The Goodrich football team had their chances to win against host Richmond, but a couple of key plays late spelled the difference.
Travis Pietrykowski rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to lead Richmond past Goodrich 27-14 in opening-game action Aug. 28.
The two teams were deadlocked at 14 heading into the final period when Pietrykowski scored on a 45-yard touchdown run with 11 minutes left. He added a 69-yard touchdown run later in the period to seal the win for Richmond (1-0).
Goodrich coach Tom Alward is still optimistic about the Martians’ season, but he said the team needs to take away some of the big plays by the opposition.
“We had several opportunities to win,” he said. “We think we’re going to be a pretty good football team, but we need to eliminate some mistakes.”
The Martians (0-1) tied the game in the second quarter on a three-yard run by Kirk Elsworth and a two-point conversion from Matt Hill to Lance Keene. Elsworth also scored Goodrich’s other touchdown earlier in the game on a six-yard touchdown run.
For the game, Elsworth finished with 179 yards on 25 carries, while Hill added 54 yards on nine carries. Alward said seniors Barrett Johnson and Adam McAuliffe (who played both sides of the ball) also played well for Goodrich.
Defensively, junior linebacker Andy Bohlen led the Martians with three solo and 12 assisted tackles, while McAuliffe made four solo and 11 assisted tackles, junior linebacker Robert Overcashier three solos and 10 assists, and Elsworth five solos and seven assists. Junior safety Adam Compeau picked off a pass for Goodrich.
The Martians played their first home game Sept. 5 against Westland John Glenn. “John Glenn is a perennial power,” he said. “It will be a tough ballgame, but we’re optimistic we’ll do well.”
Their next action is Friday, Sept. 12 when they travel to Genesee for a 7 p.m. kickoff.