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Posted: 2008-09-05
2008 GAME SUMMARY: Varsity vs. South Lyon East
Hartland Defeats South Lyon East, 50-14
Hartland squared-off against the South Lyon East Cougars last Friday night and although it was the Cougars' first home game at their brand new facilities, it was a game I'm sure they would like to quickly forget. Hartland steam-rolled them with a 50-14 win.
Hartland started out on defense. We set the tone right away with huge, bone-jarring hits from linebacker Ryan Simancek (see video #1150) and defensive back Jared Felix (see videos #1151, #1152). SL could not do anything on their first drive and facing a 4th and 26 situation, punted the ball away. Wide receiver Matt Poches returned the punt for a few yards — putting the Eagles on SL's own 42.
On Hartland's first possession, slot back Max Nystrand got things started on a jet play left (see video #1153). On the very next play, running back Kyle Summerfield busted it wide-open with a big run up the middle then down the left sidelines (see video #1154). A SL player saved a touchdown, but Summerfield's run put us down inside their 5. On the next play, quarterback Chris Cagle ran a left-side keeper — spinning-off two SL players for the touchdown (see video #1155). Zach Minor's extra point was good and Hartland went on top 7-0 at 8:50 of the 1st quarter.
SL's next possession wasn't pretty. On one play, defensive back Vonn Jones lit-up a SL receiver (see video #1156). Shortly after that, defensive end Jon Stevens caused the SL QB to fumble, with Felix recovering on SL's 20 (see video #1157).
Hartland's multi-threat offense needed only one play to find the end zone. After keeping the first series on the ground, Hartland tested the skies. Cagle started a sprint-left roll-out — waiting for his receivers to hit their breaks — then drilled a pass to Poches for the 20-yard touchdown reception (see video #1158). Minor's extra point was good, and Hartland went up 14-0 with 7:55 left in the 1st.
Hartland's secondary continued to play tough with Simancek, Felix, and Ryan Takacs punishing a SL receiver for entering their zone (see video #1159) and Jones breaking-up a pass (see video #1160). SL was again forced to punt.
Hartland again started in great field position after a poor SL punt. The first play of that drive had Cagle throw a wide receiver screen to Jones who broke that for a huge gain down to the 15 yard line (see video #1161). From there, Cagle again found the end zone with a keeper to the right (see video #1162). Minor's extra point was good and Hartland increased their lead by three touchdowns, 21-0.
South Lyon continued to go to the air on their next possession with very limited success. On a 4th and 1 situation, instead of powering on the ground for the the 1st down, SL attempted another pass which they paid for dearly. After seeing a blitzing Simancek, the QB hurried his pass — which was thrown behind its intended receiver — and Felix conveniently stepped in front of and picked-off and ran it in for the touchdown (see video #1163). Minor missed the extra point kick and Hartland led 27-0 with 4:33 left in the 1st quarter.
On the ensuing kick-off, Hartland's Nick Schlagheck absolutely crushed the lead wedge man for SL — with Simancek cleaning-up on the ball carrier. Play close attention to this video as Schlagheck comes in on the right side like a tomahawk cruise missile (see video #1164).
South Lyon was able to move the ball a little on their next possession, but when they tried to trick us with a reverse pass, we made them pay for it with another interception. This time it was Jones who picked-off the pass and ran it down to the SL 15-yard line (see video #1165).
On the second play of that series, Cagle went back to the air on a deep fade right to Jones for the touchdown (see video #1166). Minor's kick was good and Hartland had a commanding lead, 34-0 with 3:03 left in the 1st quarter.
After kicking-off for the 5th time in the first quarter (see video #1167 spot-lighting Summerfield), the defense went back to work. Defensive tackle Charles Putz recorded a quarterback sack as the defense continued its domination of the SL offense (see video #1168). Big Josh Theis also notched a QB sack on this series (see video #1169). South Lyon again lined-up to punt, but this time the ball was snapped over the head of the punter and out of the end zone for a safety. This added two-points — making the score 36-0.
SL kicked-off from their 20 after the safety and Nystrand returned it about 35 yards to put Hartland in great field position with 1:28 left in the 1st.
The coaching staff pulled the first team at that point — giving our back-ups the opportunity to show-off their skills. One thing everyone can agree on — we've got depth! These boys were jacked and flying around the field. Big hits, more touchdowns... they gained tremendous game-time experience.
Taylor Garner entered the game for Cagle who finished with two rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns. Dan VanDyke and Matt Kenwell alternated at the running back position, and Mike Bryant and Ed Livingston saw action at the wide receiver position. There were also numerous position changes on the offensive and defensive lines. Everyone played great football!
Because this game summary has turned into a book (sorry!), I'm going to just hit on just a few highlights of the rest of the game below. Be sure to check-out the 40+ video highlights I captured of the entire game!
Kenwell's big run (video #1172)
Huge hit by Jake Ostrowski (#1176)
Nystrand's interception (#1178)
Garner's pass to Mike Bryant — TOUCHDOWN (#1182)
Jake Warner welcomes SL player to varsity football (#1183)
Garner's run up the middle — TOUCHDOWN (#1188)
Go Eagles!