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Comets zip past Aviators

CINCINNATI, Ohio – The battle of the skies rivalry between Sycamore and Mason is one of the best in the area and this year’s matchup stacked up to be much of the same, at least for a half. The two squads went toe to toe in the first half, but Mason played a dominant second half to come away with a 38-18 victory over Sycamore at Dwire field.

Mason was led by Nick Sailers who had a career-night. The running back had five total touchdowns to lead his team to victory in front of a big home crowd. Sailers carried the ball 15 times for 138 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He also took his lone reception 41 yards for another score.

The two teams got off to a slow start as both defenses were up to the task in the first quarter. The teams exchanged punts all quarter long until Mason finally got some things going late in the quarter. The Comets were able to get into field goal range, but Colson Bunch’s try was no good with 2:10 to go in the quarter. The score was tied at zero after one stanza.

The second quarter saw a scoring outburst for the two teams. Mason got another drive going midway through the quarter and was aided by a pair of penalties on the Sycamore defense. After a completion, the Aviator secondary was hit for targeting and the very next play, a facemask penalty. The Comets were suddenly in the red zone and tailback Nick Sailors would cap the drive with a 3-yard score with 6:42 to go in the half.

Sycamore answered immediately in their first play from scrimmage. The Aviators drew up the halfback pass and Adrian Larkins found a wide open Gio Garrett for a 70-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7. This had the Aviators pumped up with a bit of momentum.

It showed as Sycamore forced Mason into a three and out. The Comets came out to punt and duped the Aviators’ special teams with a fake. Sean Kruekeberg rolled out to punt but instead went 33 yards up the sideline for the first down. Several plays later, Sailers would punch another score in from three yards out for a 14-7 advantage. Sycamore went on the two-minute drill, efficiently driving into field goal range and Tucker Groppe knocked in a 46-yard field goal as time expired. Mason led 14-10 at the half.

The second half started similarly as the first as there were three straight punts to start the half. Mason got the ball rolling with a solid drive on their second possession as they methodically drove down the field. Sailers found the endzone again with a 15-yard scamper to give the Comets a 21-10 lead. Sycamore went on a sustained drive but stalled inside the 10-yard line and had to settle for a Groppe field goal to start the fourth quarter. Sycamore had cut the lead to 21-13 but then Mason took off.

The Comets responded to the field goal almost immediately. Quarterback Larson Brown executed the screen pass and found none other than Nick Sailers who took the short pass and went 42 yards for the score, his fourth of the night. After forcing a quick three and out, it was Sailers once again striking. He took a handoff and went 66 yards for the score and his fifth of the night. Mason led 35-13 and were able to secure the victory in front of the home victory.

Sycamore got a big night from wideout Gio Garrett in the loss as he hauled in seven receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown in a losing effort.

SCORING BY QUARTERS
Sycamore 0-10-0-3-13
Mason 0-14-7-17-38

SCORING PLAYS
M: Nick Sailers 3-yard rush TD (Colson Bunch kick)
S: Gio Garrett 70-yard rec TD from Adrian Larkins (Tucker Groppe kick)
M: Nick Sailers 3-yard rush TD (Bunch kick)
S: Tucker Groppe 46-yard field goal
M: Nick Sailers 15-yard rush TD (Bunch kick)
S: Tucker Groppe 34-yard field goal
M: Nick Sailers 42-yard rec TD from Larson Brown (Bunch kick)
M: Nick Sailers 66- yard rush TD (Bunch kick)
M: Colson Bunch 30-yard field goal

RECORDS: Sycamore (0-8, 0-7 GMC; Mason (6-2, 6-1 GMC)

UP NEXT: Sycamore vs. Princeton; Mason vs. Fairfield

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