Western Dominates Traverse City Central 26-13
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Playoffs! It's a great time to watch high school football. Over the regular season, the volume it turned up. It's like seeing a concert live over listening on disc. The teams play better, the fans cheer louder, the student section is more animated, even the bands sound better. Add to all this a very comfortable 60 degrees, it had the making of a great night.
Traverse City arrived full of hope and promise. While being the underdogs, they had the confidence that they had beaten the Warriors earlier in the season and were poised to do it again. They brought their whole band, not to perform at half time but it created a battle of the bands atmosphere. Once Western finished their opening game music, TC Central filled in the void before the game. Ending with their own fight sound seemed to pump up their players. At times, you could hear Western play a song and they responded. The student sections of both teams were equally animated. Dressed in Halloween garb, both sides did their little rituals that make the evening fun. It was truly a spirited night.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
While the Trojans arrived full of hope and promise, the Warriors were full of confidence and determination. Already a special season with an undefeated conference championship, they know there is much more to accomplish. Although the stands displayed chants of "revenge" for the only loss of the season, Coach Eurick and his players had other things on their mind: "We talked to the players on Monday and revenge was never a concern. We looked at the films, knew we didn't play well and focused on what we had to do. We had to get better offensively, especially our line and blocking."
That strategy was soon put to the test as Western received on the opening kickoff. Sparks immediately flew as Corey Arnold took the ball on the 10, cut left and ran down the sidelines to the Western 47. From there, Scott Osentoski executed the spread offense to perfection. The first play saw Justin Gwizdala burst up the middle for a first down. Then Osentoski optioned to Gwizdala again for another first down. Osentoski then hit Justin Witzgall for a 13 yard pass and a first down on the 11 yard line. Two no gainer runs later and Osentoski's deflected pass was caught by Witzgall at the one and another first down. With everyone expecting the ball to go to Gwizdala, Osentoski pulled it back and jogged in untouched to put the Warriors on the board 4 minutes into the game. A wide kick made it 6-0.
Now it was the Trojan's turn to respond. After an out-of-bounds kick put the ball on the Trojan 35, TC went to work. Running a traditional split backfield power football attack, they methodically moved the ball down field. The Trojan attack featuring the quick running of Mike Helm and the power running of Alex Fancy, powered their way down to the Warrior 33. Then a fourth and 4 saw a quick out route to Kurt Brown, catching the ball just over the 23 yard line before being driven back giving the Trojans a first down. Soon it was fourth and 2 on the 14 and Fancy took it around end for another first down and an end to the quarter. The second quarter saw the Trojans finish the drive off. After getting to the one, Fancy barrel rolled over the pile capping a drive that took over 9 minutes and with the extra point kick, put TC on top 7-6.
Now it was Western's turn to respond. Sitting on the sidelines that long can take a team out of their rhythm. But not this Warrior team. Trying to keep the ball out of Corey Arnold's hands, TC kicked the ball down the sidelines and it went out of bounds. Instead of taking the ball on the 35, Western elected to penalize the Trojans moving the kick back 5 yards. Another out of bounds kick put the kickoff back on the 30. A line drive kick to Arnold saw him almost return it to the end zone as he was tripped up on the Trojan 44. Gwizdala immediately burst up the middle for 13 yards taking the ball to the 31. A holding penalty erased a nice Osentoski run and moving the Warriors back. While a swing pass to Corey got much of the penalty back, they soon found themselves facing fourth and 11. Osentoski then tried to hit Dan Alba in the left end zone but Zack Zoelinger made a nice leaping interception going over and in front of the receiver and the Trojans had turned away the Warriors.
The Warrior defense made their presence felt forcing a quick three and out and soon, Western was back on the TC 45. Facing a third and inches on the 36, Gwizdala took a quick hitter up the middle taking the ball to the 3. Then Osentoski optioned again taking the ball to the left tackle and into the end zone. An out pass to Corey Arnold made it 14-7.
The first big break came on the kickoff. A short kick was fumbled by an up man and recovered by the Warriors on the TC 41. Gwizdala opened this drive with another big gain, this time of 14 yards down to the 27. Moments later, a 13 yard QB draw had the Warriors poised on the 9. Then Gwizdala took the ball to the one and the next play finished the drive off with a touchdown making it 20-7 at the half.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Following half time adjustments, each team always looks to make a statement. With Traverse City Central receiving the ball, naturally it was to get back into the game on the scoreboard. Starting from their 31, QB Mack Sovereign made a pump fake, ducked a rusher and looked deep. But you don't give Lucas Kozuch that much time to rush the quarterback as he nailed Sovereign with a statement hit knocking the Trojans back to their 23. This resulted in a three and out and Western had it's turn to make an offensive statement.
Starting from their 41, Gwizdala went, where else, up the middle for 11 yards to the Trojan 48. A flanker screen to Corey Arnold moved the ball to the 39. On fourth and one, Osentoski faked the hand off and hit well covered Justyn Witzgall down the middle with a nice touch pass to the 5. Osentoski made a very athletic play when he took it up the middle and stopped short of the goal line was able to break the goal line plane with the ball and another Warrior touchdown making it 26-7 with 7:11 left in the third quarter.
Traverse City then went to some trickery as they attempted a half back pass. But Sam Penkala would have nothing of this as he blew through blockers sacking the would be passer for a 10 yard loss. Having been forced out of their ball control offense, the Trojans were forced to pass. Knowing this, the Warrior defensive line took over and put heavy pressure on the QB all night. They forced another three and out.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Following the punt, Western took Justin Gwizdala out of the game. "Gwizdala is still hurting so we held him out in the second half. He could have gone back in if we needed him and this allowed others to get some work in," noted Coach Eurick. The Trojans didn't mind as Gwizdala had already gained 112 yards. But Mr. Osentoski was still there. He hit Kevin McCann with a nice strike to the 39. The Trojans defense stiffened and Western turn it over on downs at the TC 32.
Knowing Traverse City had to pass, the Western line took over. Hard rushes forced quick passes and another three and out. On the punt, a bad snap was fumbled and Western had the ball on the 15. On the very next play, Western gave the ball back on a fumble and a game ending disaster was avoided.
The Trojans adjusted to the rush by going to roll out passes but it was too little too late as the Western defense bent but didn't break. Traverse City marched the ball to the 4 but a fourth down shuffle pass was fumbled and a score was stopped.
TC soon got the ball back and marched back down. A middle screen to Mike Helm good for 26 yards put the ball on the 14. A seven yard slant pass to Zack Zoelinger put it on the 7 where Alex Fancy finished things off fighting his way into the end zone from the 2. A failed two point conversion left the final score at 26-13.
Traverse City mustered one more rally when a snap sailed over Osentoski's head and was recovered by TC at the Western 35. A Dan Alba interception in the end zone ended that threat and the game.
Scott Osentoski finished the night throwing for 103 yards on 8 for 9 passing including a two point conversion. Evan more impressive, for the second straight week filling in for the injured Matt Grew he directed the Warrior attack with extreme precision. "He's been the backup (quarterback) for the last two years. He knew his role and has really stepped in here. He is a two way player. He's played defense for us. He's done an outstanding job," beamed a happy Coach Eurick.
Western now plays a familiar foe in Midland High at Western next week for the District crown. Time of that game to be announced.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
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John Keuvelaar |
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