Wolverines Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
By EDDY GIFFORD
Sports Writer
Photo by Eddy Gifford – Demetrius Walker makes a big catch in Friday night’s action at Coosa where the Wolverines claimed a 44-28 win, shutting out the host in the second half. The Wolverines host Chattooga this week for Homecoming with game time set for 7:30 p.m.
The Dade County Wolverine football team traveled to Coosa Friday night to face the Eagles in a big region seven game. The winner will still be in the playoff mix, but the loser will almost certainly be eliminated.
Dade County got off to a fast start. With freshman Win Garmany starting at quarterback, he hit a wide-open Braydan Jones for a 95-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage. The extra point kick was good, and the Wolverines were up 7-0.
On Dade’s next possession, it took just three plays for Garmany to find Evan Koger on a 65-yard screen pass and the Wolverines were up 14-0 with 6:18 remaining in the first quarter.
The Eagles battled back and scored their first points of the game with 3:41 remaining in the first quarter to make it 14-7.
Early in the second quarter, Coosa intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown to tie the game 14-14.
A couple of minutes later, the Eagles got another pick six to take the lead 21-14 with 7:55 remaining in the first half.
On the Wolverines’ next series, Garmany left the game with an injury. He was replaced by Bryson Shrader who finished the game and was impressive in leading the Wolverines.
With 4:50 remaining in the first half, Shrader threw to Demetrius Walker for a touchdown to tie the game at 21-21.
Just 30 seconds later, Nate Hurst caught a batted ball in the end zone for another Wolverine touchdown and they led 28-21.
On the kickoff after the score, the Eagles returned it 86-yards for a touchdown, tying the game 28-28.
Halftime was a welcome sight for both teams as the wild first half ended.
Things settled down in the third quarter, and with 3:54 remaining, Carter Bradley kicked a 35-yard field goal to give Dade County the lead 31-28.
Just before the end of the third quarter, Shrader threw a touchdown pass to number 13 to put the Wolverines on top 38-28.
The final score of the game came with 5:10 remaining in the fourth quarter when Carter Christiansen scored on a long run to put the Wolverines on top 44-28.
The Wolverine offense was led by Christiansen with three carries for 82-yards and a touchdown; Win Garmany five for eight passing for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions; and Shrader eight of 18 for 174-yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
On defense, Christiansen had 12 tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception; Jace Anderson had 12 tackles, two pass breakups; Ryker Stanley had six tackles, two assists, one tackle for loss, one quarterback pressure, three pass breakups; Evan Avans had six tackles, three assists, one quarterback pressure; H Garmany had five tackles, one tackle for loss, three assists; Gabriel Yarbrough five tackles, seven assists, one caused fumble; and Aidan Kerns five tackles, two assists.
It was a big win for the Wolverines as they shut out the Eagles in the second half, but it was also a costly win as senior Evan Koger was lost for the season with a broken foot; Jordan Castellanos was injured and was to be checked out on Monday; Win Garmany may be cleared by Friday; Ryker Stanley has two broken fingers but will play. Look for Christiansen and Anderson to split time at running back.
This week, the Wolverines will celebrate Homecoming when they host the Chattooga Indians with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
