WOODWARD — A steady rain throughout the first quarter created sloppy conditions that limited the offenses of both Woodward-Granger and visiting Martensdale-St. Marys in their non-district season-opener Friday.
Both teams struggled to find any offensive consistency, but a short drive late in the second quarter that resulted in the only points of the game proved enough to lift the host Hawks to an 8-0 victory.
Woodward-Granger’s Johnnie Morgan fell on a muffed punt deep in Blue Devil territory midway through the second quarter. The ensuing drive stalled inside the five-yard line, but M-SM could do little with the ball and punted it away, giving the Hawks excellent field position for the second consecutive possession.
This time the green-and-gold cashed in, as junior Tanner Vermaas bulled into the end zone from two yards out late in the half. Vermaas added the conversion run, giving the hosts an 8-0 lead.
A strong defensive effort from the Hawks limited the Blue Devils to just 99 total yards. The guests ran for 56 yards, with quarterback Trevor Dooley 3-of-9 for 43 yards through the air.
Austin Scharlau had four solo and six assisted tackles to lead the defense, with Drew Jacobson adding three solo and four assisted stops while Josh Saak contributed one sole and five assisted denials. Jacobson and Saak each recorded a forced fumble as well.
Vermaas led the Hawks on the ground with 120 yards on 26 carries. W-G finished with 166 yards rushing, with quarterback Brendan Bird incomplete on his only pass attempt of the game.
Woodward-Granger will visit Madrid Friday for a non-district battle before traveling to Truro September 11 for their Class 1A District 8 opener with Interstate-35.
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WOODWARD-GRANGER 8, MARTENSDALE-ST. MARYS 0
at Woodward, Aug. 28
Team 1 2 3 4 — Final
M-SM 0 0 0 0 — 0
W-G 0 8 0 0 — 8
Scoring by Quarters
Second Quarter
W-G — T. Vermaas 2 run (Vermaas run)
