Springville-GI JV football tripped up by Burgard

SPRINGVILLE — The Springville-Griffith Institute junior varsity team lost its first game of the season 32 – 12 at the hands of the Burgard Bulldogs.

“They just seemed to have our number all night,” said Coach Greg Hodges, about the Burgard defense, which was in the Griffs’ backfield throughout the game.

On the Griffs’ second drive of the game, Burgard put pressure on the quarterback, forcing an interception that was returned, for a touchdown.

“Our offense didn’t have a chance to take off like it has the past two weeks, due to an outstanding blitzing defense by Burgard,” Hodges said.

Burgard continued to build on its lead with 2 more scores, making the score 16 – 0. During most of the first half, the Griffs could not answer for the Burgard defense. Late in the first half, fullback Patrick O’Brian broke through the defense, for an 18-yard pickup and the Griffs put points on the board when Devin White-Kearns lofted a 57-yard touchdown pass to Tom Schweickert, who fought off interference by a Burgard cornerback to make an over-the-shoulder catch.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Griffs executed an on-side kick with 24 seconds left in the half, but ended up trailing 16 – 6 at halftime.

Hodges said that he was hoping to “jolt some energy” into his offensive line that “wasn’t providing enough of a push.

“It happened week one, against Salamanca,” he said. “Our line was struggling, so I told them at half that they needed to work harder. They came out in the second half of that game and did everything I asked of them. I had to do that again, in this game.”

At halftime, Hodges addressed his team about how “flat” he said they were playing. “We have no energy right now,” he said. “We need somebody to come out and make a play. We have so many athletes on this team, that there is no excuse for what’s happening right now.”

Coming out of the half, on Burgard’s first possession, Springville forced a three and out, in part to a third down tackle by O’Brian.

On the Griffs’ second possession of the second, half running back Jobe Fleming ran for 9 yards and a first down. On the next play, White-Kearns scrambled away from Burgard’s pass rushes and took off downfield, running across the field, eluding defenders on the way to a 63-yard touchdown, making the score 16 – 12, Burgard. White-Kearns finished the day with 11 carries, for 117 yards and a touchdown.

This was the closest the Griffs would get, score-wise, as Burgard responded with 2 straight touchdown drives.

Springville lost its first game of the season 32 – 12.

Leading the defensive effort was defensive end Mason Merlau, who had 9 tackles. After the game, Hodges told his players to “forget about this game and focus on the game ahead.

“I had the athletes look back at the scoreboard, showing them that Burgard was in the past,” he said. “Our focus now shifts to this week’s game against East Aurora.”