Garber's Dominic Trogan makes a break for an opening. Late Stanton Montcalm Touchdown Ends Garber Season 24-22
November 1, 2009
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Gusty winds mixed with sheets of rain clearly had an impact on the game. But in the end, it was Stanton Central Montcalm's ball faking ability and tenacious rushing attack that spelled doom for the Garber season. Scoring with 1:09 left in the game, the Hornets pulled off a comeback win against Garber, 24-22.
Garber opened up the game in typical Duke Style. Starting on their own 29 yard line, the Dukes drove down the field on the Hornet defense. A key fourth down and three completion by Lee Madziar to Briar Keen was good for 15 yards putting Garber on the Hornet 8. Then Madziar hit Travis Britko just inside the goal line for a touchdown. After Jordan McCann's kick, the Dukes were up 7-0.
Central Montcalm opened their drive showing the old run and shoot offense. This offense featured wide offensive line splits and even wider receivers which spread the Garber defense out. The advantage of this offense seemed to be the ball faking and running ability of junior quarterback Leo Bellows and junior running back Ryan Emmons. The two gave Garber fits all night.
Starting deep in Garber territory, the Hornets offense fakes and ran the ball down field. But just when it looked like Garber was about to put a stop on the Montcalm drive, the Hornets got their first break. With the ball at the Duke 35, the Hornets passed over the middle with the ball sliding through the receiver's hands. As the Duke linebacker moved in for the big hit, the ball struck him in the helmet deflecting away from the Duke defenders and into the receiver's hands. He ran it down to the Garber four where a quarterback sneak put Montcalm in the end zone. But the extra point snap was high causing the kick to fail and Garber held a 7-6 lead.
On the following kickoff, Garber turned what looked to be a disaster into a great opportunity. Returner Travis Britko mishandled the bouncing kickoff at the 5 yard line. The determined senior side stepped the tacklers and took the ball up the sidelines before being caught on the Montcalm 44. The Hornets defense stiffened and seized some momentum forcing Garber the punt.
The Hornet offense then when back to their spread them out then run at them offense. Emmons quickly the Montcalm in Garber territory then finished the drive off by breaking free for a 38 yard touchdown run. Garber stopped the two point conversion attempt and kept within 5 points, 12-7 early in the second quarter.
After holding Garber to three and out, Montcalm looked to keep the momentum going. The Garber defense had other ideas. As they swarmed the ball carrier on third down, the Dukes stripped the ball and seemed to be heading toward the end zone. But Montcalm knocked the ball loose recovering the fumble and getting a first down out of the play while actually loosing yards. The Hornets drove the ball back to midfield before Chris Roshow made a key sack stopping the drive.
Looking to score before halftime, Madziar hit Britko for a twelve yard gain to their 35 yard line. Moments later as Madziar rolled out to pass, he was hit from behind and the ball was intercepted. Montcalm went for the bomb on the next play but Travis Britko cut in front of the receiver to intercept the ball and end the Hornet threat holding the score at 12-7 Montcalm 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)
Garber came out in the second half more focused and more determined. Pinning the Hornets deep in their territory on the opening kickoff, Garber defense stuffed the run forcing a punt. A host of Dukes swarmed the punter blocking it with Briar Keen recovering it on the Hornet 15. Moments later, Madziar hit senior receiver Todd Walraven on a 13 yard slant pass for a score. Trogan ran in the two point conversion and Garber was on top 15-12.
Stopping Montcalm again and forcing a short punt into the wind, Garber was back in business. Madziar hit Walraven on the home sidelines setting up an eight yard Dominic Trogan touchdown run and seemed back in control 22-12.
Riding the momentum and looking to strike again, Garber tried to catch Montcalm off guard with an onside kick. The plan backfired. Montcalm recovered on their 43 yard line giving them good field position. Then Emmons burst through the Garber line slitting the field for a 50 yard touchdown run that brought the Hornets within 4,
22-18. Montcalm then tried a short pooch kick of their own. The spinning ball bounced off the receiver spinning back up field into the Hornet arms. While enjoying excellent field position, the Duke defense rose to the occasion and forced a punt. The tide looked to turn again as the snap on the punt was high forcing the punter to attempt a pass which was blocked. This gave Garber the ball on their 48.
By now, the Hornet defense had completely shut down the Garber running game. Unable to get a first down, Mike Schroeder punted the ball out at the 3 pinning Montcalm near their end zone. This advantage was short lived. On the first play, Garber stacked up the running back at the goal line trying to push him back for a safety. But it was safety Lee Madziar who spotted quarterback Bellows at the twenty with the ball and ran him down for a touchdown saving tackle at the 36. While Montcalm was not able to sustain the drive, this play got them out of trouble and their punt went out at the 5 pinning Garber deep in their territory now heading into a 45 mph gusting winds to start the fourth quarter.
While the fourth quarter turned into a defensive battle, the wind kept Garber from effectively throwing the ball. The wind also helped produce good field position for Montcalm as Garber continued to punt into the wind.
With four minutes left in the game, Montcalm took possession on their 45. Turning to their powerful running back in Emmons, the Hornets pounded the ball down field. Then they moved three receivers to their left forcing Garber to shift their secondary over to cover them. Then Montcalm attacked the opposite side allowing Emmons to break off big chunks of yardage and eating up the clock. Finally it was Emmons blowing up the middle to score with 1:09 left to play putting Montcalm on top, 24-22.
Garber had one last possession to pull the game out. But the strong winds hindered this effort as Garber needed big pass plays to cover the field in such short time. These plays need time to set up and let the receivers get down field. Montcalm's senior defensive end used his 6'5" frame to quickly track Madziar down resulting in back to back sacks and a fourth and 25. But the never say die Dukes almost pulled it off. Using a trick play, Madziar hit Walraven on a short pass.
As the defenders converged on him, he pitched it back to Dominic Trogan who was racing by and headed down the sidelines. Just when it appeared that the miracle play was going for a touchdown, a Montcalm defender was able to get enough of a push on Trogan to cause him to step out of bounds two yards short of a first down. And just like that, the miracle play, the game and the season for Garber was over.
Central Montcalm was led by Ryan Emmons who rushed for 174 yards on 17 carries. For Garber, Dominic Trogan rushed for 80 yards on 21 carries while Lee Madziar threw for 84 yards on 6 for 14 passing.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
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