GREENCASTLE — A key caused turnover in the fourth quarter by Waynesboro played a big part in the Indians’ 27-21 win over Greencastle-Antrim at Kaley Field on Friday night in a season-opening football game.

Noah Shifflett

‘Boro had just taken a 20-14 lead midway through the fourth period. On the kickoff, an Indian player, Shawn Smith, wrestled the ball away from the G-A returner, and it became Waynesboro’s ball at the Greencastle 26.

Four plays later, Kean Baumgardner scored from the 4 to make it 27-14.

The Blue Devils were able to score a touchdown — a 25-yard pass from Gavin Logsdon to tight end Kyle Ramirez — but ‘Boro recovered an onsides kick and ran out the clock.

“I thought offensively we looked good,” Greencastle coach Jason Thurston said. “We ran the ball really well and had several runs of 15 yards plus. Our backs — Blake Reuter, Asher Whitson and Lars Galinanes — all ran hard.

“But we made a lot of mistakes, like delay of game penalties. And we gave them a few opportunities that they pounced on. Our tackling was much better than in the scrimmage, except for a couple of plays.”

Waynesboro’s opening possession resulted in a 2-yard run by Baumgardner, but the kick failed. G-A went ahead 7-6 on the next play when Reuter turned an off-tackle play into a 58-yard scoring run and Blake Witmer kicked the point.

In the second period, Noah Shifflett took a pass from Lane Barry 46 yards to the end zone and the Blue Devils led 14-6 with 3:51 left.

But the Indians retaliated when QB Rayshawn Hewitt scrambled from the pocket, then pulled up and found Jeremiah Murray deep for a 41-yard touchdown. A failed two-point conversion left it 14-12 G-A at the half.

Early in the fourth quarter, Hewitt threw a short hitch pass to Christian Munday. He appeared to be hemmed in by Blue Devil defenders along the sideline, but he somehow avoided being tackled and turned it into an 86-yard scoring play, giving ‘Boro the lead, 20-14.

“We had guys in position to make that tackle, but we failed to make it,” Thurston said.

“I think we’re a good team. I saw a lot of positives. If we can focus on those positives and clear up the negatives, we’ll be OK.”

The Blue Devils play at Susquehanna Township on Friday at 7 p.m. Waynesboro plays at Gettysburg.