Gahanna stuns Darby after two practices
Editor’s note: Each week, we will highlight some of the top games from Friday night’s high school football matchups. For recaps of all the games, go to Dispatch.com.
With only two full days of practice after its Week 4 game was canceled because of COVID-19 protocols, Gahanna managed to keep one of central Ohio’s hottest quarterbacks in check in a 17-14 win at Hilliard Darby.
Gahanna (3-1) held off a late rally attempt by the previously undefeated Panthers (4-1).
“We overcame a lot,” said sophomore running back Diore Hubbard. “We had to stop because of COVID, and that really set us back, but we came out here and showed what we could do and our potential.”
Darby cut the lead to 14-7 on a 1-yard run by quarterback Blake Horvath with 11:15 remaining. After getting consecutive runs of 23 and 25 yards by Hubbard to move to the Darby 9 on the ensuing possession, Dallas Gerhart kicked a 22yard field goal to make it 17-7.
Darby began the next drive at the Gahanna 47 after a 43-yard kickoff return
by Mac Link and scored 10 plays later on a 13-yard pass from Horvath to Benjamin Marsh with 2:20 to go.
The Panthers got the ball back with 1:50 remaining, but Horvath was intercepted
with 50.9 seconds left by Tyree Johnson to seal the win for Gahanna.
“We just had a good game on the defensive end and the offense kept scoring,” junior defensive lineman Kamari
Burns said. “With the week we had, two days of practice, we came out here and shocked the world.”
Horvath entered the game with 621 yards rushing but was held to 94 yards on 26 carries and threw his first interception of the season.
— Jarrod Ulrey
Big Walnut 38, Westerville South 7 Nate Severs rushed for 297 yards on 33 carries and scored four touchdowns, leading the Golden Eagles to their first 5-0 start since 2010.
The sophomore caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Jake Nier and then added touchdown runs of 1, 64 and 25 yards.
“If you watched how Nate practiced, you wouldn’t be surprised by the games he has,” Big Walnut coach Rob Page said. “He’s relentless in practice with his focus and effort. … He knows nothing other than full speed on every single play in practice, so when he gets in a game he can execute like he can execute.”
Big Walnut finished with 420 total yards and 355 rushing yards. Penn State recruit Kaden Saunders was limited to four catches for 34 yards for South (2-2).
— Scott Gerfen