Guard shuts down Tyler All Saints, 43-0

TYLER — Brook Hill had come close to shutouts this season, but despite its undefeated record it hadn’t been able to completely keep the opposition off the scoreboard.

That changed Friday with the Guard going on the road and opening TAPPS Division II District 2 play with a dominant 43-0 victory over Tyler All Saints.

Even when All Saints looked to be in position to score, a Brook Hill defender denied it.

This was never more evident than late in the first quarter. All Saints completed a deep pass and the receiver was running for the goal line. The receiver didn’t realize that Parker Galbraith was in hot pursuit just behind him. The senior caught up to the Trojans player, and while lunging to make the stop, jarred the ball loose for a fumble that Jordan Wyatt recovered for the Guard.

In the fourth quarter, All Saints tried a double pass trick play to score points, but senior Alec Kitt was not fooled and made an interception — one of four turnovers Brook Hill forced in its victory.

The Guard moved to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in TAPPS D-II District 2.

Junior Jermiah McGowen rushed for 3 touchdowns with junior quarterback Hood Taylor completing 12 of 17 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown. Taylor’s favorite target was Galbraith, who caught six passes for 71 yards.

Along with Galbraith and Kitt forcing turnovers, senior Logan Fitzgerald recovered a fumble for the Guard.

Senior Brooks Parham rushed for 30 yards and a touchdown on offense while also leading the defense with 12 tackles, three of those for loss. Junior Campbell Fletcher produced 10 tackles (4 TFL) and a sack with junior Jake Ballenger totaling 10 tackles as well with 4 tackles for loss. Junior Andrew Brooks finished with two sacks to go with his eight tackles.

Sophomore Caleb Collins was 5 for 5 on his extra-point attempts.

Brook Hill went in front 8-0 in the first quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run by Parham followed by a two-point run from Parham.

After Galbraith’s forced fumble denied All Saints, the Guard responded with another scoring drive that was cashed in by Jermiah McGowen on a 5-yard run. Jermiah McGowen’s second touchdown of the second quarter gave Brook Hill a 22-0 lead at halftime.

Jermiah McGowen’s third touchdown of the game increased the lead further.

Hood Taylor put a passing score on the board when he connected with Alec Kitt for a 57-yard touchdown.

A Kitt interception helped spark Brook Hill’s final scoring drive of the game with freshman Gavin Welling punching it in from 3 yards out for the 43-0 final.

GUARD STATS

Rushing (36-231): Jermiah McGowen 14-69 (3 TDs), Sam Nechi 9-68, Hood Taylor 6-55, Brooks Parham 5-30 (TD), Gavin Welling 2-9 (TD), Jordon McGowen 3-23

Passing: Hood Taylor 12-17-0 203 (1 TD)

Receiving: Parker Galbraith 6-71, Carson Ezell 2-27, Garrett Davis 2-47, Brooks Parham 2-23, Alec Kitt 1-57 (TD), Tagan Parma 1-5

Interceptions (2): Alec Kitt 1, Parker Galbraith 1

Forced Fumbles (1): Parker Galbraith

Recovered Fumbles (2): Logan Fitzgerald 1, Jordan Wyatt 1

Sacks (2): Campbell Fletcher 1, Jermiah McGowen 1

Tackles for Loss (21): Andrew Brooks 5, Jake Ballenger 4, Campbell Fletcher 4, Brooks Parham 3, Joseph Ardi 3, Jermiah McGowen 2

Total Tackles: Brooks Parham 12, Campbell Fletcher 10, Jake Ballenger 10, Andrew Brooks 8, Joseph Ardi 5, Jordon McGowen 5, Chidiebere Nechi 4, Parker Galbraith 4, Carson Ezell 4, Jermiah McGowen 3, Alec Kitt 2, Logan Fitzgerald 2, Colby White 1