The Garfield G-Men kicked off their 2024 season in style, securing a 47-27 victory over the Edgewood Warriors on Friday night at JAG Stadium. The G-Men set the tone early, building an insurmountable lead before halftime and cruising to their first win of the season.
First Quarter Dominance
Garfield's offense wasted no time getting on the board. With three minutes left in the first quarter, quarterback Jack Neikirk found Brandyn Bogucki for a 21-yard touchdown pass. Harper Troyer then powered his way into the end zone for a two-point conversion, giving the G-Men an 8-0 lead.
Troyer wasn’t done yet. Just a few minutes later, he broke through Edgewood’s defense for a 5-yard rushing touchdown. Hannah Timmons added the extra point, extending Garfield’s lead to 15-0 as the first quarter came to a close.
Second Quarter Action
The G-Men continued to apply pressure in the second quarter. Neikirk connected with Bogucki once again, this time on a 39-yard touchdown pass, pushing the score to 21-0. Though the extra point was missed, Garfield’s momentum was undeniable.
Edgewood managed to get on the board with four minutes left in the half when quarterback Nate Stewart scored on a 3-yard rushing touchdown. Aidan Kachersky’s successful PAT made it 21-7 heading into halftime.
Third Quarter Fireworks
Garfield’s offense didn’t slow down after the break. Running back Ryder Cain added a 15-yard rushing touchdown midway through the third quarter, followed shortly by another 5-yard score from Troyer. Despite missing both extra points, Garfield held a commanding 33-7 lead.
Edgewood’s special teams answered back with a 75-yard kick return touchdown by Jasiah Pope. However, Garfield’s Colin McGranahan quickly responded with a 78-yard kick return of his own, followed by Timmons' extra point to make it 40-14.
The G-Men capped off the quarter with a 14-yard rushing touchdown from Devin Bates, increasing their lead to 47-14.
Late Rally by Edgewood
Edgewood added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, both through the air. Stewart connected with Michael Ochoa and Ben Schwartfigure Jr. for scores, but it was too little, too late, as Garfield secured the 47-27 victory.
Looking Ahead
With a strong season opener under their belt, the G-Men will now turn their attention to their next challenge: a matchup against Warren JFK this coming Friday at JAG Stadium. The student section is expected to bring extra energy with a Superheroes theme, as Garfield looks to build on their early success.
Photo by Quinn Roborecki