After battling back from a fourth quarter deficit, Purcell put up a goal line stand to nip Alva 40-34 on the road Friday night to open the 2022 gridiron season.
The Goldbugs faced a fourth and eight from the Purcell eight when senior linebacker Jose Ochoa was sent on a blitz.
The pass rush forced the Alva quarterback into an over throw and the Dragons sealed their opening game victory.
Senior Adam Edelman and sophomore Kash Guthmueller registered 24 tackles apiece and Boston Knowles rushed for 194 yards on just 11 carries and scored three touchdowns including an 80 yarder in the second quarter.
He also scored on runs of six in the third period and 40 in the fourth quarter. The sophomore averaged 17.6 yards per carry.
Quarterback Brody Galyean was responsible for three scores dashing in from two yards out in the first quarter and hooking up with Jose Tarango on a 45 yardfirst quarter pass for a touchdown and flipped a 41 yarder to Ochoa for a score in the second stanza.
Luke Edelman was credited with 13 tackles. Right on his heels was Payson Purcell with a dozen while Derek Cravens had 11. Austin Burton, Brody Holder, Tavian Engert and Ochoa all had nine stops for the Dragons.
“I thought Brody Galyean ran the offense well,” said head coach Tracy Scott. “He threw the ball well and Boston Knowles had a heck of a night.”
And as the old saying goes it all starts up front and Scott had high praise for the efforts of this offensive line.
He was speaking of the play of Brendan, Jace Clary, Carter Goldston, Rowan Ardery and Jake Scott.
“They did a good job of blocking up front but we’ve got to get better,” he said. “We have a lot of things to fix but overall I’m pretty pleased.”
Scott noted the outstanding defensive play of Adam Edelman, Guthmueller, Purcell, Luke Edelman and Engert.
“Tavian played his tail off,” Scott said. “He’s an integral part of the defense. Derek Cravens played some nose guard and he, Bacon and Jake Scott played well at linebacker.
“Our two corners Austin Burton and Ty Jaspersen played pretty well. Alva lulls you to sleep and we fell asleep a couple times and they went over the top. We did a pretty good job of adapting to their offense.
“And then we got the big stop at the end with 12 seconds left,” Scott said. “Ochoa got in the quarterback’s face and forced the pass to be a little high.”
Purcell had fought back from a 34-32 deficit scoring and converting the two point PAT.
Scott said breakdowns in the kicking game nearly cost the Dragons the victory.
One of Alva’s touchdowns came when a deep snap sailed over Purcell’s punter’s head and was recovered in the end zone by the Goldbugs.
Alva also blocked a punt that led to a touchdown.
“And we’ve got to become more automatic on kicking PATs. Missing those could have cost us in the end. We had several opportunities to check it in like when we were down in the fourth quarter.
“But they sucked it up and got the job done. They’ve got that never give up mentality and we’ve got to have that,” he said. “I’m proud of them. A lot of good things came out of Friday night and there are lots to fix but I feel really good about this football team.”
Dragon notes:
Purcell Head Coach Tracy Scott nominated Tavian Engert as the Defensive Lineman of the Week. Engert was double teamed most all night yet still made nine tackles and opened up Kash Guthmueller and Adam Edelman to make 24 tackles apiece.
Edelman got the nod from Scott as the Defensive Player of the Week.
The Offensive Player of the Week nominee is Boston Knowles, who rushed 11 times for 194 yards (17.6 yards per carry) and three touchdowns.
Scott nominated Brendan Bacon as the Offensive Lineman of the Week. Bacon graded out at 85 percent against the Goldbugs.
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