Hornets shipwrecked in 41-8 pillaging by Pirates in battle of undefeated squads

 Hornets shipwrecked in 41-8 pillaging by Pirates in battle of undefeated squads

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

SUGARCREEK TWP.--When two undefeated high schools clash in front of a standing room only crowd, only one school will leave undefeated.

For the Malvern Hornets, this was their chance to prove that they belonged in the upper echelon of Division VII. Garaway, a Division V state semifinalist the previous season had other ideas.

A big third quarter left Malvern seething as the Pirates immediately smelled blood in the water, highlighted by a Micah Yoder 33 yard interception return for a touchdown as Garaway, after trailing 8-6 when the first 12 minutes of competition ceased, reeled off 35 consecutive points and captured their 28th straight home victory and 35th straight regular season victory with a 41-8 pillaging of the Hornets Friday night at Garaway High School Stadium.

For the Pirates, winning has become a positive infection for them. Under the direction of Jason Wallick, a 1994 Dover High School graduate, he has his mark on the program and the Hornets found out why in resounding fashion.

It was last year the Pirates had an undefeated season up to the state semifinals before they fell short to eventual state champion and small school power Kirtland. Barring seeing the Hornets again, Garaway looks poised to ascend to the next step and Wallick attest this team despite having different players can do it again.

"That's our goal. You're never satisfied. We have some really big challenges ahead of us and I feel that we continue to grow and get better each week and the goal is that we are fighting for a state championship, that's our goal and we'll continue to get better. We have a long way to go but a lot of these young guys stepped up and played really well for us tonight," Wallick said.

One key player that stood out for Garaway was senior tailback Dillon Soehnlen. The damage he committed against Malvern's defense was palpable as he rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns to spark the Garaway offense. Junior tailback Jaylen Jimenez also chipped in with 78 yards rushing and a touchdown run spanning three yards to actuate the state mandated running clock with 5:48 remaining.

The game started off with both teams committing unlikely turnovers. Garaway quarterback Brady Gibel lost the ball on a strip sack and fumble and Malvern was poised to take the first lead of the game when quarterback Jared Witherow's pass was intercepted in the end zone by Bronson Speedy for a touchback.

ON THE RUN. Malvern quarterback Jared Witherow looks downfield in the first quarter of Friday's contest against Garaway. The Hornets absorbed their first setback of the season in a 41-8 loss. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Early in the second quarter, both teams traded touchdowns. Soehnlen scored his first of three rushing scores to crack the scoreboard early for the hosts as they led 6-0 after the extra point was blocked. Malvern answered one play after recovering a muffed punt from the Pirates when Witherow delivered a well-timed 39 yard scoring pass to Rodney Smith, who got behind two Pirates defenders in the process. Witherow completed a pass for the two point conversion and the visitors had their only lead at 8-6.

After a second Soehnlen touchdown run in the second quarter that put the hosts back in front to stay at 13-8, Garaway smelled blood in the water and went for the jugular. Gibel's pass was intercepted in the end zone by Smith to end the quarter.

Up to that point, Malvern boss Matt Chiurco felt good about where he team was at the intermission before the wheels became unhinged in the decisive third quarter.

"They (Garaway) came out and they were ready and really took it to us in the second half and we didn't respond well. Not at all and that's disappointing," Chiurco said.

Witherow finished with 178 yards through the air with a touchdown and two interceptions to lead the Malvern offense. His counterpart, Gibel passed for 118 yards and a touchdown as the Pirates moved to 5-0 on the season.

For Malvern, it is a loss that can only benefit them down the stretch after facing an experienced team like the Pirates. It will start for them early Saturday morning with film study and hoping to pick up the pieces and get back to winning form.

"We got to get better. That is what it comes down to and for us, we now get into league play and for us these next five games are what matter to us the most and we really have to get after it this week and our goal is to win next week and go 1-0 in league play and take care of business and move on from this," Chiurco said.

On the other hand, Garaway now moves on to a matchup with a winless Claymont team. The approach for Wallick and his legion of Pirates will be simple: enjoy the win for 24 hours and then get back to Pirates football: playing with a killer instinct and playing to win.

"It's gratifying to see our guys come out and see them do what they are able to do," Wallick said.

When two undefeated schools meet, only one will keep their zero for another week. And the Garaway Pirates kept theirs in emphatic fashion.

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.