Friday, September 28, 2018, Garrison High School –
(More Game Photos) The Garrison Bulldogs Varsity Football team opened their District 11 Class 2A conference action with a convincing 35-15 win over the visiting Joaquin Rams. Joaquin was undefeated after going 4-0 in non-conference action. The Rams had not given up a single score before facing Garrison and had outscored opponents 144-0. The Bulldogs season record now stands at 3-2. They are on a three game winning streak and 1-0 in district action.
Garrison’s first offensive drive stalled but they were able to pin the Rams deep with a deep punt by junior Chace Rodriguez. The Rams took over at their 14-yard line with nine minutes remaining in the first quarter. Joaquin’s first drive only netted five yards in three plays so they punted the ball back to the Bulldogs who retook possession near midfield with 7:15 left in the opening frame.
Garrison’s second drive took ten plays and covered 48 yards. Junior Bulldogs runningback Sebastion Porter was able to break into the endzone on the final play of the drive for the first touchdown of the game from three yards out. Chace Rodriguez kicked the Bulldog’s extra point and Garrison led 7-0 with 4:34 left in the first period.
Joaquins’ second drive moved backwards until Bulldog Dallas Porter intercepted a pass on third down and Garrison took over possession at their 43-yard line with three minutes still left in the opening frame. GHS wasted no time and they deployed an 8-play, 53-yard scoring drive which was capped off by a 17-yard touchdown reception by senior receiver Austin Colle with 1:24 left in the first stanza. Another successful extra point kick gave the Bulldogs a 14-0 advantage.
Joaquin fumbled the ball back to the Bulldogs at the start of the second quarter after a long 43-yard run by Connor Bragg had taken the ball down to the Bulldogs red zone. Garrison took over the football at their 11-yard line and marched it 89 yards for a score in a 13-play drive which was finished off with anther Sebastion Porter 3-yard scoring run. An extra point kick gave GHS a 21-0 lead with 8:20 left in the first half.
Disaster struck Joaquin at the beginning of the second half when they fumbled the ball and Jakedric Watts scooped up the football and raced 60 yards for a Garrison score. GHS took a 28-0 lead at the 9:44 mark of the third quarter.
Joaquin scored their first touchdown of the contest when Ian Shahan broke into the endzone on a 1-yard touchdown run with 6:16 left in the third quarter. The Rams pulled to with three touchdowns and cut the GHS lead to 28-7 after Ram Jesus Bravo made good on an extra point kick conversion.
Watts gave Garrison a 35-7 lead after he scored on a 60-yard run to end the third period.
Ram Gunner Nelson scored the game’s final touchdown with a 24-yard run with slightly over two minutes remaining in the contest. The Rams made a 2-point conversion on a keeper run which put the game’s final tally at 35-15 for the Garrison win.
Garrison held an 18-7 advantage in first downs gained. Garrison rushed 20 times for 268 yards. Joaquin gained 197 yards rushing on 15 carries. The Rams completed 1 of 4 passing attempts for 12 yards and had one pass intercepted. Garrison was 2 of 3 passing tries for 25 yards. Garrison held the advantage for first downs, gaining 17 and allowing the Rams 8.
Joaquin now stands at 4-1 overall and 0-1 for District 11 2A play. They will have a bye week and will next host Linden-Kildare, at Rams Stadium, on Friday, October 12, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. The Linden-Kildare Tigers are 1-0 in conference play after defeating Harleton 57-8 on Friday.
Garrison will face Linden-Kildare next Friday, October 5, 2018, at Linden-Kildare High School’s Tigers Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
