For the Daily Journal
INDIANAPOLIS
Greenwood coach Mike Campbell’s main mission was to put plenty of pressure on Beech Grove early and wear them down.
That proved to be no problem.
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Click here to purchase photos from this gallery“We wanted to get off to a fast start,” Campbell said. “They have a lot of two-way guys and we’re platoon, and we wanted to push the pace and tempo. I think we really did that, and our guys responded well. Our defense got some three-and- outs and offense got some points early.”
The Woodmen took a 30-0 first-half lead against host Beech Grove en route to a 43-7 romp Friday night in a Class 4A first-round game. The Woodmen (8-2) will host Mt. Vernon (Fortville) next Friday.
Senior quarterback Seth Gallman ran 9 yards for a score and then added a two-point conversion run to put Greenwood ahead 8-0. With less than 5 minutes left in the opening quarter, Gallman connected with sophomore receiver Luke Raker for a 21-yard touchdown, and a conversion pass to senior tight end Conner Battinau made it 16-0.
With 6:01 left in second quarter, junior running back Nick Willham broke loose for a 28-yard touchdown run, and Gallman and Battinau hooked up for a 17-yard scoring strike with 2:52 to go.
“The defense really put the game away for us by getting the physical stops,” Campbell said. “Our two tackles, Joey Craig and Nick Young, were outstanding. They were physical and played fast. Our two ends, (Nolan) Miller and (Jake) Patton, were good. They were athletic, and they’re strong kids.”
Willham led the Woodmen with 94 yards one nine carries, including another touchdown run of 5 yards in the third quarter. Brandon Rosado got the final touchdown on a 2-yard run.
“We call Willham the slippery back; he kinds of slides and twists, and you think a guy is going to tackle him and they don’t. All of sudden he’s got 8 yards,” Campbell said. “Brandon Rosado got loose a couple times and is a solid blocker as well. Conner Battinau (4 catches, 81 yards) was solid at tight end. They were trying to hold him at the line of scrimmage. He did a nice job of creating space and separation to get open.
“Seth Gallman is our leader. He’s the heart of our soul of our team. Kids look up to him and respond to him. I thought he did nice job offensively and getting guys going. Our defense flew to the ball and pursued heavy.”
Beech Grove (4-6) did not score until the fourth quarter on a 9-yard run by Jordan Reel against the Woodmen reserves.
