GRIFFITH | Friday night's Griffith homecoming had perfect weather -- for a corral reef.
The Panthers and Times No. 5 Munster, playing slip-and-slide on a field that resembled chocolate pudding, traded punches and mud pies the entire game before Griffith emerged a 7-6 Northwest Crossroads Conference winner.
"It's getting there," coach Russ Radtke said of a defense that had three interceptions and two sacks. "Its speed and aggressiveness is what we like."
Griffith (3-3, 3-1) led 7-6 at the half and had its hands full trying to keep Munster (4-2, 2-1) out of the end zone from that point on.
Quarterback Calvin Bonewits' 7-yard touchdown run in the opening period was set up by Eddie Johnson's 27-yard punt return. Munster's Mark Strbjak countered on a short plunge in the second and helped sustain that drive with a 22-yard keeper and an 18-yard completion to Justin Gill.
But varsity reserve Ethan Flahaven, filling in for injured Jake Smith, missed the PAT -- possibly costing Munster its second straight game.
Nick Biancardi sacked Strbjak twice and his constant pressure helped force interceptions by Johnson at the Griffith 2, by Steven Kepchar at the hosts' 41 and Cory Stidham at the Munster 36.
"I try to keep everybody's energy up," said the active Biancardi. "I yell 'Deck!' and they all yell 'Destroy!' I don't even know what it means, but seniors in the past have always said that.
"Our defense is progressing week after week. Everybody is getting smarter, understanding their assignments better."
Introducing members of Griffith's undefeated 1963 team, coached by Tom Kurth, and a pregame fireworks display was a nice touch to the soggy evening. But this was still a matchup Munster could've pulled out.
"It was a crazy game," coach Leroy Marsh said as his players quietly boarded the team bus. "Griffith played well and deserved to win. We got caught in bad field position the first half and never got out from under it."
Munster's last three games have been decided by seven points and Marsh was asked if it'll now be a challenge building up his players' confidence.
"Our challenge is to get ready for Hobart (beginning Saturday)," he replied.
PREP FOOTBALL
Griffith 7, No. 5 Munster 6
Griffith scored in the opening quarter and then held off the Mustangs.
