News and Announcements
Posted: 2008-10-31
2008 GAME SUMMARY: Varsity vs. Grand Blanc
Hartland Defeats Grand Blanc, 21-0 in First-Round Playoffs
What a great football night it was! It was Halloween night and the weather was awesome! This was Hartland's first playoff game in 10 years and the fans packed the stadium hoping to see a little piece of history in the making.
Hartland went on defense first and didn't waste any time flexing their muscle. Senior OT/DT, Charles Putz forced Grand Blanc (GB) to punt after tackling the GB running back for a loss (see video #1450).
Senior QB, Chris Cagle took to the field around our own 35. After a couple of 1st downs by sophomore WR phenom, Matt Poches (videos #1451 and 1452), Hartland was facing 4th and 8. We drew them off-sides, took the 5 yard penalty and brought our offense back on the field to go for it on 4th and 3 on GB's 31 yard line. A few plays later Cagle found Poches in the end-zone, but it was called back (video #1453). No worries though — Cagle went right back to him a few plays later on a 4th and 16 for the score (video #1454). Senior place-kicker, Zach Minor added the point after and Hartland led, 7-0 with 6:51 left in the 1st quarter.
Hartland senior DB, Jared Felix made a great play on the ensuing kick-off to zip through the GB blockers and make the solo tackle (video #1455).
The defense picked-up where they left off on the last series and with great plays from senior LB/RB, Kyle Summerfield and senior OT/DE, James Warner (video #1456) — GB was unable to attain a 1st down and had to punt again.
Hartland took over and put together a drive that lasting the rest of the quarter and into the second. Cagle found senior WR/DB, Vonn Jones (video #1457) for a nice gain. We utilized the talents of junior RB, Matt Kenwell who had a great night (video #1458). The drive stalled at the 6 yard line. Minor was called in to attempt a 34-yard field goal in which he just barely missed right. GB took over on the 20.
Our defense continued to make big plays. The secondary in particular played an outstanding game. Seniors Vonn Jones, Jared Felix, Carson Pippin, and junior Ed Livingston all played great football. Felix and Jones had a nice combo knock-down in this series(video #1459). The linemen also played relentless football. Check-out Jake Warner chase-down the GB RB from behind (video #1460) and Charles Putz get knocked down, get up, and run down the GB WR before drilling him (video #1461). That's great hustle, Putz! Hartland finished-off GB on that drive with Ed Livingston intercepting the GB QB in the end-zone. Sorry, Ed... the video was a bit out of focus, but here ya go (video #1462).
Hartland took over at their own 20 and Cagle went back to work. He used Summerfield and Kenwell on the ground (video #1464) and Jones and senior, WR Thomas Lashbrook in the air (videos #1463 and #1465). Cagle had a nice run himself before getting the ball knocked out from behind and recovered by a GB player on their own 17.
GB continued to struggle against the Hartland defense — especially with big plays like this one led by Putz (video #1466) on 3rd down. GB had to punt again giving Hartland another shot at scoring before the half.
We were able to move the ball — especially with blocking as seen in this clip from Josh Theis, Putz and Warner (video #1467). But, time was running out and we threw a Hail Mary pass just seconds before the half that was almost caught by Poches. Hartland led 7-0 at the half.
Poches ran the 2nd half kick-off out to the 33 yard line (video #1468). Kenwell continued his stellar night with the help of lead blocks like this one from Jake Warner (video #1469). Cagle went back to the air with passes to Jones and Poches (videos #1470 and #1471). Later that drive Poches scored again — but it was AGAIN called back on a Hartland penalty (video #1472). We couldn't finish the drive and on 4th and 19 we punted. Poches' punt buried GB down inside their own 5.
Two plays later, GB ran a left-side WR screen and Hartland's Carson Pippin read it beautifully, and stepped in front of the GB player for the interception at the 2-yard line (video #1473). Three plays later, Cagle kept it over the left tackle for the the score (video #1474). Minor's extra point was good and Hartland went up 14-0 with 6:28 left in the 3rd.
On GB's next possession, they attempted a double-reverse, but Jake Warner was not fooled and sacked the WR for a big loss (video #1475). That forced a 3rd and 22 situation when senior WR/DE Jon Stevens sacked the QB for an even bigger loss (video #1476). GB's punt didn't cross mid-field — putting Hartland in great field position.
Hartland's next offensive series started great with a big run by Kenwell (and an even bigger block by Stevens) on this play (video #1477). However, the drive didn't last long after Poches pass reception was stripped by a GB player.
GB then put together a decent drive that lasted from the end of the the 3rd quarter and into the 4th. The drive wasn't without some great defensive plays. Pippin broke-up a would-be score (video #1478); Livingston's solo was flat-out crazy (video #1479); Theis and Carney each had great plays at the line (videos 1480 and #1481); Felix with a pass break-up on 3rd down (video #1482); and Jones with a touchdown-reception-break-up (video #1483) on 4th down to help preserve the shut-out. Great defense, fellas!
Hartland took-over at the 13 yard line. The boys were jacked after the last defensive stand and wanted to score again to put the game away. Hartland wisely kept the ball on the ground with hard runs from Kenwell (videos #1485, #1486 and #1488) and Summerfield (video #1487). Of course, with great runs come great blocks...check-out Stevens in video #1487 block the same guy, twice! Then there's Warner's lead block in video #1488. Later that drive, Stevens was still blocking hard in play #1489. That play set-up the return of SUPERMAN! Cagle's pitch right to Summerfield who fakes a reverse to Jones, then pulls-up and throws a strike to a WIDE-OPEN Poches in the end-zone (video #1490). Niiiiiice. The extra point kick by Minor was good and with 6:22 left in the game, Hartland led 21-0.
GB tried valiantly on their next possession to get on the scoreboard, but Hartland's Eagles were flying too high. They wanted a shut-out and continued to the very end playing like the game was on the line. Watch Stevens on this play just dominate his man and the QB (video #1491). Then there was the great QB sack by another senior, Ryan Simancek (video #1492). One of the the only plays that was successful for GB was their middle screen, and senior DT, Mike Carney made a great play to break that up (video #1493). On a 4th and 10 situation, GB went to the air again, but Vonn Jones made an incredible, one-handed interception to end the GB drive. In the video #1494, watch Jones at the top of the screen go up for the ball, then snag it with one hand like a basketball rebound. He should try-out for Hartland's basketball team. ;-)
Hartland took over at their own 5 yard line. Summerfield's run (video #1495) helped burn-up the clock. Then Cagle ordered his team to line-up in the always enjoyable "victory formation" so he could take a couple of knees until the clock read 0:00.