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Posted: 2008-10-10
2008 GAME SUMMARY: Varsity vs. Pinckney
Hartland moves to 5-2 with victory over Pinckney
The varsity team is one game closer to making the playoffs after defeating Pinckney Friday night, 31-6.
Hartland's Jake Warner, Thomas Lashbrook and Ryan Tackas set the tone on the opening kick-off — letting Pinckney know that this was going to be a physical game (see video #1332).
Offensively, Hartland started the game a little slow — then turned things up on their 2nd possession. Carson Pippin (WR/DB) put Hartland on the board first with a great individual effort stretching-out for the end-zone marker after receiving a pass from Chris Cagle (QB). See video #1337. Zach Minor's extra point was good and Hartland led 7-0 at 5:35 in the 1st quarter.
After taking turns with possessions, Hartland scored again with 8:00 minutes left in the 2nd quarter. Junior RB, Matt Kenwell took the hand-off to the right side, then bounced it left — rambling 57 yards for the touchdown (video #1339). Minor's extra point kick was good and Hartland increased their lead to 14.
Hartland's defense really came alive after our second score. Everyone played fast, aggressive, and very physical football. Senior strong safety, Ryan Tackas put on an AMAZING display of back-to-back-to-back defensive plays on Pinckney's 2nd, 3rd and 4th down plays. Take a look at videos #1341, 1342 and 1343. Wow!
That turnover on downs led to an immediate Hartland score when a Kenwell to Vonn Jones reverse was called. Cagle alertly made a key block that ensured Jones would go the distance (video #1344). Minor's extra point was good and Hartland led 21-0 with 3:27 left in the half.
Pinckney was able to mount a late 2nd quarter drive, but the Hartland defense continued to hammer the Pinckney QB. Warner had an impressive game overall, but he really stood out on this last Pinckney series (see videos #1345, #1346, #1347 and #1348) rendering them scoreless going into the half. Warner's off-the-snap speed, aggressive play, and field awareness make him an exceptional talent on both sides of the ball.
The 3rd quarter started with Pinckney having first possession. They chewed-up almost 6 minutes of the 3rd quarter, but not without more punishing hits by Nick Schlegheck, Vonn Jones, Josh Theis, Kyle Summerfield, and of course Jake Warner (videos #1349, #1350, and #1351). Pinckney turned the ball over on downs.
Cagle took over on offense and proceeded to march his team down the field for another score. A combination of runs and passes (see video #1352) kept Pinckney guessing. Then at 3:48 left in the 3rd, the defense bit hard on a Kenwell dive — Cagle pulled it, then took it himself for the easy touchdown on the right side. Hartland led 28-0 after Minor's converted another extra point kick.
The next Hartland defensive series had more great hitting by Theis, Jared Felix, Summerfield. Watch Theis blow-up the pulling guard — knocking him into the path of the RB on video #1354. Charles Putz was also in the action — watch him get blocked then run through the ball carrier in video #1355. The Pinckney drive continued into the 4th quarter, and they later scored on a miscommunication in the Hartland secondary. Their extra point kick was blocked and Hartland still led 28-6 with 10:53 left in the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, Pinckney attempted on onside kick that didn't reach the required 10-yard distance — giving Hartland great field position. Watch a Pinckney player try to pick-off Tackas on the onside play — then watch him go down in defeat (video #1356). Um yeah, he picked the wrong guy to mess with.
We started the next drive with a Cagle keeper (video #1357) and later a Cagle-to-Pippin pass reception (video #1358) to setup a 32-yard Zach Minor field goal. With 6:19 left in the game, Hartland led 31-6.
Pinckney's next possession was cut short by some great play by defensive back, #26 (Sorry, I don't have your name. Say, why do we have different numbers for home and away games anyway?). He came up hard on the run (video #1359) and intercepted the Pinckney QB (video #1360). Then, after some yard-chewing (video #1361) and clock-chewing (video #1362) plays by Jones and Summerfield, Hartland was able to knee-out for the victory.
Click here to read more about the game in Sunday's Press & Argus.
Hartland will face Waterford Mott in this week's KLAA crossover game here in Hartland. Mott is 4-3 in the KLAA North Division. Go Eagles!