Margaretta's Luzader, Bailey run past Huron

CASTALIA — Margaretta enjoyed the return of its football rivalry with Huron. The Polar Bears came up big on third down and rode Carter Luzader and Tyson Bailey to a 26-7 win over Huron on Friday at a busy Duck Pond. It was Margaretta's first football win over Huron since 2010. The Tigers had won six straight in the series, which was halted in 2017 and will resume again in 2028. Luzader carried 23 carries for 106 yards and caught eight passes for 116 yards. The speedy senior, who took many direct snaps, totaled four touchdowns a week after scoring six times. Bailey, a physical senior running back, carried 23 times for 141 yards in his first game action of the season. He missed the first three outings recovering from an offseason injury. "We wanted to feature both of them," Margaretta coach Lucas Poggiali said. "That was the game plan all week when we knew we would have Tyson. "Just to have the ability to put them both back there next to (quarterback) Robbie LaCourse and keep the defense on their toes was really big for us." Margaretta improved to 3-1 while Huron dropped to 0-4. Margaretta set the tone by starting the game with a 14-play, 80-yard drive that chewed up nearly eight minutes. The Bears converted three straight third downs and were stopped on the fourth. But on fourth-and-6 from Huron's 27-yard line, Luzader took a pass from LaCourse to the end zone for a 7-0 lead. Huron had a 40-yard gain from Grant Periat wiped off the board due to a holding call, which stalled the Tigers' first series. Late in the first quarter, LaCourse hit Kale Bailey for a 42-yard pass play that set up Luzader's seven-yard touchdown run on a direct snap. Huron quickly moved into Margaretta territory when Robert Fisher connected on Chris Viviano for a 37-yard screen pass. On fourth down, the Bears' Mason Reinbolt intercepted a pass to stop the Tigers. Margaretta responded with a 12-play, 69-yard scoring drive that was capped on Luzader's 9-yard touchdown run. Margaretta outgained Huron 226-49 in the first half and had 14 first downs to Huron's two. Huron's defense was stingier in the second half and the Tigers got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter. Fisher's 39-yard pass to Periat gave Huron first-and-goal at the Margaretta 10. After Viviano gained seven yards, Fisher scored on a 3-yard run around the right end. Luzader fumbled in Huron territory on the next possession and Max Jacobs recovered. Huron's brief momentum gain ended when Luzader intercepted Fisher over the middle. Margaretta then put away the game with an eight-play, 53-yard scoring drive. Bailey carried for six, 16 and three yards on the drive before Luzader scored on a three-yard run. LaCourse completed 11 of 15 passes for 185 yards. Margaretta carried the ball 50 times for 255 yards and totaled 440. The Bears had 22 first downs. Huron's Fisher completed 10 of 19 passes for 117 yards and threw two picks. Viviano carried nine times for 34 yards and caught three passes for 53 yards. "We did not have to get our kids up this week," Poggiali said. "(The rivalry game) is just really good for both communities. We had a great crowd and it was a great night of high school football." Prior to the game, Margaretta's 1996 football team was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame. Those Polar Bears reached the state semifinals in Division IV. Margaretta makes the long trip to Louisville St. Aquinas next Friday while Huron hosts Tiffin Columbian in one of its Northern Ohio Conference crossover matchups. Huron 0 0 7 0 — 7 Margaretta 7 13 0 6 — 26 M — Carter Luzader 27 pass from Robbie LaCourse (Jaxon Shearn kick) M — Luzader 7 run (Shearn kick) M — Luzader 9 run (kick failed) H — Robert Fisher 3 run (Carter Brennan kick) M — Luzader 3 run (pass failed)