OLD GAELIC CRACKS WIN COLUMN

A week after an informative 27-10 loss in its home opener against Rocky Gorge, Old Gaelic reverted to form with a 55-0 thrashing of host Winchester.

It didn’t take long for the Black and Gold to get on the board on a beautiful day in a bucolic setting surrounded by vistas of the Shenandoahs.

After quickly penetrating the Cannon defense, Randy Smith found the try zone off a short lineout from Curtis Brillhart.  Soon thereafter, John Kroesen scored the part of his hat trick thanks to a feed from Dan Roth.  Kroesen struck again when he picked up a loose ball and rambled free.

Ken Ivey picked off an errant lineout toss by Winchester and plowed to paydirt.  Roth handed off another assist – this one to a sprinting Wes Beard – and the visitors led 31-0 after one period.

The onslaught continued in the second half when Kroesen found sod on a nifty dish by Mark Cooley.  Forwards Nick Adams and Matt Pomranning collaborated on a try before Ian Eggleston (Son of Spike II) plunged home for five in his Gaelic debut.  James Oliverio, M.D., also scored in his first outing for the Griffins on Cooley’s second assist to account for the final tally.

T:  Kroesen 3, R Smith, Ivey, Beard, Pomraning, I Eggleston, Oliverio.

A:  M Cooley 2, Roth 2, Brillhart, Adams.

C:  Roth 5.

1 R Smith/Lentz

2 Graham/Jacobs

3 Doughboy/Adamek

4 Pomraning

5 Hart/I Eggleston

6 Ivey

7 Adams

8 Brillhart

9 Sharpe

10 Roth

11 Beard

12 Kurtz/M Cooley

13 Kroesen/Oliverio

14 Ogle

15 Ramsey

Old Gaelic also prevailed in the “B” game, 24-12, on three late trys by Brian Ogle.  After falling behind 12-0, the Bees stormed back on a try by Beard.  Ogle’s try (both assisted by Brian Ramsey) and Dan Morris’s conversion knotted the score before Ogle scored twice more on Will Blaney’s fine feed and a generous dish by Beard.

The Griffs return to action at The Roses in Lancaster on March 25.

1 Lentz

2 Graham/Jacobs

3 Adamek

4 Heimbach

5 Tunis

6 Pomraning

7 Roth/Morris

8 I Eggleston

9 Marascuillo

10 Morris/Ramsey

11 Blaney

12 Kurtz

13 Oliverio

14 Beard

15 Ogle

NEWS & NOTES

The traveled well to Virginia.  It was great getting such great support from the Adams’ family.   …   This Saturday is open with a slim possibility of a scrimmage with the Turtleheads. … Have a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day!  (for entertainment, try The Antlers at O’Rorke’s in Gettysburg on Friday and at the Livery on Sunday  -- see Tunis for details).   …  Make sure everyone is CIPPed for MARFU’s.