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Posted: 2008-09-19
2008 GAME SUMMARY: Varsity vs. Brighton
Hartland Continues to Roll — Beats Brighton, 38-17
I think most would agree that our boys made a statement Friday night. What a game! It was nice to finally see how we could match-up against former KVC power-houses instead of some of the newer KLAA teams. Perhaps the critics can step back a little and see that this team is for real.
The action started with Hartland kicking off to Brighton. Our first defensive series highlighted some of the skill and power of seniors, Jon Stevens (see video #1231), Ryan Simancek (video #1232), and Jake Warner (video #1233), among others. The Brighton drive ended in a punt that pinned us inside our own five. Hartland lost a fumble on the first play putting Brighton on our one-yard line. Two plays later they scored on a QB sneak — their extra point was good — and they led 7-0 with 6:55 left in the 1st quarter.
Hartland senior, Vonn Jones (WR/DB) ran the ensuing kick-off to our own 45-yard line before slipping (video #1234). Hartland's second offensive series had senior, Chris Cagle (QB) running a keeper (video # 1235) as well as throwing a couple of passes to sophomore, Matt Poches (WR) (video #1236 and #1237). Junior, Matt Kenwell added another 1st down with a nice run up the middle (video #1238). A broken play resulted in a 4th and 6 situation. Senior, Zach Minor (K) came out to attempt a 37-yard field goal — which was good (video #1239) and Hartland trailed Brighton 7-3 with 1:51 left in the 1st quarter.
Hartland's next defensive series included huge plays from Stevens (watch him beast the blocking running back then chase down the ball-carrier and push him back in video #1240). Then, in video #1241 he takes on the double-team and makes the play with some assists from his teammates. After switching sides because of the end of 1st quarter, we continued to play hard-nosed football. Warner's one-handed solo was an incredible play (video #1242). Then senior, Jared Felix (DB) made a another solo by up-ending the ball carrier (video #1243). Brighton had to settle for a field goal making the score 10-3, Brighton with 8:58 left in the 2nd quarter.
After the Brighton kick-off, Hartland's offense put together an 88-yard drive with just about every offensive specialist touching the ball. Runs by Cagle, Kyle Summerfield, and Max Nystrand — receptions by Poches, Carson Pippin and Jones. Of course, you can't put great drives together without great blocking. Check out video #1244 of Warner leveling a defensive back. Jones breaks one for a 1st down a few plays later (video #1245). Pippin added a 1st down of his own (video #1246) as well as Poches (Video #1247). Poches got us down to the 4-yard line and on the next play Summerfield scored easily off-tackle right thanks to huge blocks by Josh Theis caving-in the right side of the Brighton line and Stevens serving-up his version of the pancake block (video #1248). Minor's extra point kick was good and the score was tied at 10 with 4:03 left in 2nd quarter.
Brighton's next drive didn't produce anything but an angry Ryan Simancek. On a 3rd and 10 situation, Simancek chased down the Brighton QB and made a solo, shoe-string tackle forcing Brighton into a 4th and very long situation (video #1249). It looked like Ryan was kicked in the face by the cleat of the QB — and an injury time-out was called. Ryan jogged off a couple minutes later with a look of pending revenge. (Psst...he'll get it later.) Brighton let the clock run out on 4th and 10 and at the half it was tied, 10-10.
It was Hartland's ball to start the second half, and Jones' kick return set the tone when he ran it down inside Brighton's 20-yard line (video #1250). Momentum from the 2nd quarter clearly carried over into the 3rd. A fews plays later, Cagle scored on his classic cut-back style when he started his run right, saw an opening, and darted back against the grain. The confused and over-pursuing defensemen looked...well, defenseless as he scored (video #1251). Minor's extra-point kick was good and at 8:59 of the 3rd, Hartland took the lead, 17-10.
After the kick-off, Hartland's defense continued its very solid play. Senior, Nick Schlagheck played tough against the run (video #1252). And when that wasn't working for Brighton, they tried to air it out. But Hartland's secondary stepped up with big plays from Felix (video #1253) and Pippin. Pippin intercepted Brighton's QB with a tremendous diving catch in front of the receiver (video #1254). Great play, Carson!
