LINDSIDE- Greenbrier East overcame a sluggish start and a 13-point second-half deficit, but James Monroe made the final play when it mattered most, defeating the Spartans 19-13 in overtime in a hard-fought, sometimes sloppy season opener.
Neither team found the end zone in a mistake-filled first quarter that featured fumbles, special teams miscues and plenty of opening-game nerves. Greenbrier East fumbled on its first possession, while James Monroe struggled to capitalize early.
The Mavericks finally seized momentum late in the quarter when Brycen Parker took a swing pass 52 yards, setting up the game’s first score.
On the second play of the second quarter, James Monroe quarterback Jayden Miller finished the drive with a 2-yard quarterback sneak. The extra point gave the Mavericks a 7-0 lead, and that score held through halftime.
Greenbrier East’s offense struggled to find its footing over the opening two quarters and managed just 76 total yards.
James Monroe (1-0) extended its advantage in the third quarter despite losing Miller to an injury for a few plays. Backup quarterback Bentley McCroskey stepped in and connected with Bryce Gardinier for a 30-yard touchdown with 7:35 remaining in the period, pushing the Mavericks’ lead to 13-0.
That score seemed to wake up the Spartans.
Jet Whitworth provided a spark with a strong punt return a few minutes later, and a late-hit penalty tacked on against the Mavericks gave East excellent field position. After several productive runs from Austin Whitt, quarterback Sam Gabbert found Braylen Godfrey for a 26-yard touchdown. The six-play, 52-yard drive trimmed the deficit to 13-6 late in the third quarter.
After the East defense forced a James Monroe punt on the ensuing possession, the Spartans went right back to Whitt. The sophomore running back took over, rushing for 41 yards on the drive and breaking loose for a 29-yard touchdown. Paul Kucera’s extra point tied the game at 13-all with 9:52 remaining in regulation.
Greenbrier East (0-1) appeared to take the lead several minutes later when Whitworth intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown, but a penalty wiped the score off the board although the Spartans did keep possession. The Spartans still drove into scoring range, but Kucera’s 38-yard field-goal attempt came up short.
James Monroe moved the ball on its ensuing series but couldn’t find the end zone in regulation, sending the game to overtime tied at 13.
East received the ball first in the extra session but came away empty after the Mavericks front crashed in and blocked a field-goal attempt.
James Monroe then had its opportunity to win, although the Mavericks soon faced second-and-20. Gardinier then delivered one of the biggest plays of the night, diving to secure a catch just before the ball hit the grass and turned the long-yardage situation into a manageable third-and-2.
A few plays later, Parker finished it.
The James Monroe playmaker powered in from two yards out for the game-winning touchdown, giving the Mavericks a dramatic 19-13 overtime victory.
Whitt carried the Greenbrier East offense with 35 carries for 144 yards and a touchdown. Godfrey caught three passes for 28 yards and a score, while DP Seams had four receptions for 38 yards.
The Spartans finished with 218 yards of total offense with 142 of those coming after halftime.
Miller completed 16-of-33 passes for 184 yards for James Monroe. Gardinier caught five passes for 72 yards, Andrew Weikle finished with five receptions for 42 yards, and Parker added three catches for 72 yards to go along with the game-winning overtime touchdown.
For Greenbrier East, the loss will sting, especially after they battled all the way back from a 13-0 deficit and had multiple opportunities to take the lead late.
But after a difficult opening half, East’s second-half response showed plenty of fight, but the Spartans simply just couldn’t finish off the comeback in overtime.
Greenbrier East will have another opportunity against another rival next Friday night when they host the Woodrow Wilson Flying Eagles at Spartan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM.
Stats courtesy of 103.1, The Bear.
