MARION — The Galion Tigers football team opened up their 2017 Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference schedule on the road against the Pleasant Spartans on Friday.
Galion suffered their first loss of the season, falling to Pleasant by a final tally of 45-21. The Tigers are now 3-1 overall and begin the conference portion of their year at 0-1.
Pleasant scored early and often to jump out to a large, 21-7 lead after the first quarter. Galion’s lone score of the opening frame came on an 80-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Harrison Ivy to Takoda Crisman. This was the only time the duo would connect on the evening and was the first of two Ivy touchown throws. Isaiah Alsip put the extra-point through the uprights to tie the game at that particular time. The Spartans would score on their next two drives to take the two-score advantage into the second quarter.
Three touchdowns and a field goal later for the home team and Galion found themselves trailing at the half; 45-7.
After both teams failed to score in the third frame, Ivy would connect with Alsip for a 55-yard touchdown pass in the final quarter to cut into the Pleasant lead. Alsip put the extra-point through and the score stood at 45-14. At the tail end of the game, reserve quarterback Elias Middleton entered the game and would score the Tigers’ final touchdown on a one-yard QB draw. Dominic Pittman tacked on the PAT and the game reached its eventual final score of 45-21 in favor of the Spartans.
On the evening, Galion tallied just 239 yards of total offense (196 passing, 43 rushing) on 45 plays.
Ivy finished the game at 6/13 through the air for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Middleton attempted just one pass and it was caught by Trevor O’Brien for 25 yards.
Other offensive stats for the Tigers were: Takoda Crisman- 1 catch, 80 yards, TD; Alsip- 1 catch, 55 yards, TD; Gavin Pennington- 1 catch, 21 yards; Gage Lackey- 1 catch, 8 yards; Middleton- 2 catches, 7 yards and Nakoma Breedlove- 9 carries, 46 yards.
Galion’s defense gave up a total of 362 yards on 39 plays (309 rushing, 53 passing) on Friday at Pleasant.
The Tigers will look to bounce back next Friday when they host the River Valley Vikings in MOAC play.
