CALIFORNIA -- Thanks to Ryan Geisel, Mapletown is in the driver's seat today in the Tri-County South Conference.
Geisel ran for 211 yards and four touchdowns as the Maples outscored the Trojans, 36-28, at Booster Field Friday in the showdown for first place.
"We didn't play defense all night," said a disappointed California coach Joe Kuhns after the Maples piled up 332 yards on the ground. "Up front we got beat up."
"Our experience came through," said Mapletown coach George Messich whose team is eyeing its first conference title in 17 years.
Although Mapletown (5-1, 4-0) jumped out to a 20-0 lead late in the first half, Messich feels the turning point may have come early in the second quarter.
A 38-yard touchdown run by Geisel midway in the first quarter gave the Maples a 6-0 lead before the Trojans (3-3, 3-1) drove to the Mapletown one yard line where they had a first down to open the second quarter.
California, however, ended up on the Maples' 13 four plays later as J.D. Hawk and Brandon Rossi were stopped for no gains on the first two plays before quarterback Donte Valentino fumbled and was thrown for a four-yard loss before Waugh Carter was tackled for an eight-yard loss on fourth down.
"That goal line stand gave us a lot of confidence," admitted Messich.
Mapletown then drove 87 yards to make it 12-0 with Geisel dashing the last 32 yards for the touchdown.
Less than five minutes later, Mapletown had another touchdown on Jon Caldwell's seven-yard pass to sophomore Nick Popernack.
California got on the scoreboard with 42 seconds left in the first half on Valentino's 48-yard pass to Chris McVicker.
Midway in the third quarter Geisel went over from two yards out and tacked on the two-pointer to give the Maples a 28-6 cushion before Valentino's eight-yard scoring trimmed the deficit to 28-12.
A minute later Geisel broke a 57-yarder and Caldwell threw to Justin Yost for the two-pointer to up the lead to 36-12.
California, however, came back to make it interesting in the fourth quarter.
Carter went over from nine yards out after a 27-yard pass from Valentino to Chris McVicker on a fourth and four with Stephen Chester adding a two-pointer to close to within 16.
The Trojans cut the margin to eight with 3:33 left on Valentino's 14-yard run followed by his run with the two-pointer.
California almost recovered JD Hawk's onside kick at the Maples' 48 with Mapletown running out the clock.
Although Mapletown is sitting on top of the conference as the lone unbeaten, Kuhns sees the Maples losing at least one game.
"Monessen will beat them," he said. "Monessen has a better team."
NOTES: Valentino ran for 137 yards and threw for 114. California resumes Friday at Jefferson-Morgan with Mapletown hosting Geibel the same night.
