Fremont Ross gets fourth postseason victory at home over Sylvania Southview

Zacarius Burel accelerates so fast, if he gets past the line of scrimmage, there’s a good chance he’s gone.

Fremont Ross coach Ken Winters also reaches top speed more quickly than most. The Little Giants topped visiting Sylvania Southview 42-14 Friday night, Oct. 30, for the fourth postseason victory at home in program history, including the coronavirus season.

Ross has never won two postseason games in the same campaign. The Little Giants have won seven straight games this year. They finished first in the Northern Lakes League Cardinal Division.

“We were able to get the community a home playoff football game,” Winters said. “Not only that, but a win. It was (the seniors’) last home game. A playoff win the last time on the field is special. It started with the fans showing up.

“It was a full house and the atmosphere fed into our kids.”

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Burel’s speed was on display as he scored late in the second quarter, and twice more for a 42-7 margin in the third quarter. He turned on the jets and was hardly touched on the way to his third touchdown.

Southview scored for a 14-7 deficit late in the second quarter. It didn’t score again until 2 minutes, 17 seconds remained. Kevin Jones intercepted a pass.

“That can be an explosive team,” Winters said. “The defense stepped up.”

Mason Englund pulled in a contested catch in the third quarter. He was covered, but went and got the ball anyhow.

“If he’s not the best athlete in the area,” Ross quarterback Breylen Garza said. “Even if he is covered, I can throw it up. I believe in him over anybody.”

This is Winters’ first season at the helm for Ross. Watching Garza, Winters recognized the heart of a lion in his new quarterback. Garza frequently scrambled around and made something happen. Winters wanted Garza to work on his footwork and coverage reads in order to become a complete signal caller.

Garza, who opened the scoring with a touchdown run, also developed as a leader this season. He saw that everyone wasn’t on the same page prior to a timeout and deftly pulled back and option read for a 40-yard keeper to the 2. Ben Waggoner capped the drive with a touchdown run. Garza’s teammates seem to respond to him.

“Coach Winters put a big emphasis on that,” Garza said of leadership. “Everyone is watching me. It’s big. Coming in as a senior, younger kids look up to you. You have to lead in a positive light. All the hard work from the summer. All the hours — the blood, sweat and tears.

“Giving back to the community and the hard wor paying off, it’s a good feeling. It’s a team. No man is an island. We have to take strength from each other.”

mhorn@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Fremont Ross gets fourth postseason victory at home over Sylvania Southview