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| Caden Proy (1) and Bryce Peet (5) as they line up for the coin toss. No.78 was not listed on the team's roster. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
"Yeah, we got off to a good start, Caden was able to pop a run on the first play of the game and score," said Shymske. After Alliance deferred the coin toss to Geneva, Proy ran 66 yards to score a touchdown with 11:44 on the clock, putting the first points on the scoreboard 6-0 after a blocked PAT.
Alliance had an opportunity to score during their next possession as they advanced down the field to within the Geneva 10-yard line, only to relinquish possession on downs. JR Jackson, who is the starting quarterback, lined up as a wide receiver and appeared to be confused regarding the play call.
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| Alliance's JR Jackson advances towards the endzone early in the first half of the game, being the sole player to score for the Aviators. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
After a couple of defensive stops by both teams, the quarter would end 6-0.
Opening the second quarter, the Proy show would continue as he rushed into the end zone with 10:23 left in the period, taking the lead to 12-0. They would attempt a 2-point conversion but fail to do so.
Top Geneva running back Bryce Peet would have a huge run at 8:53 to set up his 5-yard rushing touchdown a few plays later to put the Eagles up 19-0, with 6:34 left in the half.
Alliance would build momentum as quarterback JR Jackson would make plays, including a huge 44-yard pass play to Taije Nicholson that would be called back due to DJ Geiselman being called for illegal man downfield.
Two plays after Jackson would take off to score on a 39-yard run with 4:25 left on the clock to close the Eagles' lead to 13 points.
A short while later, Bryce Peet would collapse at 3:35 after receiving a pass from Proy along the seam. After taking several steps, he would fall to the ground, clutching his left hamstring. He would not return to the game, "I got to step up as a leader," stated Proy after playing without some key players out of the game.
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| Caden Proy talks with a coach pre-game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
Proy would score again with 1:11 left on the clock on a 1-yard run, driving the score up 26-6 and carrying that lead into halftime.
"I mean, it was great, all things were connected on the offensive side, our line was doing a great job, our coaches doing a great job putting us in the right spot," said Proy after that first half output by the team.
The second half was no different, as the Eagles maintained their effective running game against Alliance. They managed to put together a drive increasing their passing attempts as Jackson would complete four consecutive passes to receivers Cashe Brisker, Jarrin Blair, and Kam Burton, but ultimately threw an interception to Elliot Selgado.
That would lead to a Proy's 67-yard rushing touchdown with 6:34 left, taking a huge lead to 33-6. The Aviators would respond to their last touchdown of the game. JR Jackson would score with 2:26 left in the game, trailing 12-33.
That would put Geneva in the driver's seat to cruise into the second round of the playoffs, "CVCA is a great team and they're a run-heavy team like us, their one of the best teams in the state of Ohio in Division III football," Shymske stated.
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| Geneva head coach Don Shymske walks back to the sideline after talking during a timeout. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
Alliance will finish the season (8-3) and bring back a solid roster for next year.
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