In a battle of big plays versus sustained drives, the outcome is usually favorable for the team that can put together plays, move the chains and sustain drives.
Photo: Owen Huff celebrates a touchdown early in the game against Linton-Stockton. The Miners held off Greencastle 26-21.
Photo courtesy of Luke Morey/Greene County Daily World
Such was the case in the Greencastle-Linton-Stockton game, as the Tiger Cubs used big plays to race out to a quick lead, but in the end, it was the Miners, who held the ball for over 38 minutes, compared to Greencastle's 9:18 was the difference, escaping with a 26-21 come from behind win. With that time of possession, Linton-Stockton was able to grind out 357 yards of offense all on the ground, as well as 24 first downs. In addition, the Miners were 9-of-16 on third down opportunities. Greencastle, on the other hand, had 208 total yards and 9 first downs.
With the win, Linton-Stockton improved to 10-1 and will host Southmont for a sectional title, while the Tiger Cubs ended their season at 8-2.
Leading 21-14 in the closing minute of the first half, Greencastle looked to extend its lead by going for a 39-yard field goal from Ian Williamson, which he missed.
The momentum swing extended further to Linton-Stockton in the early moments of the third quarter as Greencastle went for it on fourth and eight and turned it over on downs.
From that point on, Linton-Stockton exerted its will on the Tiger Cubs, as the Miners went to its ground attack, keeping the ball in quarterback Paul Oliver's hands early and often and with 4:14 left in the third, Oliver found pay dirt from the goal line. Linton-Stockton's two point conversion attempt failed, leaving the Miners ahead 21-20.
The Miners would continue to wear down Greencastle in the early moments of the fourth quarter, as they got the Tiger Cubs to jump offsides on a crucial fourth and one at the Greencastle 32. Moments later, Oliver would find the end zone again, but the two point conversion failed, leaving the Miners ahead 26-21. For the game, Oliver carried 31 times for 187 yards and three touchdowns.
Greencastle looked to respond immediately on its next possession, as Lamar Moore took a handoff and raced 66 yards for a touchdown, only to have it negated by a penalty. That was a sign of things to come, as Oliver intercepted a tipped pass, putting an end to any chance Greencastle had of retaking the lead and scoring a victory.
Early on, it was all Greencastle, as Moore picked off Oliver inside the Greencastle 40 yard line, and a play later, Moore took a handoff from Cole Stephens and raced 66 yards to put the Tiger Cubs ahead 7-0. Linton-Stockton, however, would hold Moore to minus two yards the rest of the game.
Linton-Stockton would respond, as Oliver capped a 16-play, 80-yard drive with a 21-yard touchdown. The point after attempt failed, leaving the Miners trailing 7-6.
Greencastle would respond with a 42-yard touchdown pitch and catch from Stephens to Owen Huff to stretch the lead to 14-6.
Linton-Stockton would answer right back with Oliver and Jesse Voightschild moving the Miners down the field, before Voightschild found the end zone from six yards out. The two point conversion was good, knotting the two teams at 14-14.
Stephens and Huff would connect once more right before halftime, this time from 48 yards to give Greencastle a 21-14 advantage.
