicholls set up the score. The extra point try failed.

“I’m so thankful for the support we got from the community this season,” said Hawkins. “From a personal standpoint, I’m more hurt by this loss for our seniors, their parents and the community.”

The largest crowd at the stadium in a couple of decades included the Galion grandstands being full with Orange-and-Blue faithful.

Despite the loss, Hawkins reflected on what his troops accomplished this year. “I love these kids like they’re my own sons,” the father of three daughters said. “I told the kids after the game that it’s gonna hurt for a while, but nobody can take away a 10-0 (regular) season and the NOL championship. I’m so very proud of this group.”

Final statistics had the Eagles rushing for 357 yards on 63 carries and Ruch completing 3 of 8 passes for 44 stripes. He was intercepted once by Andrew Nicholls.

Tijerina ran for 80 yards on 13 carries and Seifert, 78 on 14 rushes.

Conner led Eastwood in rushing during the regular season with 942 yards and Seifert had 941.

The Tigers could muster just 166 yards in total offense. Brooks rushed for 77 stripes on 12 carries, Antwan Wallace had nine on two attempts, Jack Nicholls ran for six on six tries, and Harsh had no yards on two carries.

Jack Nicholls completed only 3 of 15 passes for 86 yards and was intercepted twice. Three passes he threw were dropped.

Andrew Nicholls caught two tosses for 19 markers and Brooks had the 67-yard reception.

Brooks’ touchdown gave him a GHS?record 152 points in a season, eclipsing the old mark of 150 established 24 years ago by Rob Monnett.

Brooks finished the season with 1,359 yards rushing, the second best in school history. Monnett racked up 1,680 markers in 14 games in 1985.

And speaking of records ... three-year starting linebacker Rich Ulmer had a game-high 23 tackles against the Eagles, upping his career total to 449 — the most in NOL history.

TIGER BITES: A special roar for volunteers Tony Durtschi (statistics) and Heath Watkins (videographer). Your efforts are very much appreciated, gentlemen.