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Top-seeded Granville survives persistent Division 11 rival St. Francis DeSales to avenge last season’s loss

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GRANVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) — On a cold Friday night, the 8th seeded St. Francis DeSales Stallions traveled to Granville to face off against the Granville Blue Aces in a rematch from last season. From the season prior, it was DeSales that bested the Blue Aces 56-35 to end Granville’s 2020 season.

Granville starting quarterback Carson Crouch has been ruled out for the season and it would be Junior Tyler Ernsberger stepping in to fill some very big shoes.

Things would start great for Granville. Utilizing a heavy run based offense early, clock was being chewed up and for the Blue Aces, that was perfect. It allowed them to open a short passing attack for Ernsberger and it would be successful. A quick pass from Ernsberger to Christian Hilton would be completed for a touchdown to give Granville an early 7-0 lead.

Stiff defense held this game to a 7-0 score for a majority of the first half. That was until a huge run from DeSales put them within scoring territory. A Whit Hobgood connection with Rechee Smith would put the Stallions on the board. A missed PAT would loom large as the score sat at 7-6 heading into the halftime break.

DeSales had to feel great about such a close game. They held a great offense to a lower score line and they found their own offense before the break.

On the Granville sideline, they should also have felt great. A backup quarterback has your team leading in the playoffs and he has played a great game regardless of how many points they had.

Devon Haley, number 8, of the Granville Blue Aces, is tackled by the St. Francis DeSales Stallions' defensive line during their high school football playoff game in Granville, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. The Blue Aces went on to win 19-12.
Devon Haley, number 8, of the Granville Blue Aces, tosses the football to a referee during the Blue Aces high school football playoff game against the St. Francis DeSales Stallions, in Granville, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. The Blue Aces went on to win 19-12.
Devon Haley, number 8, of the Granville Blue Aces, waits for the play to begin in their playoff game against the St. Francis DeSales Stallions, in Granville, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. The Blue Aces went on to win 19-12.
Devon Haley, number 8, of the Granville Blue Aces, is tackled by the St. Francis DeSales Stallions' defensive line during their high school football playoff game in Granville, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. The Blue Aces went on to win 19-12.
Colin Sheehan, number 60, of the Granville Blue Aces, is seen playing football in their high school football game against the St. Francis DeSales Stallions, in Granville, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. The Blue Aces went on to win 19-12. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Members of the Granville high school celebrate after their 19-12 win in a playoff game against St. Francis DeSales, in Granville, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Christian Hilton of the The Granville Blue Aces catches a pass during their 19-12 victory against the Columbus St. Francis DeSales Stallions in Granville, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Christian Hilton of the The Granville Blue Aces raises his hand in celebration after catching a pass during their 19-12 victory against the Columbus St. Francis DeSales Stallions in Granville, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Members of the Granville high school celebrate after their 19-12 win in a playoff game against St. Francis DeSales, in Granville, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
Members of the Granville high school cheerleading team celebrate after their school's 19-12 victory in their playoff match against the St. Francis DeSales high school football team in Granville, Ohio, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]

A huge mistake from DeSales would cost them. A simple screen pass incompletion would turn out to be a fumble and a recovery for Granville to set them up in the red zone. This would result in a touchdown to make it 13-6 after a failed 2pt conversion.

Both teams entered the final stretch with a chance to win. Granville would take advantage when Devon Haley would score from a rushing touchdown.

Haley had been a factor all night long with this heavy running approach. They tired out the Stallions and it was beginning to show. 19-6 Blue Aces.

Great defense from the Blue Aces would hold onto the lead after a failed onside attempt. The Granville Blue Aces survive the upset 19-12 and look forward to a match-up against London.

Backup quarterback Tyler Ernsberger lead his team to a home playoff win and looked good in doing so. He will be someone to look for throughout the playoffs and he could potentially become the next Carson Crouch.