What an evening it was in Wyandot County! Galion spent most of Friday night trying to erase one explosive first quarter, and then needed only the final 100 seconds to turn the game into one they will remember. Kane Hay scored on a 3-yard run with 1:40 remaining, and Galion’s defense stopped Carey inside the 5-yard line on the Blue Devils’ final possession to preserve a 21-17 comeback victory.
Galion trailed by 14 points, tied the game in the third quarter, fell behind again in the fourth and still found one final answer.
The other two high schools in the 1831Galion coverage area saw action as well, with Colonel Crawford falling to Fairfield Union and Northmor being defeated by Smithville.
Carey lands the first punches
The Blue Devils needed little time to take control. Tripp Phoenix broke loose for an 88-yard touchdown run, giving Carey the kind of sudden momentum that can reshape an entire night. Mace Puckett followed with a 4-yard scoring run, putting the Blue Devils ahead 14-0 before the first quarter ended. It was exactly the start Carey needed after opening the season with a 34-7 loss to Marion Local. Galion, meanwhile, was trying to recover from a 36-12 defeat at St. Marys Memorial.
For a quarter, the Tigers appeared headed toward another difficult road result.
Then their defense changed the game.
Capretta provides the spark
Dominic Capretta intercepted a Carey pass and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Blue Devils’ lead to 14-7 before halftime. The play did more than put seven points on the scoreboard. It gave Galion life without requiring its offense to produce a long drive. It also prevented Carey from carrying a two-touchdown advantage into the locker room.
Galion continued its climb in the third quarter. Hay connected with Jamesen Glew for a 19-yard touchdown pass with about five minutes remaining in the period. The score completed the Tigers’ comeback and sent the teams into the fourth quarter tied at 14.
Hay delivers the final answer
Carey regained the lead midway through the fourth quarter when Benson Kloepfer kicked a 32-yard field goal. The Blue Devils were back in front 17-14, and Galion’s comeback was suddenly in danger of becoming a near miss. Hay refused to let it end that way, however. The junior quarterback directed the Tigers down the field and finished the possession himself, sprinting into the end zone from 3 yards out with 1:40 remaining. The touchdown gave Galion its first lead of the night at 21-17, but Carey still had time.
The Blue Devils drove inside the Galion 5-yard line, threatening to reclaim the game in the closing moments. This time, the Tigers’ defense did not bend any further. Galion made the stop and completed a comeback that had begun with Capretta’s interception return before halftime.
Local broadcaster Q92.7 WQEL selected Hay as Galion’s player of the game. Puckett received the honor for Carey, while Blake Chelski was recognized as the game changer.
A rivalry win with added meaning
The victory moved Galion to 1-1 and dropped Carey to 0-2. It also extended the Tigers’ winning streak in the series to four games. Galion defeated Carey 21-14 in 2023, survived a 14-8 game in 2024 and rolled to a 41-14 victory in 2025. This one required something different. Galion had to absorb an 88-yard touchdown, recover from a 14-point deficit, answer a fourth-quarter field goal and protect the lead with Carey only a few yards from the end zone.
The Tigers did all four.
Galion returns home to face unbeaten Bishop Ready at 7:00 PM Friday, Sept. 4. Carey travels to Lucas for a 7:00 PM kickoff that same evening. MaxPreps lists Galion at 1-1 and Carey at 0-2 following Friday’s finish.
Eagles, Golden Knights Fall
Friday brought more difficult results for two other area teams. Colonel Crawford rallied from a 14-0 deficit entering the fourth quarter, but Fairfield Union added six points and held off the Eagles 20-14 in Lancaster. Northmor had a tougher night on the road, falling 59-15 at Smithville.