By James Howell Jr./For Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD — Typically at this point in the high school football season you are matched up with a team that knows you all too well.
On Friday night, the Greenfield-Central Cougars (3-2) did not face this situation. Instead, they were tasked with meeting a team that they, nor any team in the area, had ever faced.
The Fort Loramie Redskins (2-3), a Division VII team from western Ohio, traveled to Hancock Health Stadium for a meeting of strangers.
The Cougars, faced with the unique challenge, and defended their home field 28-18.
The first quarter was largely a feeling out process for both teams offensively.
“The first quarter was a lot of just feeling things out for us and them,” Cougars head coach Travis Nolting said. “They’re a state contender at their level in Ohio. We knew they were tough, but not exactly how tough. For a game that didn’t come together until Wednesday, we took care of business early.”
The Cougars’ ever-ready rushing attack was able to make some progress. despite the lack of knowledge of the Fort Loramie defense. In the waning moments of the first quarter, they drove the ball to inside the 10-yard line, but a mishandled snap ended momentum entirely.
On the fumble recovery, the Redskins returned the ball 54 yards into Cougars territory.
Fort Loramie put the first points on the board in the second quarter with a 19-yard pass.
The first score seemingly opens the floodgates for both offenses as 26 points were put on the board between the two before halftime.
Joey Roland put the Cougars on the board first with a 31-yard run.
Following a second Redskins touchdown, the Cougars used a rarely used passing play to catch their foe off guard. Josh VanOsdol delivered a perfectly placed pass to Brayden Herrell for a 57-yard score to give the Cougars a 14-12 advantage at half.
Fort Loramie used a methodical drive down the field to open the second half and take the lead back. Culminating in a 4-yard pass into the end zone, the Redskins used up more than half of the third quarter clock. For a third time, Fort Loramie’s point after try fell short.
The Cougars answered quickly by putting typical wide receiver Rashawn Street under center. Needing just seven plays, the Cougars regained the lead in short order and took a 21-18 lead into the fourth quarter with possession of the football.
“Rashawn came in and was electric,” Nolting said. “He made some absolutely big plays, but it wasn’t just him. VanOsdol also stepped up in a big way under center after losing Mayberry last week. We worked both of them out under center and they did a really solid job at making it work.”
Within the first minute of the fourth quarter, Street punched in a 10-yard run for his second score in three rush attempts.
Andrew Zellers led the rushing attack in yardage with 24 carries for 100 yards.
Up next is the Cougars will host the New Palestine Dragons fresh off a dominant performance against Pendleton Heights.
Greenfield-Central 28, Fort Loramie 18
GREENFIELD-CENTRAL (3-2);0;14;7;7;—;28
FORT LORAMIE (2-3);0;12;6;0;—;18
FL—Caleb Maurer 19 pass to Damon Mescher (Kick blocked), 9:38
GC—Joey Roland 31 run (Logan Masters kick), 5:39
FL—Maurer 76 pass to Gabe Meyer (2-pt Failed), 4:12
GC—Josh VanOsdol 57 pass to Brayden Harrell (Masters kick), 1:58
FL—Maurer 4 pass to Darren Eilerman (2-pt Failed), 5:15
GC—Rashawn Street 20 run (Masters kick), 2:30
GC—Street 10 run (Masters kick), 11:07
