Bangor Junior Bobcats Fall to Frankenmuth 30-8; End Season With 4-2 Record
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It was a cold, windy evening as Frankenmuth and Bangor squared off for their final football game of the 2008 season. Both teams had 4-1 records. Both teams lost their opening game then came on strong to become a dominant force. The smell of snow filled the air and I swear, tiny snowballs fell instead of hail. This was football weather.
Frankenmuth started possession on their 31 and immediately started attacking the outside. Jotham Micho, a Jerome Bettis style running back, took an end sweep 19 yards to the Bobcat 45. After moving it down to the 25, Hunter Gatza broke it around right end for a 25 yard touchdown scamper. Mitchell Leach then threw to Dalton Tate for two points and an 8=0 lead.
Bangor responded with their power running, alternating between their three backs, Tony Merchant, Quentin Thomas and Alex Delgado. The Bobcats marched the ball to the Eagles 32 before disaster struck. On fourth and five, a penalty forced them to punt. Then the snap went over the punters head and Frankenmuth recovered on the Bobcat 44.
The Eagles went right back to attacking the outside of the Bobcat defense. Moving the ball to the 30, Mitchell Leach hit Jordan Stanforth down the middle for another touchdown. Then Jotham Micho took it in for the two point conversion and Frankenmuth was up 16-0.
Frankenmuth then forced a three and out for Bangor and after a punt, took possession on the Eagles' 49. When Jotham Micho swept 13 yards around end, things looked bleak for the Bobcats. Then Mike Ernst jumped on a fumble stopping the Eagle drive and pumping life back into the Bobcats.
Derek Clyde connected with Alex Delgado for 14 yards putting Bangor at midfield with less than two minutes to go in the half. But a fumble on the snap was recovered by Frankenmuth at the Bobcat 46. With only 1:40 left in the half, Frankenmuth reached in their bag of tricks. A pitch to Jotham Micho had all the earmarks of another end run. Then he pulled up to pass and hit Adam Bookmeyer with a 26 yard pass putting the Eagles on Bobcat 20 yard line. Next, Hunter Gatza started toward right end then cut back, breaking tackles and racing into the end zone for a Eagle touchdown and a 22-0 half time lead.
The Bobcats were determined to get back into the game for the 2nd half. Following a return to the 35, Bangor started mixing run and pass. Clyde hit Alex Delgado for a 14 yard pass play putting the Bobcats in Eagle territory at their 43. Then Clyde was hit while throwing sending a twirling ball that was caught by a diving Gatlin Hoffman. A facemask penalty moved the ball down to the 18. Then Clyde looked for a score but was intercepted by Logan Gatza at the one and returned to the 23.
Frankenmuth looked to put the game away. A long pass to Adam Bookmeyer put the ball on the Bangor 25. But a penetrating rush caused a fumble and Bangor stopped the Eagles again. As it was not the fourth quarter and needing to score quickly, Tony Merchant bounced an off tackle run outside and gained 15 yards. Going to the shotgun, the Bobcats spread the Eagle defense out. Then Clyde hit Quentin Thomas out of the backfield and with downfield blocking, he ran it 17 yards down to the Frankenmuth 28.
Following a quarterback sack, Clyde went back to the shotgun and Thomas to the right side for 11 yards to the Eagle 25. Clyde then hit Delgado on a a square out and the quick back took the ball to the 10. Then Clyde hit Merchant in the left flats and he took it in for the Bobcat score. Clyde then rolled right and hit Jared McCure for two points and the score was 22-8.
This score (like many during the season) was a typical Bobcat offense drive. Contributions came from everyone to help the team move the ball down field. While there was a lot of outstanding individual effort, everyone contributed and the offensive line provided the kind of protection that allowed the play to succeed.
While the outcome was all but determined, Bangor did a full team blitz on what was expected to be the last play. However, Jotham Micho took the pitch around left end, avoiding the blitz and ran it 48 yards for the final score of the night. With the two point conversion good, the final was 30-8.
"It's a good foundation, a good start for us," Coach Dobbins said after the game. "For our first year out here, I'm happy, I'm proud," Dobbins went on.
"If Coach Miller hadn't been behind us, none of this would have happened," Dobbins contined. "We already have over 40 kids signed up for next year so the 2009 season is starting to look bright already."
To gauge the success of a youth sports program, too often we look at trophies and records. While this Bobcat team certainly did themselves proud on the field, finishing with a 4-2 record, the success was clearly seen after the game. The kids ran off the field, new helmets held high, and as a group, were singing and chanting as the marched through the parking lot toward their bus. When the game is over, after all the hard work and sweat, this is the tale of a great season - smiles on faces.
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John Keuvelaar |
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