News and Announcements
Posted: 2006-08-31
GAME SUMMARY: Varsity vs. Howell
VARSITY: Hartland 6, Howell 17
By David Lee (8/31/06 @ 10:55pm) The Varsity dropped their first league contest against Howell before a packed stadium. The game was fairly evenly matched, but a couple of big plays for Howell — and a couple of bad breaks for Hartland decided the victory.
Howell got on the board first on a three-yard run at 4:06 left in the first quarter (extra point good). With 10:47 remaining in the second quarter, Ryan Wilkins threw a touchdown pass to Owen Wilkinson who made a tremendous diving leap to cross the goal line. Wilkins missed the extra point attempt. On Howell's next possession, Hartland's defense continued to play tough — with Brian Konkle sacking the QB and forcing Howell to punt. Greg Matthysen's long punt return was called back because of a penalty. With :40 seconds left in the first half, Wilkins was intercepted in an attempted pass to Wilkinson. Howell then drove down the field, methodically using the clock. Inside the ten — after a couple of broken-up passes from Zach Cooper and Matthysen — Howell settled for a field goal. Score at the half was 10-6, Howell.
In beginning of the third quarter, after Hartland's first drive stalled, Wilkins scrambled to retrieve an errant punt snap. He was unable to get the ball off and was consumed by Howell players. That put Howell in a very good position to score — and they took advantage of that by running the ball in from the six (extra point good). Hartland mounted a drive, but on 4th and 11 our receivers were covered well and Wilkins' attempt to scramble for the first down came up one yard short. Jordan Davis recovered a Howell fumble around mid-field which momentarily lifted Hartland. However, the offensive drive again stalled and we ended up burying Howell deep with a punt. Although sustaining some penalties, Howell was able to move the ball and eat-up the clock. After finally punting the ball away, it was Hartland's last offensive chance with under two minutes to go in the game. They made some gains on the ground and in the air, but again they came up short and had to punt. Howell then ran out the clock. Game over.