Austin Pichiotino fires down field while under pressure. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

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Mt. Pleasant Oilers Hold Off Western on Final Play, 52-49

It's A Battle for the Ages

October 9, 2011       Leave a Comment
By: John Keuvelaar

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It was the match-up that players, coaches and fans dream off. Two undefeated, top rated teams meeting in ideal playing conditions, it had all the earmarks and emotions for a great football contest. And when the final field goal attempt slipped under the crossbar, nobody left Western's stadium disappointed in the performance of either team except for the outcome.

The game started all Oilers as Mt. Pleasant struck early on a 46 yard touchdown pass from Ryan Elliott to Colton Odykirk making it 7-0. Mt. Pleasant struck again on their next possession when Michael Tweh ran 4 yards for a touchdown and a quick 14-0 lead only 3 minutes into the contest.

Western was not about to play dead. The Warriors struck back on their next possession. Quarterback Austin Pichiotino hooked up with Nick Vachon on a leaping 30 yard strike helping narrow the first quarter margin to 14-7. But the first quarter fireworks had just begun.

On the Oilers next possession, they quickly marched in for a score when Dustin Lee took it 16 yards to the house. A failed extra point made it 20-7, Oilers. Western didn't flinch as they struck right back a minute later when Pichiotino found Chris Baba for a 29 yard scoring pass making it 20-14.

Mt. Pleasant would finish off the wild first quarter with one final touchdown. With 9 seconds in the quarter, a Western fumble in their end zone was jumped on by the Oilers Mitchell Baxter and the 7 touchdown opening quarter shootout left the score at 27-14.

The second quarter slowed some in outright scoring but not in intensity. Mt. Pleasant found the end zone two more times before the half ended. On the Oilers first possession of the second quarter, Elliot did a repeat performance of the opening drive in the first quarter as he again hooked up with wideout Colton Odykirk. This time it was for a 43 yards scoring strike.

Mt. Pleasant also ended the quarter much like the first quarter with a score. This time it was Elliot finding Lee for a 7 yard touchdown pass. On both scores, Mt. Pleasant failed on their extra point attempt, 3 such failed attempts on the night. These three points came into play at the end of the game. Meanwhile, Western kept fighting back as they put up 7 points late in the second quarter on a 19 yard pass from Pichiotino to Vachon for their second hookup on the night. The teams headed into halftime with the Oilers clearly holding momentum and a 38-21 lead.

Momentum can easily be changed as the Western team and it's packed homecoming crowd was soon to demonstrate. Western scored on their opening possession of the second half. After driving down field, Tyler Kuch scored on an 8 yard Pichiotino pass and with Myers kick, he as a perfect 7 for 7 on the night, the score difference had been narrowed to ten, 38-28. Halftime defensive adjustments helped slow the rushing of Michael Tweh keeping the Oiler offense out of the end zone. This allowed the Warriors to pull within three by the end of the quarter as Pichiotino and Chris Baba scored on a 7 yard pass play making it 38-35.

If it wasn't an exciting game already, the game got even better in the final quarter. Mt. Pleasant got their offense moving by changing up with a few rushing touches to their other running backs. After relying heavily on workhorse Michael Tweh, 36 carries for 194 yards, the Oilers turned to Doug Cessena. He took advantage of his opportunity by breaking loose for a 37 yard touchdown run and expanding the lead to ten, 45-35.

Western was thoroughly locked on their air attack. Austin Pichiotino, 374 yards on 29 of 49 yards passing, hit Tyler Kuch for an 18 yard score, the pair's second score of the half, to come back to within 3 points, 45-42. Mt. Pleasant answered behind the rushing of Michael Tweh. The talented sophomore runner scored from 14 yards out putting Mt. Pleasant back up, 52-42 with three minutes to play. But a potent air attack can move the ball quickly.

With the game on the line, Pichiotino looked to Nick Vachon for another big play. The skilled senior receiver had a big night for Western catching 10 of Pichiotino's 29 completions for 191 yards and two touchdowns. None of his catches where any bigger than the catch he made at the Oiler 2 yard line. This play quickly put Western in striking distance. Pichiotino then hit Charles Proctor and with 1:27 left to play, Western was back to within 3 points, 52-49. Then came the onside kick.

To nobody's surprise, Western kicked the ball 10 yards and the free-for-all was on. In the student body scrum, Western's Ryan Glumm came up with the ball and hope strung eternal for the Warrior homecoming faithful. With the Oilers in an all out pass defense, Pichiotino and company moved the ball to the Mount Pleasant 29 yard line. With barely a breeze, Western turned to the strong leg of junior Mason Meyers with seven seconds on the clock. Fitting of a game like this, the outcome not only came down to the final play but the kick was on target for a tie and overtime. But as it reached the crossbar of the goal post, what looked like a possible good field goal fell just under the crossbar and with it the hopes of a full Western comeback.

The two teams combined for 864 yards, each of which was full of excitement. The Oilers racked up 451 yards with Michael Tweh accounting for 194 on the ground with Ryan Elliott adding 155 in the air on 6 completions.

Western had 413 yards most through the air as Pichiotino threw for 374 yards and ran for 74 yards on 19 carries. Mason Meyers added another 32 yards on the ground on 8 carries.

With both teams having qualified for the playoffs, it is easy to dream of a November rematch. Before Western can look to much at such possibilities, Midland High has plans on having something to say about that. The two teams hook up this weekend at Midland whose only loss was an opening game loss to Mt. Pleasant, 21-7.

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

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