The Goodrich football team struck early and late in the game to earn their first win of the season Sept. 12.
The Martians scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and two more in the fourth quarter on their way to a 29-10 defeat of host Genesee. With the win, Goodrich improved to 1-2 on the season.
Senior James Loftis scored on a 8-yard run in the first quarter, while junior Kirk Elsworth added a three-yard touchdown run. The two combined again in the fourth quarter, when Loftis broke free for a 22-yard touchdown run and Elsworth cashed in from one yard out.
“Genesee was all over Kirk because they knew he was a good running back,” Goodrich coach Tom Alward said. “Jimmy stepped it up, and that opened up some opportunities for Kirk.”
Senior quarterback/kicker Matt Hill connected on three point-after attempts, while senior split end Lance Keene caught a two-point conversion pass.
Alward said another player who stepped it up for the Martians was sophomore quarterback Dominic Rivera, who helped out the Martians in a pinch.
“He did a great job in the second half when Matt Hill got hurt,” he said. “He had a couple of bumps for us early but then he was great for us. He came in a pressure situation and did the job.”
The Martians hosted defending Division 5 state champion Montrose in their first Genesee Area Conference Red Division game Sept. 19.
“We’re going to try and slow them down and be physical,” Alward said of the Martians’ game against Montrose. “They’re very well-coached, strong, and have good quickness. They don’t make mistakes — that’s probably their biggest attribute.”
Goodrich’s next contest is their Homecoming game Sept. 26, when the Martians host Lake Fenton.
Last year, the Blue Devils qualified for the state playoffs for the first time in school history, and finished 8-3 overall and 3-2 in the GAC Red Division. As of press time, Lake Fenton sports a 2-1 record.
Lake Fenton returns 13 players from last season on their 22-man roster. Leading the way are three seniors: wide receiver Clint Keranen, offensive lineman Dustin Pitman and linebacker Evan Lloyd.