By Keith Harrington
Coming into the crossover round of high school football games the Granville-Whitehall football team had a chance to even their record at the .500 mark in the first year of their merger. G-W was handed a tough challenge from the schedule makers however in giving them games against Class D power Chatham and larger school Johnstown.
Last night at Knox Field Granville-Whitehall came up just short, falling to Johnstown 21-20 in the final game of the season.
Senior Matthew Barlow did his best to give G-W a shot, going out in a blaze of glory in the final game of his career. Barlow rushed for a career-high 274 and two touchdowns on 31 carries on the evening, but it wasn't quite enough.
G-W struck first on a three yard touchdown by Troy Austin in the first quarter to make it 6-0. The PAT kick was blocked.
Ryan Hoyt brought the Sir Bills even on an 80 yard scamper to tie the game at 6-6 in the second stanza. The extra point kick gave Johnstown a 7-6 lead.
Later in the quarter, the Sir Bill extended their lead on a 59 yard scoring strike from Brandon Frank to Jack Miller to lead 13-6.
Barlow scored on a nine yard run and CJ Monty tacked on the two-point conversion to give G-W a 14-13 lead at the half.
In the third Barlow struck again, this time from three yards out to make it 20-13 G-W. The conversion pass attempt failed.
Hoyt then scored what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown later in the third on a 15-yard run to tie the game at 20-20. Miller passed for the two-point conversion to give the Sir Bills the 21-20 lead and they held on in the fourth.
Hoyt rushed 17 times for 193 yards and two touchdowns for the Sir Bills.
Austin added 41 yards on eight attempts for G-W.
Johnstown ends the season 4-5. Granville-Whitehall finishes at 3-7.
