Defense sparks McGuffey rally
McGuffey’s Marcus Czulewicz breaks away for a first-quarter touchdown Friday against Mt. Pleasant.
McGuffey’s Adam Townsend runs the ball during the first half against Mt. Pleasant.
McGuffey’s Teague Nicolella is forced out of bounds by Mt. Pleasant’s Cody Reese during the first half Friday.
McGuffey’ôs Marcus Czulewicz breaks up a first-half pass Friday intended for Mt. Pleasant’s Keith Kalp.
McGuffey’s Marshall Whipkey makes a second-quarter tackle Friday against Mt. Pleasant.
CLAYSVILLE – This time, it was McGuffey tearing the heart out of Mt. Pleasant.
A little more than a year ago, the Vikings intercepted a pass in the end zone during overtime to win the game.
On Friday night at McGuffey, the Highlanders made sure the review of the game tapes will not be pleasant for Mt. Pleasant.
McGuffey forced four fumbles, recovering each one, in the third quarter, then made two fourth-and-goal stands in the final minute to pull out a 24-17 victory in a Class AAA Interstate Conference game.
The win moved the Highlanders to 2-0 in the conference and 3-1 overall. Mt. Pleasant fell to 2-1 in the conference and 3-1 overall.
“What a way to win a football game,” said McGuffey head coach Ed Dalton. “That’s a testament to our kids. We’re down six starters at 10 positions. Our kids rose to the challenge.”
The Highlanders’ defense was gouged for 214 yards rushing in the first half and didn’t force a punt from the Vikings, who were happy with a 17-10 lead at the break. The second half was a different story. The Highlanders forced four fumbles and the offense scored twice to take the lead.
“That was definitely a game-shifter,” said linebacker Luke Shingle, who had a key sack and a fumble recovery in the third quarter. “That defintely put (Mt. Pleasant) down. In the second half, we adjusted a few things and everyone did their job and played hard.”
Connor Romestan scored on a six-yard run to tie the game, 17-17, with 7:57 left in the third quarter and quarterback Marcus Czulewicz hit wide receiver Teague Nicolella with a nine-yard touchdown with 2:31 left in the third quarter for the game-winner.
“This was probably the biggest win I’ve had since I’s been at the high school,” said quarterback Marcus Czulewicz, who rushed for 133 yards on 26 carries and passed for another 64. “We weren’t worried at halftime. We knew we had some momentum and this was a close game, even though we had some starters out. We were excited to play the second half.”
Mt. Pleasant drove to the Highlanders six-yard line with 1:01 to play and McGuffey was forced to make two stops on fourth-down plays. Mt. Pleasant quarterback Johnny Yester through incomplete over the middle and that set off a McGuffey celebration. But the Highlanders were called for pass interference – half the distance to the goal and replay the down. This time, Yester overthrew a receiver in the corner of the end zone.
No flags.
Start celebration again.
“To put it in a nutshell, we turned the ball over, they capitalized and won the football game,” said Mount Pleasant head coach Bo Ruffner. “I felt confident until the end of the game. We didn’t punt. when you don’t punt in the football game, you should win.”
There wasn’t a punt or a turnover through the first five possessions as Mt. Pleasant took a 17-10 halftime lead. Yester directed a 12-play drive to open the game and Caldwell went over from two yards for a 7-0 lead.
That lead evaporated on McGuffey’s second play from scrimmage, a 57-yard run up the middle that made it 7-7.
Mt. Pleasant came right back, driving to McGuffey’s 15. Tait hit a 32-yard field goal to give the Vikings a 10-7 lead. The Highlanders tied it on the next possession when Teague Nicolella made a 37-yard field goal with 1:06 remaining in the first quarter.
The Vikings pulled ahead 17-10 when Yester bounced over from four yards out with 9:59 left in the half.