Geneva’s Charlie Taylor scored on a two-yard run with 23 seconds left in the game to lead the Eagles to a 16-8 win a West Geauga on Friday.
West Geauga had tied the game with 1:23 left in the fourth quarter but the Eagles used a rare play-action pass to set up the game-winning score.
“They had 11 guys in the box so we had to make them pay at least once,” said Geneva coach Chip Sorber. “We hadn’t thrown much all night long. We ran a crossing route and they were in man coverage. We protected very well and hit Justin Way down the sideline and he ran it down to near the 20-yard line.”
Taylor punched it in four plays later to give the Eagles their second straight win.
“Our season was hinging on this game,” Sorber said. “It was a critical point. Going in at 1-3, if we go to 1-4 it would be hard to keep the guys going and not tank it. The kids are excited. We’re a much better team than our record shows. We still have to learn how to win but putting two wins together is big for us. They’ve worked hard and have done everything we’ve asked them to do. It’s good to get some payback.”
The Eagles, who improved to 2-3 overall and 2-0 in the Chagrin Valley Conference, opened the scoring in the second quarter on an 11-yard pass from Kyle Stark to Way. Vinny Varckette scored the two-point conversion to make it 8-0.
Both defenses dominated until the final two minutes of the game.
“Our defense played really, really well,” Sorber said. “Except for one series, our defense was on point tonight. We covered well, shut down the run very well and I was very impressed with the big hits. I was pleased with how our defense played.”
West Geauga’s defense was just as efficient.
“I don’t think we got a first down the entire third or half of the fourth quarter,” Sorber said. “They ended up putting a drive together and scored a touchdown and then they got the two-point conversion on a pass to tie it up.”
Taylor carried 17 times for 69 yards and Stark rushed for 50 yards on 13 carries for the Eagles.
Geneva hosts Beachwood on Sept. 28 while West Geauga, who dropped to 1-4, entertains Harvey.
