Galion shuts out Norwalk in NOL reunion

NORWALK — Friday's game served as a little bit of a throwback to the days of the Northern Ohio League when Galion visited Norwalk. The Tigers and Truckers were longtime opponents in the defunct league. They had not met on the gridiron since 2010, dating back to when Galion originally left the NOL. Though it had chances early, host Norwalk was unable to keep pace with the unbeaten Tigers in the 70th meeting between the two programs. Galion scored 27 points in the second half of the 41-0 win at Contractors Stadium. "We tell the kids every week there's not a team on film that we don't think we can match up with," Norwalk head coach Keith Mora said. "Every week we feel like we're in it for the first half. It's just trying to find the ability to finish off games." The Truckers (1-2) opened the game with a quick three and out on offense, and the Tigers (3-0) pounced on the opportunity. Galion quarterback Ayden Schmidt sparked the drive with a 39-yard pass to Jameson Glew to set up a first-and-goal. Braxton Stuckman then followed with a 5-yard touchdown run, and the first of five extra points from Braylen Beachy put the Tigers up 7-0. Norwalk tried to find an answer with a strong drive. The Truckers had things moving after a pair of fourth-down conversions by AJ Weilnau. Two fourth-down conversions by AJ Weilnau gave the Truckers the ball on the Galion side of the field. However, a third conversion on fourth down came up empty at the Tigers' 33-yard line. Norwalk then recovered a Galion fumble at midfield with 7:58 left in the half but were unable to pick up the first down. Taking over at the Norwalk 49, Galion needed just four plays to go up two scores. Schmidt found Kane Hay for a 31-yard pass to set up Cameron Kuehlman for a 1-yard TD run. The PAT extended the lead to 14-0 with 4:54 left in the half. The Truckers got a big kick return to midfield but were unable to move the ball for positive yardage. "Obviously that drive in the first half with two fourth-down conversions … we score there and it's tied," Mora said. "Then we're going to halftime as it's a completely different ballgame." To start the second half, Norwalk went for a surprise onside kick. It appeared the Truckers recovered, but an illegal touching call negated the potential recovery, and instead the Tigers set up at the Norwalk 44. The Tigers were quick to take advantage of the short field. Again needing just four plays, this time it was Camden Keuhlman scoring from 6 yards out. The extra point was no good for a 20-0 lead. After the Truckers were unable to pick up a first down, the Tigers took over possession near midfield. Three penalties on Norwalk moved the ball 25 yards further onto its side of the field, and Hay capped a scoring drive with a 1-yard run for a 27-0 lead with 5:26 left in the third quarter. Norwalk was intercepted two plays into the ensuing drive, and the Tigers were again set up with prime field position. Galion didn't waste it, as Schmidt found Hay for a 4-yard TD pass with 2:25 left in the third. Beachy's PAT pushed the lead out to 34-0. Gallion started its next drive at the Norwalk 44 after forcing another punt. The Tigers capped off the night with a long drive to take nearly five minutes off the clock. Sam Evans then closed out the scoring on a 5-yard run with 6:53 left in the contest. Norwalk returns to the road next week to face another longtime NOL and Sandusky Bay Conference opponent at Bellevue (2-1). "We did a lot of things right in the first half tonight," Mora said. "We just keep trying to keep our guys fighting and positive." Galion 7 7 20 7 — 41Norwalk 0 0 0 0 — 0ScoringGAL — Braxton Stuckman 5 run (Braylen Beachy kick)GAL — Cameron Kuehlman 1 run (Beachy kick)GAL — Camden Kuehlman 6 run (kick failed)GAL — Kane Hay 1 run (Beachy kick)GAL — Kane Hay 4 pass (Beachy kick)GAL — Sam Evans 5 run (Beachy kick)