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www.mybaycity.com September 13, 2008
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John Glenn 2 Matthew Balen cuts back on his 85 yard run for a touch down.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Bobcats' Second Half Explosion Overpowers Muskegon Heights

34-Point Second Half Leads to 40-30 Victory

September 13, 2008       1 Comments
By: John Keuvelaar

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John Glenn has a long tradition of hard hitting, tough running, never give up football. Friday night served as a reminder that this tradition is alive and well.

The Bobcats finding themselves outplayed 24-6 at half time, responded by totally dominating the second half and winning 40-30.

"They (coaches) made some front adjustments. We just played better. We had made some errors, errors we had not made before. We made some technical adjustments and our kids just played better in the second half", noted a proud Coach Miller.

And proud of his teams second half performance he should be. After a good opening kickoff return, Glenn drove the ball down to the Tigers' 32 when the first big mistake of the game occurred. Muskegon Heights Keith Taylor scooped up a fumble and returned it 66 yards for the games first score. The two point conversion attempt failed. Later that quarter, Heights got their Veer Option offense going with #5 Dwight Carter taking a pitch around left end for a 29 yard gain. Glenn didn't give in as they held back the touchdown until QB #3 Van Parker put the Tigers up 12-0.

After a Glenn 33 yard drive stalled, the Heights got the ball back on their own 25 and immediately went to their speed as they mixed end runs and pass to move the ball down field. #20 Sidney Scott capped off a 75 yard drive with a score putting the Tigers up 18-0 before a stunned Bobcat crowd.

Then came John Glenn's first break. After a muffed kickoff and an offside penalty put the ball on Glenn's 15, Senior tailback #2 Matt Balen went off left tackle and made a nifty cut back move to go 85 yards and giving the Bobcats some life. This was short lived as Muskegon Heights quickly moved the ball down field highlighted by a 35 yard pass play from Van Parker to #8 Terrance Logan putting the Tigers up 24-6 at the half.

With Glenn kicking off for the second half, they were able to use what Coach Miller calls a "real weapon" in senior all state kicker Ty Richards. His high deep kickoff to the goal line allowed the Bobcats to cover the kick and prevent the Tigers from getting good field position. The Bobcat defense soon forced a punt which resulted in Glenn's first big break.

A high snap over the Heights 6'3" punter gave Glenn the ball on the Heights 21. Senior Tyler Clemons broke through for a 13 yard touchdown and Glenn was on their way. Following a three and out Heights possession, Glenn got the ball back. Lightning struck again as fullback Clemons broke off tackle and cut back catching the Tiger safeties over pursuing and rambled 60 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was good making it 24-19 with still 4:42 left in the third quarter.

Richards then kicked off to the Heights 3 and good coverage pinned the Tigers at their own 18. Looking to shake things up, Muskegon went to the air looking for a quick strike. Instead Matt Balen went high in front of the Heights receiver for an interception and Glenn was back in business at midfield.

It didn't take them long as Clemons, seemingly stopped at the line of scrimmage cut back and scampered 43 yards to put Glenn on top 25-24. With the crowd going crazy and momentum clearly on his side, Coach Miller went to his "weapon" one more time by calling what he calls a "pinball" play.

Richards kicked the ball right at a front player and the ball pin-balled off him back to the hard charging kickoff team and Glenn recovered it on their 48. But this time, the errors Coach Miller later talked about could have spelled disaster. A holding penalty forced Glenn to punt from their own 38.

Then Heights' 265 pound Derrick Horn broke through the line, blocking the punt. A scramble to pick it up and run with it ensued with Horn ultimately grabbing it and rumbling into the end zone. But for the fifth straight time, the Heights were not able to convert on the extra point putting them on top 30-25.

Up stepped Matt Balen. Following the tradition of never quit, he took the kickoff and through sure determination broke several tackles bring the ball out to the Glenn 45. Soon thereafter, he took the ball off tackle, cut back and sprinted 42 yards for the go ahead touchdown. The two point attempt failed and Glenn was now up 31-30. While both teams exchanged punts, it was Glenn's punt that helped bury the Tigers. Richards took the snap, side stepped the rush and punted it down to the 2 yard line.

From there, the Bobcats attacked finally catching Van Parker for a safety making it 33-30. Glenn then took the free kick and looked to seal the win. After Balen had another determined return, the Bobcats turned to him and road is running to move the ball to the 10. Clemons carried the ball the rest of the way into the end zone and the Bobcats were 40-30 winners.

For the game, Matt Balen lead all rushers with 15 carries for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Teammate Tyler Clemons had 13 carries for 141 yards and 4 touchdowns.Muskegon Heights was lead by Bobby While with 15 carries for 48 yards and Dwight Carter had 3 carries for 55 yards.

Seniors #2 Matthew Balen and #27 Andrew Martin lead the Bobcats through the tunnel.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

49 Tyler Clemons nails Muskegon Heights quarterback #3 Van Parker causing the pass to fall short.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

5 Jordan Schumann tries to dodge Tigers Terrance Logan on this kickoff return and move the ball up field.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Muskegon Heights #20 Sidney Scott is swarmed by a tough Bobcat defense.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Tiger QB Van Parker gains tough yards.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Tigers' Dwight Carter gets slammed by John Glenn 7 Richard Watson to start the second half.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Tyler Clemons breaks through the tackle on his way to a 13 yard touchdown.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

#2 Matthew Balen intercepts the pass from Tigers #23 Keith Taylor.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

John Glenn #2 Matthew Balen and #27 Andrew Martin sandwich Tigers #3 Van Parker.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

#9 Ty Richards kicks helped bring down the Tigers.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

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"The BUZZ" - Read Feedback From Readers!

ourhighfive Says:       On September 15, 2008 at 06:22 PM
John,
Thanks for posting the fine article on the Muskegon vs. JGHS football game. That game was one of the most exciting I've ever seen. Great photography as well.

Regards,

Mike Schweinsberg
(also a former JGHS PAT/Kick-off kicker)
Agree? or Disagree?


John Keuvelaar

John Keuvelaar is a college student at Midwest Photography Workshops and Delta College.

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