CCCJL Final Standings

Final Standings 8th Grade (A team) Football:

Girard....................7-0
Frontenac..............5-2
SM Colgan.............5-2
Riverton................4-3
Baxter Springs.....3-4
Galena...................2-5
Southeast..............2-5
Northeast..............0-7

Girard Middle School 8th Grade Results: 31-0 vs Frontenac, 55-8 vs Baxter Springs, 27-8 vs Riverton, 47-14 vs Galena, 33-0 vs Northeast, 30-8 vs SM Colgan, and 35-22 vs Southeast.

League Champions

(Click on Picture to Enlarge)

Tuesday night, 10/20/2009, the GMS Trojans 8th grade football team finished up a 7 - 0 season as League Champions of the CCCJL. The Trojans were led Offensively by Halfback Devin Vail who ran for over 1,000 yards on the season, and scored 13 Rushing Touchdowns. Quarterback Brayden Johnson threw for 535 Yards and 7 Touchdowns and contributed over 800 yards Rushing, along with 9 Touchdowns. Devin Alters was the leading Receiver with 7 Touchdown Catches. The Trojans had a dominant running game with Fullback Aaron Twarog lead blocking, and Rushing for nearly 200 yards and 2 Touchdowns. Twarog also caught 2 Touchdown Passes and handled all kicking duties as well. Halfback Kevin Rowe Rushed for over 500 yards and scored 6 TDs combined Running and Receiving. Caleb Egbert was a very consistent blocker at Tight End and also found the endzone as a Receiver. The Offensive Line improved as the year progressed and was led by Ryan Hisey, Gage Mitchell, Marlon Bolden, Jon Goff, and Orson Hedges. Alex Huges and Jessy Hardwick were the top Offensive Line substitutes and played a lot of good football.

Defensively, the Trojans gave up less than 9 points per game and turned in two shut outs. Aaron Twarog and Kevin Rowe provided solid physical play as Defensive Ends, with Ryan Hisey as the first Defensive End off the bench. Devin Vail was dominant from the Linebacker position and led the team in tackles, with Orson Hedges and Jon Goff also serving as starters and big contributors at linebacker. The Defensive Backfield was led by Devin Alters, Brayden Johnson, Caleb Egbert, Orin Meyer, and Tanim Dillon. Key Interceptions during the season were made by Brayden Johnson against Galena, by Devin Alters against Colgan, and a big Interception Return for a Touchdown came from Caleb Egbert in a close season ending victory against Southeast. Starting D'Tackles were Gage Mitchell and Marlon Bolden, with key substitute Alex Hughes.

Cody McClintick played Defensive Tackle and Running Back and was a big contributor on Special Teams as was Jessy Hardwick, both McClintick and Hardwick recovered onside kick attempts in the season ending victory. Ashton McManis contributed on Special Teams and proved to be an important player on Defense as he recovered three opponent fumbles on the year.

Coaches Comments: "This year's 8th grade football team fulfilled the challenges placed before them. They had good attendance at offseason strength and conditioning sessions, and worked hard from the first day of camp through the last game of the year. The players ongoing successes are only limited by their willingness to continue the hard work they have been putting forth, they have bright futures." Jeff Leslie

Coaching Staff: Jeff Leslie, Jerry O'Rand, Brad Herlocker, and Dave Wutke