By John Bombatch
JAMESTOWN — In a span of a little less than 24 minutes in all, Greeneview had scored 21 points against North Lewisburg Triad with defensive play, offense and even special teams.
In a span of 50 minutes, Greeneview officials delayed Friday’s game because of lightning.
When lightning wasn’t messing everything up, the Rams were busy messing up the Cardinals.
Greeneview (3-1, 1-0 OHC) held a 52-0 lead at halftime. And they’d scored on their first possession of the second half before this writer had to leave to meet his 10:30 p.m. deadline.
Greeneview scored early and often in the Ohio Heritage Conference opener for both schools.
On Triad’s opening possession on third-and-long, Cardinals junior quarterback Briley Harlan lofted an errant pass try to freshman Dalton Overfield. About 23 yards downfield, Greeneview senior defensive back Collin Matt snared the pass and raced all the way back for a score.
Austin Roberts scored from 11 yards out on the Rams’ next possession, and Griffin Mangan made it 21-0 when he returned a blocked Triad Cardinal punt 10 yards for a score.
It could be understood if there were North Lewisburg Triad fans secretly doing a rain dance somewhere under the Nock Field visitors bleachers, Friday night in Jamestown. Nothing was going their way for the first 15 minutes of the game, so why not?
At 7:24 p.m., with the Rams marching down the field on the sixth play of a drive that began on their own 12 and had just crossed into Cardinals territory, game officials saw lightning and cleared Nock Field and the stadium. Thirty nine and a half seconds remained on the scoreboard in the first quarter, but by the Rams had exacted plenty of damage.
Greneview officials opened up the Middle School gym to allow fans a place of shelter. Several youngsters used the delay to try their hand at some basketball while others milled around and hung out with their friends. The school rolled out the gym’s to give people a place to sit out the delay.
Play resumed at 8:20 p.m.
Greeneview extended the lead to 28-0 at 8:21 p.m.
That’s when Collin Wison snared a 48-yard pass from Collin Matt for a score. Yet another Bryce Wilson extra-point conversion made it 28-0 Rams.
Triad went three plays and punted, then Greeneview’s Griffen Mangen capped a three-play drive with a 5-yard touchdown run. Wilson booted the extra point and it was 35-0 Greeneview.
Jacob Green rambled 21 yards for a score on the Rams’ next possession (another Wilson kick), Triad went three-and-out, then Greeneview’s Wilson booted a 27-yard field goal to put the Rams out in front 45-0 with still 87 seconds left to play in the first half!
That was plenty of time for yet another Rams first-half score, because Collin Wilson stepped in front of a Harlan pass to give the ball right back to Greeneview.
With 3.9 seconds left in the half, Collin Matt found Ethan Bradds open for a 15-yard TD pass. Yet another Wilson kick made it 52-zip at halftime.
Greeneview received the ball to start the second half (which was played with a running clock). Four plays later, it was 59-0 when Austin Roberts rumbled 6 yards for a score. Wilson hit another PAT and it was 59-0 with 8:38 left n the third quarter.
(According to Greeneview Athletic Director Mark Rinehart, the Rams won 59-15. We’ll have a complete box score, with an update of the second half in our next edition, which will run on Tuesday, Sept.20. — Ed.)
Score by Quarters
Triad 0 0 0 15 — 15
Greeneview 28 24 7 0 — 59
Scoring Plays
G: Collin Matt 37 interception return. Bryce Wilson kick
G: Austin Roberts 11 run (Wilson kick)
G: Griffen Mangan punt block return (Wilson kick)
G: Collin Wilson 48 pass from Matt (Wilson kick)
G: Mangan 5 run (Wilson kick)
G: Jacob Green 21 run (Wilson kick)
G: Wilson 27 field goal
G: Ethan Bradds 15 pass from Matt (Wilson kick)
G: Roberts 6 run (Wilson kick)