Football downs Allegheny during fall break
By Chance Rains · Contributing Writer
Impressive performances on offense, defense and special teams led to a dominant road win for the Wolverines as they defeated the Allegheny Gators 42-6.
The Wolverines’ offense was led by strong performances by junior running back Chase Rankin and senior running back Ian Demeri. Rankin totaled 17 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown, while Demeri rushed 14 times for 59 yards and two scores.
Junior quarterback Sutton Ellis completed eight passes on 18 attempts for 108 yards and a touchdown. In relief, senior quarterback Ethan Wiley stepped in and went two-of-four for 58 yards.
Junior wide receiver Seth McGroerty was the team leader in receptions and yards, totaling five catches for 113 yards.
The Wolverines’ defense was led by senior linebacker Caleb Brubaker with 11 total tackles. Allegheny was held to 182 yards and one touchdown.
The Wolverines forced three turnovers, including an interception and two fumble recoveries.
Grove City opened strong with senior cornerback Nick Heltzel forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff. Junior cornerback Levi Teets recovered the fumble, setting up the Wolverines’ offense at the Allegheny 26-yard line. Demeri would score on a seven-yard run, giving the Wolverines an early 7-0 lead.
On the next drive, the defense forced the Gators to go three-and-out. Allegheny’s punt attempt was blocked by senior linebacker Ben Bladel, with the ball being picked up by Brubaker and returned to the two-yard line of Allegany. Demeri scored on a two-yard run the next play, widening the lead to 14-0.
Both teams traded punts for the next four possessions until Ellis scored on a one-yard run. Freshman kicker Brady Lane’s PAT was good, giving the Wolverines a 21-0 lead.
Allegheny would score on their final possession before the half, missing the extra point, cutting the college’s lead to 21-6.
Halfway through the third quarter, the Wolverines went 66 yards in 11 plays and capped the drive with a 12-yard scoring rush by Rankin to push the lead to 28-6. On Allegheny’s following possession, the Gators drove all the way to the 27-yard line, but junior defensive end Dave Cowher forced a fumble that was picked up by senior defensive end Jordan Karczewski to give the Wolverines the ball, closing the third quarter.
The two teams would swap possession for the next two drives before Ellis delivered senior fullback Anthony Brunette his first career catch for a four-yard touchdown strike to make the score 35-6 with 7:20 left in the game.
Allegheny’s next drive resulted in a punt, and the Wolverines had a field goal attempt blocked on their possession, but an offsides penalty on Allegheny kept the drive alive for the Wolverines. Freshman running back Shepherd Miller cataloged a two-yard rushing score on the next play to put the Wolverines up 42-6.
Teets intercepted an Allegany pass on the next drive, sealing the game in the Wolverines’ favor.
Rankin noted that the team’s preparation is getting sharper every day.
“Over the week leading up to the game, we spent time studying the guys that have come before us and learned from them to grow in our program, unit and positional visions. By the time the game came around, we had so much confidence in our vision that allowed us to play freely as a team. This game taught us that we are a great team when we truly put our identity in our visions on the field,” Rankin said.
The Wolverines will return on Saturday to face Westminster on Robert E. Thorn Field. The action is set to begin at 1 p.m.
