Greenfield-Central’s Andrew Zellers breaks a long run for a touchdown against New Castle Friday.
Mike Brown | For The Daily Reporter
By Brady Extin | Daily Reporter
GREENFIELD — Greenfield-Central head coach Travis Nolting wanted his team to get healthy and get things right before sectional play starts next Friday.
For the most part, they did just that in a dominant 50-7 win over the visiting New Castle Trojans.
With the win, Greenfield-Central closed out the season with a 6-3 record.
“It just feels good to get some of our guys back. New Castle is a team that will hang around with you if you let them. They’re a tough team, and they’ll keep digging,” Nolting said. “I think it prepares us for the sectional in the fact that they run some different things that we don’t normally see.”
Against a New Castle defense that had given up 104 combined points in its last two games against Mt. Vernon and New Palestine, the Cougars’ offense had little to no trouble finding the end zone.
They scored on their first two offensive plays of the night.
After the opening kick, senior Owen Anderson took the handoff from quarterback Dallas Freeman 60 yards to kick things off.
Following a quick three-and-out by the Trojans, senior Andrew Zellers took his first carry 87 yards for a touchdown.
For Nolting and the Cougars, that run meant a lot more than just a score to put them up 13-0.
The Cougars’ leading rusher, averaging 131 yards per game, returned after a three-game absence due to injury.
“Andrew is a difference-maker and having him back tonight was great. He’s a phenomenal player,” Nolting said. “You saw it tonight with him busting off a couple big runs. I didn’t grind him as much I would’ve if he was 100% healthy, but him coming out here even 50% is still a pretty good player.”
He made his return known in a big way, rushing for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
“It was great just being back out there with the teammates and pushing through practice this week, and then coming and having a great night, just like the entire season we’ve been having.” Zellers said.
His big night was just one of many for Greenfield-Central.
After his opening touchdown run, Anderson finished his day with 104 yards rushing and the one score, as well as 73 yards receiving.
Matching Zellers with two touchdowns was fellow senior running back Gael Bravo.
In the first half, Freeman connected with him on a 45-yard touchdown pass, and in the third quarter he scampered 17 yards for another score.
“Gael is a special guy. He’s been with us for two years now,” Nolting said. “It was great to see him get those touchdowns and run hard like he does. He’s just been a great addition to the team.”
Even with the big nights from the seniors Zellers, Anderson and Bravo, the biggest night came from a junior, Lane Wadle.
On defense, Wadle intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, while having a third interception and second touchdown return called back due to holding. He added two sacks as well.
And on offense, he caught a 3-yard touchdown from Freeman.
“Lane is stepping up and becoming a great player for us. We’re excited for what he’s going to be able to offer us the rest of this season and the future,” Nolting said. “It was a great effort on his part and he’ll just continue to get better and better.”
The win closed out the regular season for the Cougars, and they now turn their attention to round one of the sectional tournament next Friday against Pendleton Heights. Greenfield-Central won the regular season matchup 35-0.
“Pendleton is much improved from the first time we saw them. They’re playing good football and are well-coached,” Nolting said. “We have to be sharp and not turn the ball over. The games that we have lost, we’ve turned the ball over and that has been the difference maker. Those things we have to minimize.”
