Guenthner saves Golden Eagles with fourth-quarter field goal

(Left) Guerin Catholic’s Justin Zdobylak makes a dive for more yards during the Golden Eagles’ Sectional 28 win at Oak Hill on Friday. Zdobylak finished the game with 194 yards rushing and one touchdown. (Right) Alex Gibbs had six catches during Guerin Catholic’s Friday sectional win. (Photos courtesy GCHS The Max)

Guerin Catholic travels to Tippecanoe Valley next week

Guerin Catholic traveled north to take on undefeated Oak Hill Friday night in the first round of Class 3A Sectional 28.

The game went down to the wire, but No. 9-ranked Guerin prevailed 24-21, thanks to a fourth-quarter field goal from Evan Guenthner. The Golden Eagles thus advanced to next Friday’s sectional semi-finals.

Guerin Catholic never trailed, scoring the game’s first touchdown when Justin Zdobylak ran into the end zone from six yards. The Golden Eagles added another touchdown in the second quarter; Anthony Ferrucci made a three-yard sprint for the score. Oak Hill scored its first touchdown before halftime, but GC still led 14-7 at the break.

Cooper Navarro gave Guerin Catholic another touchdown in the third quarter with an eight-yard run. Guenthner made all three of his extra-point kicks. Oak Hill came back to tie the game by the end of the period at 21-21, but a 36-yard field goal from Guenthner turned out to be the game-winner.

Zdobylak finished the game with 194 yards rushing. Quarterback Malcolm Houze had a solid night, going 15-for-27 through the air for 155 yards. Alex Gibbs had six catches.

The Golden Eagles are 6-4 and travel to Tippecanoe Valley next week for their semi-final game.

 

GUERIN CATHOLIC 24, OAK HILL 21

Score by Quarters

Guerin Catholic                                 7                              7                              7                              3 – 24

Oak Hill                                              0                              7                              14                           0 – 21

Team Stats                                    GC                          OH

First Downs                                        26                           16

By Rush                                                16                           13

By Pass                                                 10                           2

By Penalty                                           0                              1

Rushes-Yards                                     53-199                   34-234

Yards Passing                                     155                         77

Comp-Att-Int-TD                              15-27-0-0             7-11-0-0

Fumbles-Lost                                     0-0                          0-0

Penalties-Yards                                 5-44                       1-5

Punts-Average                                  1-51.0                    3-30.7

Guerin Catholic Scoring

First Quarter

Justin Zdobylak 6-yard run (Evan Guenthner kick)

Second Quarter

Anthony Ferrucci 3-yard run (Guenthner kick)

Third Quarter

Cooper Navarro 8-yard run (Guenthner kick)

Fourth Quarter

Guenthner 36-yard field goal

Guerin Catholic individual stats

Rushing: Zdobylak 37-194, Navarro 8-37, Ferrucci 6-30, Houze 2-minus 62.

Passing: Houze 15-27-155.

Receiving: Alex Gibbs 6-53, Ferrucci 4-59, Will Fremion 2-17, Hayden Cler 2-17, Harrison Miller 1-9.