November 2, 2013

In the home finale of the 2013 season, the Geneva College senior class made no mistake in proving who would own the afternoon at Reeves Field. Led by the dynamic one-two quarterbacking punch of Zack Hayward and Rocco Colavecchia, the Golden Tornadoes pounced on the visiting Grove City Wolverines early and often on their way to a 39-7 victory on Senior Day.

Geneva decimated Grove City in nearly every category including a 495-213 edge in total yards of offense and most notably a 41:55-18:05 advantage in time of possession. Receiving the opening kick, the Golden Tornadoes wasted no time scoring on a 61 yard touchdown drive capped by a Colavecchia 3-yard TD run to make the score 7-0 just 4:12 into the matchup. After a back and forth finish to the first quarter, Hayward led another spectacular 10 play, 58 yard drive which was finished again with a 4 yard TD run by Colavecchia. A failed conversion set the score at 13-0 just seconds into the second quarter. The touchdown was the 44th of Colavecchia′s career leaving him just one shy of Geneva′s all-time touchdown mark.

As Grove City began to put together their first positive drive of the afternoon, Montias Jackson had different plans as he recovered a fumble at the Geneva 35, squashing any momentum the Wolverines may have mustered and propelling the Golden Tornadoes to another touchdown drive. Once again Hayward proved dangerous both with his arm and his legs as he orchestrated an 8 play, 66 yard drive capped by a Colavecchia 8 yard TD pass to Zachary Taylor to make the score 20-0 with 10:31 left in the half.

With 2:14 left in the first half, Kellen Mackey joined in on the scoring barrage with a 6 yard TD run which finished off a 15 play, 90 yard drive and gave the GTs a 27-0 lead. Before the half, Grove City finally put together a solid scoring drive as quarterback Brian Pell scored on a TD run with 50 seconds left in the first half. However, just a few plays earlier; Pell was leveled by linebacker Dillon Goodell causing him to miss the entire second half of play. Pell finished with a stat line of 7-15 for 95 yards and a rushing TD. The Golden Tornadoes went into the half leading the Wolverines 27-7.

Zachary Taylor highlighted Geneva′s second half with a 39-yard circus touchdown reception for Geneva′s only six-point score of the second half. Mike Gardner connected on a 32-yard field goal and Brett Alberti closed out the scoring when he lassoed a Wolverine runner in the end zone for a safety late in the game.

Hayward rushed for 81 yards on 14 carries to lead the rushing attack while collecting 286 yard on 29-36 through the air. Josh Guiser pulled in 12 of those passes for a team best 103 yards receiving. Geneva′s defense forced four turnovers including interceptions from Tim Martin and Thomas Benyo. For Martin, it was his fifth interception in his rookie season. Dillon Goodell led the defense with eight tackles to highlight his senior day afternoon.

“We have tremendous senior leadership,” said head coach Geno DeMarco. “Finishing an undefeated home season is a tribute to that leadership. I couldn′t be happier for this group of seniors and the way the finished today. This was by far our most complete team effort all season. We got things done in all three phases.”

While Geneva ended its home portion of the 2013 schedule, the Golden Tornadoes will still have work to do. Next Saturday, the Golden Tornadoes travel to Washington & Jefferson for a 7 pm kickoff before heading to Westminster on November 16th for the regular season finale.