By Logan Andrew | FreeWire — Your News, Your Voice
Galion (11-1) used big plays from twin brothers Kane and Kurt Hay, a stout defense, and some late drama to outlast No. 6 Sandusky Perkins 17-14 in a Division IV Region 14 semifinal at Unckrich Stadium on Friday night. The victory sends the second-seeded Tigers to the regional championship against Shelby.
Slow Start and Perkins’ Halftime Lead
Both defenses dominated the first half. Galion missed an early field goal, and Sam Evans’ interception couldn’t be turned into points. Perkins finally broke through late in the second quarter when quarterback Sam Schweinfurth hit Kaden Legando on a short pass that turned into a 42-yard touchdown, giving the Pirates a 7-0 halftime lead.
Head coach Matt Dick said his offense became conservative in the first half because he trusted his defense, noting that the Tigers have been “playing great defense for a long time.”
Third-Quarter Surge: Kane and Kurt Score
Galion flipped the game with two touchdowns in the third quarter. Midway through the period, Kane Hay caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ayden Schmidt to tie the score. Later, Schmidt drove the ball to the one-yard line but fumbled; Kurt Hay pounced on the loose ball in the end zone, pushing the Tigers ahead 14-7 with just over a minute remaining in the quarter.
Kane relished sharing the spotlight with his twin: “When I can get a big play and my twin … he made a ton of big plays. It means everything,” he said.
Frenetic Finish and Controversial Ending
Kicker Braylen Beachy extended Galion’s lead with a 21-yard field goal, making it 17-7 with 1:45 left. Perkins answered quickly — Schweinfurth connected with Legando on a 30-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 17-14 with 1:21 remaining.
Galion recovered the onside kick but was forced to punt, setting up a tense final drive. With four seconds left, Schweinfurth’s desperation throw into the end zone was intercepted by Kane Hay. As he attempted to return the pick, officials blew an inadvertent whistle; a Perkins player scooped the dropped ball and ran into the end zone, but after a lengthy conference the referees ruled the play dead and granted the Pirates one untimed down. The final pass was knocked away by Jamesen Glew, preserving the victory.
Coach Dick confirmed the officials acknowledged the inadvertent whistle: “(Hay) intercepted the ball and they blew the whistle by accident, so our kids stopped.”
Key Performances
Ayden Schmidt (QB) — Completed 15 of 22 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 28 yards.
Kane Hay (WR/DB) — Six receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown, plus the decisive interception on the final play.
Kurt Hay (WR) — Three receptions for 108 yards and the fumble-recovery touchdown.
Braxton Stuckman (RB) — 21 carries for 53 yards as Galion’s primary back.
Perkins quarterback Sam Schweinfurth threw for 266 yards and two scores but was intercepted twice. Legando caught seven passes for 107 yards and both touchdowns. The Tigers outgained the Pirates 349-323 in total offense and held a slim 15-14 edge in first downs.
Quotable and Next Up
Coach Dick praised his defenders for embracing a grind-it-out game and credited them for giving the offense time to wake up. Kane Hay said he intentionally tried to run the interception out of the end zone to drain the clock before the inadvertent whistle.
Looking ahead, Dick told his players that a rematch with top-seeded Shelby was possible if they did things right. After that prediction became reality, he added, “Two local teams — I mean, how awesome is that? … It’s going to be a heck of a game on Friday.”
Galion’s 17-14 victory showcased the Tigers’ resilience, the playmaking of the Hay twins, and a defense that delivered under pressure. The Tigers (12-1) will now face Shelby for the regional championship and a berth in the state semifinals.
Editor’s Note:
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