Goodrich’s varsity football team made sure they headed into a pivotal league game firing on all cylinders.
The Martians set the stage for their big Genesee Area Conference Red Division showdown with Montrose by rolling to a 47-12 Homecoming victory against Byron Sept. 17.
With the win, the Martians improved to 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in league competition.
Senior Kirk Elsworth tallied four touchdowns on the day, while senior quarterback Keith Brotherton threw touchdown passes.
The Martians wasted no time taking control of the game, scoring 27 points in the first quarter. Elsworth scored two touchdowns in the quarter, on runs of 20 and 75 yards, while Brotherton threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to junior Eric Hughes and a 44-yard scoring strike to junior Basil Wilson.
Elsworth’s other two touchdowns came in the second quarter, one on a 60-yard punt return and the other on a one-yard run. He totaled 186 yards on 14 carries.
Adam Compeau rounded out the Goodrich scoring with a 17-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Senior Andy Bohlen led the Martian defense with 14 tackles, while senior Mark Bourass contributed 13 tackles.
This past weekend, the Martains traveled to Montrose for a key GAC Red showdown with the Rams Sept. 24. Coach Tom Alward said the Martians will be facing a top-notch team led by Tim Burnison, Jamal Chapman, and Aubrey Pleasant.
‘We’re just oging to have to play our best football game and stay away from turnovers,? he said. ‘They have many weapons. It’s the most talented Montrose team I’ve seen.?
After the Montrose game, the Martians? next contest is Oct. 1, when they travel to Lake Fenton for a 7 p.m. contest. The Blue Devils went 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the GAC Red Division last season.
Currently, Lake Fenton is 3-1 after suffering a 45-14 loss to Montrose on Sept. 17.