By DELBERT PETERS

Staff writer

The 5-2 Goessel Bluebirds traveled to Canton on Friday looking for their third district win; however, a defensive battle that Goessel could not dominate turned into an Eagles victory, 40-32.

Canton-Galva scored first on a short run after intercepting a Bluebirds pass.

Trevor Beisel tied the game with a 71-yard punt return. Goessel took the lead on a pass from Josh Schmidt to Beisel in the back of the end zone for a 36-yard play.

The game was tied as the Eagles methodically moved the ball down the field and scored on a 19-yard sweep.

Beisel responded with a 44-yard gallop that gave the Bluebirds an 18-12 lead at halftime.

The Eagles took charge in the third quarter. Marching down the field on their first possession, they tied the game with a 2-yard run. When the Bluebirds couldn’t move the ball, Goessel’s punter was forced to run and was stopped by the Eagles defense, turning the ball over to Canton-Galva deep in Bluebirds territory. Canton-Galva scored quickly and took its first lead of the night with 4:40 to play in the third quarter. A surprise onside kick worked to perfection for the Eagles, and two plays later, passed for a 9-yard score to take a 34-18 lead.

Goessel clawed back on its first possession in the fourth quarter. Beisel ran off tackle for a 9-yard touchdown, trimming the deficit to 10, 34-24.

Canton-Galva responded with a 24-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 40-24.

Turnovers thwarted two subsequent Bluebirds drives. With 5 minutes left, Canton Galva intercepted a Bluebirds pass. After an Eagles punt, the Bluebirds marched to the Canton-Galva 1-yard line, but coughed up the ball on a fumble.

After forcing a punt, the Bluebirds scored on a 25-yard pass from Schmidt to Beisel, but ran out of time, losing 40-32.

Beisel had a banner day with 4 touchdowns. Zach Zogleman was credited with 10 tackles. Miguel Guerrero earned 9.5 stops and Kenny Hammond collected 9 tackles.

Goessel is 2-2 in district play and 5-3 for the season. The Bluebirds will be at home Thursday against district leader 4-0 Central Plains.