By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The Garfield G-Men turned in a dominating performance defensively to secure a 17-7 victory on Friday over Lakeview.

For the game, the G-Men held Lakeview to just 45 yards of total offense on 35 total plays run.

Garfield (2-0) had to grind it out still, though, and held a narrow 3-0 lead at the half on a 38-yard field goal by Ethan Bittence that came with just 5 seconds remaining before the break.

Keegan Sell bumped the G-Men lead up to 10-0 on a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:32 in the third quarter that was capped by an extra-point kick by Bittence.

Lakeview, however, found an answer midway through the fourth quarter on a blocked punt that was recovered by Sam Balest that quickly turned Garfield’s lead into just 10-7.

A little over three minutes later, with 2:19 left in the game, Jesse Grace added an insurance touchdown for the G-Men, scampering in from 26 yards out. Once again, Bittence kicked the point-after.

Grace led all runners in the game with 103 yards on 20 attempts. Sell totaled 57 yards on his 12 carries.

The G-Men will host Warren John F. Kennedy on Friday. The Eagles have started the season 2-0 with victories over Champion (44-14) and Delta (37-12).