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Posted: 2006-10-24
GAME SUMMARY: Varsity vs. Ypsilanti
Hartland, Seniors Win Final Game
By David Lee — Hartland defeated the previously undefeated Ypsilanti Braves to win their last game of the year, 14-7. Fittingly — on Senior Night — is was the seniors who made the big plays in the victory.
Here's how it unfolded. After a pair of turn-overs, Ypsi got on the board first at 5:57 of the 2nd quarter on a long pass down the seam to their receiver who went the distance. After the extra-point kick, Ypsi was up 7-0.
On Hartland's next possession, we fumbled and Ypsi recovered. Ypsi then marched down to within the one yard line with only :24 seconds left in the 2nd quarter, but Hartland's defense was able to prevent them from scoring before the half.
In the 3rd quarter, junior running back Drew Mixter's slashing running style began to wear on the Ypsi defense. Our field condition (think "Mud Bowl") was at times a hindrance and other times an advantage. When Mixter ran the ball it appeared to be an advantage.
Hartland drove down inside Ypsi's 15 yard line with under 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, but Hartland was unable to punch it in. A 4th and goal situation had Wilkins' pass attempt to Greg Matthysen fall to the ground incomplete. It appeared to slip out of Wilkins' hand on delivery. At the end of the 3rd quarter, Hartland was still down 7-0.
The 4th quarter had a lot of drama. Hartland finally got on the scoreboard with 9:33 left in the game. It was an option-left call that had Wilkins carry-out his option about 10 yards up field, juking opponents as he quickly approached the sideline. Then, at the last possible second, after he drew-in the defenders, he pitched the ball to his disciplined and patiently-trailing back, Mixter. Mixter then tip-toed the left sidelines, keeping his balance, and ran into the end-zone for the score. It was a text-book option play and they ran it flawlessly. The sidelines and the crowd cheered excessively as everyone knew we had ourselves a ball game.
However, that feeling was short-lived, because what happened next was all too familiar: we could not convert the extra point(s). Instead of kicking an extra point to tie the game, the coaches decided to go for two. As Wilkins rolled-out right in search of a receiver in the end-zone, he was sacked from behind by a blitzing defender. Ypsi led, 7-6 and it temporarily took the wind out of our sails after such a great touchdown play just seconds earlier.
On Hartland's next possession, trailing with under 4 minutes left, Hartland was unable to continue their drive. On a 4th and 2 situation, Hanner received the hand-off but was unable to reach the first down marker. Hartland turned the ball back over to Ypsi with 3:19 left. Things weren't looking too good.
Is this how the seniors' last game would end? Were they so down on themselves that they just wanting the game and the season to end so they could put it all behind them? Hell no! Fight to the finish, baby! Leave it ALL on the field! And boy did they.
Our defensive — especially the seniors — were pissed. They fought like hell to get the ball back to the offense so they had one last chance to drive and score. Apparently, they were too anxious to wait for the offense and took matters into their own hands.
With 2:23 left in the contest, after forcing Ypsi to a pass, Wilkins intercepted Ypsi's quarterback and took it the distance for a Hartland touchdown. (Not sure of the exact yardage, but it had to have been a 70-80 yard return.) The place went wild! I turned back to look for any flags — NO FLAGS — so I went wild!
Hanner got the nod for our two-point conversion and out of pure desire and a whole lot of adrenaline, our offensive line steamrolled their line (#78 who?) allowing Hanner to reach the goal line. Hartland went up 14-7 with 2:23 left to play.
On Ypsi's next possession after the kick-off, they were desperate and immediately went the air with 2:10 left. It was at that point it was made clear to everyone in attendance — this game was meant to be ours. Senior DB, Owen Wilkinson, leapt outside of his own body to make a tremendously athletic interception. The pick-off stopped Ypsi cold and all we needed to do was run out the clock to preserve the victory.
And we did. Thanks to some great runs by Chad Fritz, Hartland was able to get a much-needed first-down to continue controlling and running-out the clock.
Victory was ours. I don't think you could have scripted it any better. This was simply a story-book ending for the seniors. Winning the last game they will ever play — on that field, in those uniforms — is something they will never, ever forget. Especially, the WAY they won. Great memories were etched in their brains the night of 10/20/06, and stories will be told (and retold countless times) for decades to come.
Congrats and GO EAGLES!