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Drew Janer runs through the tackle attempted by Wesley Towne.

All Saints Dominates Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 21-13, For Tourney Win

All Saints Travel To Deckerville Next Week For District Championship

October 31, 2010       Leave a Comment
By: John Keuvelaar

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They say you learn more from your mistakes than your successes. While it is hard to say that loosing in the last seconds of a game is much of a mistake, it clearly allowed All Saints to better prepare for the rematch of the previous weeks game. Riding an inspired defense that limited the Cardinals to 179 total yards coupled with a ball control offense with a little razzle dazzle sprinkled in, the Cougars defeated the Cardinals in an exciting and well played game.

The scene was as Americana as it gets. A football field nestled in the backyards of the neighborhood, with packed stands on both sides literally a couple yards from the playing field. The crowd noise was often deafening while only an arms length away our sons and classmates gave every bit of effort on the field. You couldn't help but get excited about the game as you felt you were actually in the contest yourself.

Both teams enjoyed midfield opening possessions but were unable to take advantage of it. After stopping All Saints on downs, the Seminary took over on their 45. From there, quarterback Joe Wall did a masterful job of running the option. On the first play, the senior signal caller placed the ball in his fullback's arms. The Cougar defense pounced all over the ball carrier as Wall cut up field and raced 21 yards for a first down. Wall then ran the play to the left for a 27 yard touchdown run and a 7-0 Cardinal lead.

The Cougars responded on their next possession. Mixing run and pass, the Cougar offense kept MLS off balance. The drive kept rolling thanks to a quarterback counter run for 9 yards, another big run around right end by quarterback Drew Janer and a competition down the right sidelines. As the drive continued into the second quarter, Janer rolled right on a fourth and four from the Seminary 10 and scampered 6 yards for a first down. Kevin Swiercz finished off the scoring drive blowing through a big hole at left tackle for the score. With the kick, the teams were tied at 7 apiece.

The fired up Saints defense forced a three and out and with a poor punt, the Cougars were back in business on their 46. Wasting no time, the Cougars went for some misdirection action. Janer ran left on what looked like an end run to the left. He then flipped the ball back to Garrett Bowker on a reverse. The senior receiver then threw to Aaron Villano who was racing down the far sidelines for a big gain. After Devin Swiercz bounced out left to carry the ball to the 5 yard line, Tyler Zwingman finished off the drive on a 5 yard run over left guard to put the Cougars up 14-7.

All Saints had a chance to go into the half time with a big lead when Zwingman recovered a Seminary fumble on the MLS 37. Janer then hit Villano on a crossing pattern for a first down at the 26. Moments later is was first and goal but the Cardinal defense refused to break stopping the Cougar power game on four strait runs between the tackles and the Seminary went into halftime down by only 7.

Drew Janer pulls away from Seminary's Joe Breidinger.

Joe Wall cuts up field on the option.

Drew Janer launches a pass under heavy pressure by Abe Van Sice and Joe Breidinger.

Garrett Bowker makes a great catch down the sidelines for a Cougar first down.

Kevin Swiercz powers up field.

Kevin Swiercz is stopped short of the goal line.

MLS's Joe Wall and Evan Lehr lift Kevin Swiercz off the ground to insure he can't score.

Tyler Zwingman helps blast a hole for Kevin Swiercz as he scored.


All Saints received the second half kickoff and went on the march. Mixing up the power game, the Cougars were clearly on the march when a fumble stopped the drive and gave the Cardinals the ball at midfield.

In the first half, the Cougar defense had made adjustments completely shutting down the Joe Wall run option. Additional adjustments were made as the Cougar defense especially the line stopped the Seminary rushing attack forcing another punt.

Another miscue stopped a Cougar drive. After digging out of a hole following a sack to give All Saints a first down, a holding penalty erased a third and fifteen pass that would have give the Saints a first down but instead made it third down and 30 yards to go. This ultimately forced a punt giving the Cardinals the ball back.

After the teams exchanged punts heading into the fourth quarter, MLS found a way to get their offense going. The big play came after the Cardinals got a first down after going on a fourth and one on their 29. Running back Abe Van Sice took a pitch left and cut back right to head down field only to be caught by Drew Janer at the Saints nine yard line. The play was big in two ways. The run was the first big play the Seminary had since the first quarter and the touchdown saving tackle proved why you never give up.

On first and goal from the Saints' nine, the snap went over Walls head which he recovered on the 25 yard line. But the Cardinals could not recover on this drive as a fourth down desperation pass into the end zone was intercepted by the Saints' William Daniels ending the drive.

The change of possession also turned the momentum back to All Saints. When Swiercz ran off tackle and cut outside, the moved the Saints to their 39 and started another scoring march. Then came The Block. Wing back Quincy Brissette went in motion from left to right to lead the Drew Janer sweep toward right end. As Janer approached the end, Brissette put a leveling block on his opponent that the sound seemed to cause the defense to pause. Janer cut inside that block then outside to race 56 yards for a huge touchdown that put All Saints on top 21-7 and sent the Cougar nation into a frenzy.

The Seminary was not done yet. Starting at their 40 with 2:05 remaining, they surprisingly started with two unsuccessful running plays. Then Wall hit Austin Head at the 26 for a first down. Then he hit Luke Morrell midway into the end zone for a touchdown with just under a minute to play. When the kick went wide left, the score was 21-13.

The Cardinals attempted an onside kick. Kevin Swiercz caught the high bounce kick and was immediately drilled. The senior tailback not only held onto the ball but also the All Saints victory.

With the win, not only had the avenged a loss from the week before, but more importantly had secured a district final appearance. The Saints will travel to Deckerville who were 46-6 winners over Sterling Heights Parkway Christian.

All Saints racked up 335 total yards in offense. Drew Janer led all rushers with 122 yards on 22 carries and was aided by teammate Kevin Swiercz who had 93 yards on 21 carries. Abe Van Sice rushed for 98 yards while Joe Wall added 26.

Quincy Brissette kicks off on an angle to insure he keeps the ball from the Cardinal returners.

Tyler Zwingman powers through for the second All Saints touchdown.

William Daniels is hit hard by the Cardinal defense.

Aaron Villano makes a valiant effort on this pass attempt.

Drew Janer drives through the hole for a first down.

Kevin Sweircz received plenty of attention as he rushed for 93 yards.

Stephen Dietrich feels the sting of a swarming Cougar defense.

The All Saints' student section was full and loud for their Cougars.

Aaron Villano catches the pass over the outstretched hand of Luke Morrell.

Kevin Swiercz pulls away from Wesley Towne.

Another Cougar in the making as he cheers on his heroes.

A mauling of Joe Wall.


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John Keuvelaar

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

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