(24) Andy Wall gets positive instruction from Coach Dobbins
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

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Middle School Football Bobcats Show Grit in Inaugural Game

Millington prevails 12-10 in hard-fought defensive struggle against John Gl

September 28, 2008
By: John Keuvelaar

Hundreds of family members, friends and faculty came out in support of the Bobcat's first game of the season Tuesday evening!
(MyBayCity Photo)

The sound of cheers and cracking pads arose from John Glenn field this past Tuesday announcing the introduction of middle school football. Just like fans of John Glenn varsity football are used to, these 7th and 8th graders put forth every bit of entertaining hard-fought effort on the field.

The Bangor Bobcats head to the field of battle.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

21 Antony Merchant kicks off the inaugural season.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Crowds of supporters cheered on the team as Antony Merchant kicks off!
(MyBayCity Photo)

The Bobcat's also have over twenty cheerleaders who are out there "showing their stuff" and rooting on the team!
(MyBayCity Photo)

In the end, both teams showed a promising future to their programs as they executed well-designed running plays, displayed a real attack and a never say die attitude that will serve them all well in future games and endeavors.

The Bangor Bobcats started on defense by kicking off to Millington. The Cardinals returned the ball to their own 42 and the season was underway.

Millington moved the ball to the Bobcat 44 before an incomplete pass turned the ball over to Bangor.

Just like the varsity, the Bobcats took over on offense and used a solid running attack to move the ball down to the Millington 39 as the first quarter came to an end.

At this point, fans realized middle school football has 8 minute quarters rather than the high school 12 minutes.

The Bobcat drive continued as 22 Alex Delgado broke loose on a fourth and long for a first down. But the drive finally stalled on the Millington 26 when on fourth down, a Bobcat fumble at the 26 yard line gave the ball back to the visiting Cardinals.

Millington's QB ran 9 yards to start their second possession of the game. From there, Millington's #24 ran through a big hole and moved the ball from the Millington 38 to John Glenn's 24 yard line. The Bobcats quickly regrouped to slow the Millington drive.

After moving to the Glenn 10-yard line, Millington's #24 faked outside and then cut back inside for the touchdown, with only 22 seconds left on the clock.

Bangor stopped the two point effort and Millington went into the locker room leading 6 - 0.

Scrambling for the loose ball
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Cardinals 24 showed some nifty running through the Bobcat defense.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

23 Ryan Leitermann puts the "hat" on a Cardinal runner.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

7 Derek Clyde spots an open receiver.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

The Cardinals kept the momentum going into the second half. They kicked off and Bangor's #35 Conner VanDenBosch received the ball, zigzagging up to the Bobcat 29. There, Millington stopped Bangor on four downs and took possession on Bangor's 35. The Cardinals wasted no time as Millington's QB #25 ran the ball around left end to the 13 yard line. Millington #30 scored from there as he ran up the middle breaking tackles for the touchdown -- giving Millington a 12-0. The extra point was no good.

Just like their bigger brothers, these young Bobcats weren't done yet. After returning the kickoff to their 33, the Glenn middle-schoolers began a drive of their own. The Bobcats moved the ball down the field on strong running to the Millington 38 yard line. There, QB (7) Derek Clyde passed to (22) Alex Delgado who ran it to Millington's 22 yard line as the 3rd quarter ended.

Staying with the pass on 3rd down, Clyde was sacked at the Millington 25. Then on 4th down, Clyde's pass is incomplete, stalling the drive and giving Millington the ball on their 20.

But the John Glenn defense stepped up BIG TIME, held the Cardinals to only 6 yards and forced a three-and-out punt from the Cardinal 26.

Glenn started their drive at their own 45 yard line. Clyde tossed a perfect strike to (57) Matt Neilson who took the ball to the Millington 21 yard line for a 34 yard gain. (21) Anthony Merchant took a hand-off and ran around left end to the Millington 6 yard line for a 16 yard run.

From there, Clyde rolled out right and hits (12 Gatlin Hoffman in the end zone for the Bobcats first touchdown. Clyde then added the two-point conversion with a pass to Matt Neilson in the left corner bringing Bangor within 4 points. Cardinals 12 -- John Glenn Bobcats 8.

Millington anticipated an onside kick but Bangor kicked it away and by the time the Cardinals could corral the ball, they were tackled on their own 18. The Bobcats' defense stoned the Cardinals first two run attempts. Millington tried a halfback pass on third down but Glenn defenders (55) Noah Peterson and Ryan Leitermann were not fooled and sacked the passer on the 6 to force a fourth down situation.

Rather than punt from their end zone, Millington decided to take a safety which then allowed the Cardinals to take a "fee kick" from their own 20 yard line. Millington 12 -- John Glenn 10. The Millington coaching strategy paid off as the booming kick sailed over everyone's head -- pushing Bangor all the way back to their own 25 yard line with little time left. Back to back sacks and an inspired Cardinal defense ended the game at Millington 12 - Bangor 10.

After the game, Coach Dobbins had this to say about the comeback. "We expected our boys to come back. They're great kids. We worked in the 4th quarter. We showed some life. We didn't hang our heads when we could have," Dobbins continued. "I'm proud of this team."

When asked about the team's passing, Coach Dobbins said, "Clyde, our Quarterback, we work hard with him. He's a young quarterback and a 7th grader. I am not surprised at all how well we moved the ball through the air," Dobbins said. Hoffman is a good receiver. I expected it out of those guys. We worked hard on that. If we were able to give our quarterback more time we would have had a few more yards passing."

Bangor is again at home next Tuesday against Bridgeport at 5 pm. Come and cheer on the Bobcat future.

Strong determination and action was shown by all players.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

21 Anthony Merchant breaks free from this tackle.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Two Bobcats make this runner a Cardinal Sandwich.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

57 Matt Neilson hauls in this two point conversion.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Coaches & players review the game
(MyBayCity Photo)

MyBayCity.com And The Coaching Staff Would Like To Thank Harvey's Grill For Their Support As The Corporate Sponsor For Coverage of The John Glenn Bobcat's.

Be Sure To Show Your Support To Harvey's And Don't Forget To Mention You Saw Them On MyBayCity.com!