The Goodrich football team has suddenly found itself in the thick of the Genesee Area Conference Red Division race.
Junior running back Kirk Elsworth compiled 309 total yards, including 197 rushing yards, and scored three touchdowns as the Martians upset host Mt. Morris 37-29.
Goodrich is now 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the GAC Red, which places them in a four-way tie for first along with Mt. Morris, Montrose and Lake Fenton.
Elsworth put the Martians up front 6-0 on a 17-yard touchdown run with 2:02 left in the first quarter. After Mt. Morris came back to take a 7-6 lead, Goodrich answered with a 20-yard field goal by senior Matt Hill to take a 9-7 lead.
The Martians then took command of the game with two touchdowns late in the second quarter. Senior Adam McAuliffe scored on a one-yard touchdown run with 2:05 left in the second, and Elsworth scored on a two-yard touchdown run with nine seconds left. Hill’s two-point conversion pass to senior Lance Keene was successful, putting the Martians up 24-7 at the half.
Goodrich and Mt. Morris then traded scores in the third quarter. After Mt. Morris scored, Elsworth then returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards, which set up his one-yard touchdown run with 5:15 left in the third, giving the Martians a 37-14 lead.
Mt. Morris attempted a furious comeback with two late touchdowns, but Goodrich held on for the win.
Powered by Elsworth’s efforts, the Martians compiled 291 yards rushing and dominated the game in terms of time of possession, keeping the ball for 31:21.
The Martians hosted LakeVille Oct. 10, and travel to Byron Oct. 17 for a 7 p.m. contest.