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| Girard freshman wide receiver Mario Lipinski (14) takes it to the one-yard line, which later set up a touchdown by quarterback AJ Pearson. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
HUBBARD, Ohio - The AJ Pearson show was in full effect as Girard's offense executed its game plan with ease during a week eight Northeast 8 Athletic Conference match at Alumni Field, defeating the seven-win Hubbard Eagles 48-20.
"The kids played their tail off the first half," Girard head coach Pat Pearson said after coming out strong in the first half.
He made use of his wide receiver personnel.
The Girard sophomore set the tone early as he would score five touchdowns in the half. They would score on the first drive of the game as they would only use four plays on a Pearson to Braxton Sloan 12-yard touchdown reception. Ending the first quarter 7-0 after a Maxwell Erickson good PAT.
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| Girard's Joey Aljars highpoints a pass during the game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
As the game progressed into the second quarter, Hubbard appeared to initiate the offense immediately, scoring just 8 seconds into the quarter. This was by a short drive that ended in Michael Hazimihalis reaching the end zone on a 14-yard run, still trailing 6-7 following an unsuccessful PAT.
Hubbard would not reach the end zone for the remainder of the half, as the sophomore excelled in the air, throwing for four touchdowns. This began with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Joey Alejars, followed by a 38-yard touchdown reception by Braxton Sloan. The scoring continued as their defense repeatedly forced Hubbard to punt.
Following a possession by Hubbard that resulted in a fumble with 5:31 remaining, Girard's explosive offense regained control, scoring on a 27-yard pass from Pearson to the speedy freshman Mario Lipinski, and concluding the half with a 2-yard run by Pearson, leading 34-6.
"I mean that comes with a great week of practice, that comes with great preparation, and my teammates and coaches trust and believe in me," said Pearson after a monster first half.
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| Wide receiver Braxton Sloan prepares to catch a pass into the endzone for a first-half score. (Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
In the second half, Hubbard would gain possession of the ball; however, they were unable to maintain a drive that would allow them to score once more, resulting in the ball being returned to Girard. Girad then took advantage of the situation, utilizing a significant portion of the clock to achieve a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Pearson, following a previous play to Mario Lipinski that advanced the ball to the 1-yard line, extending their lead to 41-6.
"It really starts with the blocking, o-line, all the credit goes to them, they just make the gaps, I just go for it," Lipinski said after saying how often they scored the ball against Hubbard's defense.
This would initiate a running clock until the Eagles quarterback Brayden Songer connected with Dylan BuCher for a 12-yard touchdown with 1:32 left in the third quarter, only to reinstate it in the opening of the fourth quarter on a 44-yard run by Lipinski, driving the score up 48-13.
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| AJ Pearson warms up as father and head coach Pat Pearson looks at the opposing team. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
Even a late score by Hubbard would not be enough as Girard would stay undefeated.
Girard (9-0) is right in the mix to win the NE8 outright, depending on a win at Niles and a Poland loss.
Hubbard (7-2) will move into week ten with a regular-season final at South Range (5-4) after a week 9 loss to Cardinal Mooney.
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