Goodrich’s varsity football team is still looking to find its way on both sides of the ball.
The Martians were victimized by the pass Friday, Sept. 2, when Bay City John Glenn shut out the host Martians 35-0, dropping Goodrich to 0-2 on the season. The Bobcats threw four touchdown passes against the Martians.
‘We held a very potent John Glenn team to 150 yards rushing, but we gave up four touchdown passes,? Goodrich coach Tom Alward said. ‘That was the story of the game.?
Offensively, Goodrich has struggled so far this season, as the Martians have scored a combined seven points in their two games.
‘We have to execute better,? Alward said. ‘We moved the ball consistently against them (John Glenn), but we seem to find a way to shoot ourselves in the foot. Once we find a way to correct that, we should score some points.?
Junior Paul Burt led the Martians in rushing with 49 yards on eight carries, while senior Joe Leppek added 44 yards on five carries. Defensively, junior linebacker Bennett Gillam led the Martians with 12 tackles.
Goodrich was slated to take on Durand in a Sept. 9 contest. The Railroaders, in their first season in the Genesee Area Conference Red Division, are currently 1-1 on the season following a 31-6 loss to Whitmore Lake Sept. 2.
Durand went 4-5 last year as a member of the Mid-Michigan ‘B? Conference.
‘They’re a good football team,? Alward said. ‘They’re a skilled team and not one-dimensional. We’re going to have to play well to beat them. If we can execute on both sides of the ball like we’re capable of, I like our chances.?
Goodrich’s next game is Friday, Sept. 16, when the Martians host perennial GAC Red Division powerhouse Montrose in a 7 p.m. matchup.
The Rams come off a 9-2 campaign in 2004, but both their losses came at the hands of the Martians. During the regular season, Goodrich won a 47-26 contest on Sept. 24, 2004.
After the Rams defeated Stockbridge 41-21 in their first-round playoff game, the Martians ended the Rams? season with a 46-22 win in second-round playoff action Nov. 5, 2004.
Montrose dominated the two most recent matchups prior to last season, defeating the Martians 28-7 in 2003 and 39-0 in 2002.