Potential.
That was the word on many people’s mind after watching the Grant Generals throttle Lincoln at the Grant Bowl on Friday afternoon.
This year’s Generals had the potential to win during the week leading up to this game according to many coaches and news outlets around the area. Most had Lincoln as a slight favorite, but Grant silenced many of their critics, and did so in emphatic style.
After a fumble by running back Mike Waters on their first possession, Grant’s defense showed its own potential in quickly getting their first turnover just three plays later on a Da’Marea Stigler interception.
After the turnover, the east-side boys wasted no time getting their offense on a roll. Quarterback Sam Davis hit Stigler for 31 yards on a screen pass. Waters capped the drive with a touchdown from five yards out to go up 7-0.
The defense continued to dominate as Grant stopped Lincoln in the redzone, turning another stop into points from Waters, this time getting a 49-yard gallop to go up 14-0 with 2:44 left in the first quarter.
On the next drive, senior quarterback Sam Davis got the job done through the air, finding Eli Willman for a 21-0 lead. Davis (13-15, 209 yards, 2 TD) was near perfect through the air, which prevented the Cards from stacking the box and opened up the opportunity for Waters to create with his feet all afternoon.
Contributing on the receiving end was senior Chris Lewis (6 catches, 80 yards), Eli Willman (3 for 47, TD), and 4 others with at least one catch.
Another Waters touchdown, this time from thirty-five yards out, seemed to all but ice the game before the first half was over.
Sam Davis’ first rushing touchdown of the year was from two yards out and put the Generals ahead 34-0 to open the second half. With star running back John Duffy sidelined from an ankle injury in the first half, Lincoln seemed content to continue to run the ball, essentially trying to get out of the Grant Bowl as fast as they could.
Kicker Joey Kenney converted a 42-yard field goal to open the fourth quarter, making the score 37-0 and taking Lincoln further into their own nightmare. The lone bright spot for the Cardinal came on the ensuing kickoff, as Michael Angyus took it 88 yards for the only Lincoln points on the day.
With the win, Grant improved to 3-2 (3-0) on the year, and Lincoln dropped to 2-3 (1-1) with the loss.
Potential. People came into the afternoon giving the Generals a slim chance at winning. They left, however, thinking this team could potentially win the PIL, and possibly steal a
home playoff game come November.
But first things first, this Grant team will visit Cleveland High School this Thursday, kickoff set for 7 PM.
Generals Football Blog 