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GHS doomed by 6 turnovers
WEST TERRE HAUTE -- Defense was the order of the night Friday when Greencastle traveled to West Vigo.
After surrendering a long touchdown pass early in the first quarter, the Tiger Cub defense didn't allow another point all night, holding the Viking offense scoreless for the final 46 minutes of the game.
Unfortunately, a big West Vigo defensive play was the difference, as linebacker Dakota Short recovered a Devon Clar fumble and took it 60 yards for a second-quarter touchdown. West Vigo held onto that lead for a 12-7 win.
"It was one of those games where kids were fighting hard and playing hard," Greencastle coach Ryan Spoonmore said. "Kids were just getting after it. We were getting after it on defense. I thought our defense was flying around and making plays."
Turnovers were the order of the night for the Greencastle (0-2) offense, which turned the ball over six times. Each turnover happened in Viking (1-1) territory, meaning Greencastle was moving the ball, but not finishing drives.
"Again, like I said last week, we didn't make enough plays on offense. We shot ourselves in the foot in regards to fumbling the football and little, fundamental mistakes that you make on offense," Spoonmore said. "You can't do that. We'd get some things going, get some plays together and then we'd beat ourselves."
In spite of the mishaps, the first-year coach remained upbeat about what he is seeing from the team.
For one thing, the GHS defense showed its resilience after surrendering a 71-yard touchdown pass from Joe Creasey to Hunter Voils less than two minutes into the game.
That was it for the Viking offense, though. Spoonmore credited the team approach he and defensive coordinator Mike Meyer have been advocating since practice began.
"We believe in one-11 on defense, which means that we have 11 guys playing as one," Spoonmore said. That's what I've been trying to get these guys to believe in since day one. They showed that one-11 moxie tonight. They showed that one-11 pride tonight. I'm proud of our defensive coaches and Coach Meyer and his gameplan. I can't say enough about those guys."
The offense also got it together for its one scoring drive late in the first quarter. Quarterback Nick Costin capped it off with a one-yard with 1:37 to play in the frame. The extra point gave the Tiger Cubs their only lead of the game at 7-6.
The lead was short-lived, though, as Greencastle's next possession held its most costly mistake of the game.
Clar was hit behind the line of scrimmage, and Short picked up the ball, rumbling 60 yards for the score with 11:30 to play until the half.
From there, the defenses took over, with Greencastle yielding little and West Vigo forcing turnovers when it needed them most.
"It's just about trying to get young guys to comprehend the fundamental part of the game," Spoonmore said. " It was a challenge tonight, but we played hard. I was proud of our effort. I was proud to be their coach tonight. I thought the defense made some great strides for us. If they can keep playing like that, we'll be in every game we play this year.
"If those guys have to keep growing and maturing on defense and playing as one, I think we'll be all right in terms of having a chance in our upcoming games."
The Tiger Cubs gear up to host Edgewood at 7 p.m. on Friday. The key will be for the defense and special teams to remain strong and the offense to correct the little mistakes.
"We have to go back to work on offense, just fine tuning," Spoonmore said. "Just work on doing the little things right. I think we'll still be able to improve and get better in those areas."
At West Vigo
Greencastle 7 0 0 0 -- 7
West Vigo 6 6 0 0 -- 12
1st Quarter
WV: Voils 71-yd pass from Creasey (conversion failed) 10:23
GHS: Costin 1-yd run (kick good) 1:37
2nd Quarter
WV: Short 60-yd fumble return (conversion failed) 11:30