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Sandwich was able to move the ball downfield on the game’s opening possession during Saturday’s Class 4A first-round game against visiting Geneseo.

But the Indians fumbled the ball to the Maple Leafs, who failed to take advantage.

On the Indians’ next possession, they fumbled it away again, but this time they wouldn’t be so fortunate as junior linebacker Phillip Anderson scooped it up and took in for a 27-yard touchdown.

Turnovers plagued the Indians as they never found any offensive rhythm, committing four miscues and seeing their season end with a 17-0 defeat.

“You’re never prepared for something like this and no one is expecting to lose the game,” Sandwich coach Dusty Behringer said. “We know Geneseo is a great good football team and have a great coach and it was privilege to have them to our place.”

Geneseo (6-4) increased their lead to 14-0 when they converted a crucial 4th-and-1 on the Sandwich 1-yard line with 38.4 seconds left in the first half. The Maple Leafs used 6:48 of the clock before Rayce Singush plowed in for the 3-yard touchdown.

Sandwich (6-4) saw its defensive unit on the field for most of the contest as Geneseo had 55 offensive plays compared to the 30 by the Indians as time of possession was key as well.

“We had a big dose of our medicine,” Behringer said. “We aim to win the time of possession and the turnover battle and we lost those too.”

The hosts remained within striking distance but the Maple Leafs slowly wound down the clock the second half by picking up three to four yards a carry and moving the chains. They consumed 7:22 from late in the third quarter until 7:18 left in the game when Kevin Wolak drilled a 26-yard field goal.

Senior Seth McDonald (10 carries, 64 yards) led the Indians.