That put the ball back in the hands of our very capable, dangerous, and multi-threat offense. Cagle was flying high and orchestrated another impressive drive that resulted in another Hartland score. Utilizing his receivers, Poches (video #1255), Lashbrook (video #1256) and Pippin (video #1257), he picked apart the Brighton secondary while utilizing our ground game intermittently (see James Burroughs' pancake block in #1258). Then, once we got down to Brighton's 27, it was Cagle again on a keeper off-tackle right — through a gaping hole for the score (video #1259). With Minor's good extra-point, Hartland was rolling. There was 3:20 left in the 3rd and Hartland led 24-10.
Brighton's next offensive drive included one long run that put them in scoring range. Although they eventually scored, Jon Stevens continued to play like there was no tomorrow. Watch him completely and single-handedly destroy the Brighton running back in video #1260. (For extra fun, watch Jake Warner on the same play. My guess is #24 wanted no piece of Warner or Stevens after that.) Hartland still led 24-17 with 1:34 left in the 3rd.
Ok. Hang in there. We need to talk about about TWO more Hartland scores. This is so fun!
Hartland's offense again took the field after the Brighton kick-off and like their last few possessions they felt and looked confident — ready to score each time they touch the ball. And the result this time was no different. Cagle again led his offense down the field in preparation for another score. At one point Cagle attempted to setup a sprint-right pass, but the Brighton defenders were in pursuit and he changed direction and took off down the left hash marks. What happen next will be talked about for decades to come. Jon Stevens almost decapitates a Brighton player on a block that allowed Cagle to reach the 1st down marker and keep the drive alive (video #1261). Mind you, no one was hurt on this play, so I don't feel bad asking you to watch it like... a hundred times! In fact, at the end of the video I added a slow motion clip of just the hit. And yes, the chin strap was separated from the helmet, which was separated from his head, on impact. Enjoy.
Anyway, later that drive (after we switched sides to start the 4th quarter) Cagle connected with Poches on a hitch route (video #1262) and then went up top to Stevens for a touchdown pass down the right side line in the end zone (video #1263). Minor's extra point try was good and Hartland increased their lead, 31-17 with 9:54 left in the game.
Brighton's next offensive possession allowed Simancek to seek his revenge in the backfield. He blitzed the "A" gap untouched and drilled the jet back for a loss (video #1264). A couple plays later, Hartland's Mike Carney applies pressure to Brighton's QB to force the hurry-pass which fell incomplete (video #1265). A few plays later Brighton was facing 4th and 7 and they could not convert and turned the ball over on downs.
Hartland put the final dagger into Brighton when just a couple plays into our next possession we ran our "superman" play — a pitch right to former QB Summerfield who fakes a reverse to Jones, then pulls-up and throws a 39-yard strike to a wide-open Poches for the easy score (video #1266). You just gotta love playground football! (Kudos to the coaching staff for utilizing the talent effectively and calling that play at the most opportune time — when Brighton least expected it.) Hartland led 38-17 after Minor's extra point with 7:04 left in the 4th.
Brighton's next drive was cut short when a very excited Jake Warner recovered a QB fumble (video #1267).
Our next possession included some great runs by Matt Kenwell (videos #1268 and #1269). Again, great job linemen for the amazing blocking — check-out Theis on video #1269 just man-handling the defensive tackle! Kenwell had another long run a play later, but the officials ruled the ball came out before his knee hit the ground and awarded Brighton the turn-over on their own 22-yard line with 2:51 left.
The last possession for Brighton wasn't without more great plays by our defense. Stevens played relentless football at break-neck speed until the clock read :00. Watch him in videos #1271 and #1272. This series also displayed the textbook swim technique from senior, Charles Putz which resulted in a solo tackle (video #1273). The clock ran out on Brighton, game over. Hartland moved to 4-0 on the season while Brighton dropped to 1-3.
Next week Hartland (4-0) hosts Milford (3-1) for Homecoming. Go Eagles!