Garaway crushes West Jefferson to catapult into the state semifinals for the first time
ZANESVILLE – The Garaway High School football team roared as it gathered in its traditional postgame circle Friday night on the north side of Sulsberger Stadium.
Fans joined in a raucous celebration after the Pirates routed West Jefferson 42-7 in a Division VI regional final. A group of Garaway players accepted the regional championship trophy near midfield and shared hugs with teammates, coaches and family members.
But the Pirates are still hungry for more.
“It’s our goal to win a state championship this year,” said junior quarterback Brady Geibel. “It’s another game, another step in the right direction. We played well all around. But we’ve got to get back in the film room tomorrow. It wasn't perfect. One game at a time. We’ve got Kirtland next week. It's going to be a tough one.”
“Our motto this year was stay hungry,” head coach Jason Wallick said. “Because of last year. Because of the past four years. We still feel we have not played our best game. We’ve got a mountain to climb still.”
The Pirates move on to face a Kirtland team that defeated Mogadore 42-0 on Friday.
Meet the team: A list of the Full East District Football squad
Junior tailback Dillon Soehnlen scored three touchdowns on the night. His biggest play came on a 65-yard high arching pass from Geibel that put Garaway ahead 28-0 in the second quarter.
The Pirates got contributions on offense, defense and special teams. Senior Wyatt Wallick fielded a low West Jefferson punt, swept right and turned upfield for a 38-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter. He also found the end zone on a three yard scoop and score with 9:48 left in the game.
“At first, I saw the snap go back,” Wyatt Wallick said. “Then I saw Jackson Reifenschenider and my cousin Jayce Wallick land on the quarterback. So I picked up the ball and ran it in.”
West Jefferson's lone touchdown came on a 29-yard scamper off a shovel pass in the fourth quarter. Rough Rider starting quarterback Austin Buescher left the game midway through the first quarter with an injury. Owen Warner threw for 168 yards and ran for 59 yards in relief of Buescher.
Geibel threw for 165 yards and Soehnlen ran for 87 yards to lead the Garaway offense.
Despite still wanting more, the Pirates still appreciate the opportunity to play in their first state semifinal.
“It means the world,” Jason Wallick said. “It means the world because these guys have poured their heart and soul into this program. We’ve been knocking on the door, knocking on the door and knocking on the door. It's just unbelievable. It means everything to our kids.”
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: OHSAA playoffs: Garaway Pirates football crushes West Jefferson
