 |
| The Blackhawks celebrate a big win by singing the school fight song |
It was Midway week for the Adrian Blackhawks. Nothing more needs to be said to express the magnitude of the game. The two biggest schools in the conference with the most post season history. The Midway Vikings have a staggering six state titles and Adrian one. No matter what the records whether one is undefeated while the other is searching for their first win of the season you can never predict with all certainty who is going to win this game. There are stories from years past where one team has won by the slimmest of margins so coming out determined is paramount to victory. The Blackhawks started out strong and finished strong for a 14-12 victory but what happened in between left much concern on the Adrian sidelines.
Gavin Reed found paydirt with a 28 yard receiving touchdown from Hunter Steen. Noah Koehler's extra point was good for the 7-0 lead. Adrian missed on some chances to pad their lead. In the meantime Midway began to run the ball at will against the Blackhawk defense. The Vikings scored after a lengthy drive with 3:55 to play in the first half. The extra point attempt was blocked allowing Adrian to maintain the lead. Midway got the ball back before halftime. With not enough time to sustain a lengthy drive the Vikings took to the air. Brody Ford was able to step in front of a pass to thwart the drive and prevent further damage.
The second half started much as the first half had ended. Adrian still appeared flat and the Vikings could smell an upset. Momentum was still on Midway's side. With field position on their side the Vikings pounded in another touchdown to take the lead but, again, missed the extra point attempt. Even though momentum was on Midway's side the Blackhawks were a touchdown away from victory.
Midway missed on some opportunities to put Adrian away. Just like in the first half when the roles were reversed this would come back to haunt them. Adrian was now a fired up ballclub looking to make something happen. That something happened when sophomore Cooper Mead took the ball around the left side and was met by several Viking defenders. With the aid of good blocking by his linemen Mead doubled back to the north side of the field, found some more blockers, made a few moves and sprinted to the end zone. Koehler connected on his second extra point attempt. The two teams would play out the clock with Adrian taking the victory formation to preserve the win.
Perhaps it was over confidence on the part of the Blackhawks that produced a game closer than many would have expected. Adrian was coming off two lopsided victories over Butler and Drexel. Midway was coming off the short end of two blowout losses. More likely, however, is that this game is a close affair 99% of the time. Neither team can afford to come in unfocused and expect an easy victory.
Let's hope Adrian takes this nail biter as a wake up call this week when they travel to Rich Hill to take on the Tigers. Rich HIll is 0-3 with blowout losses to Lincoln, Lockwood and Appleton City. All three are very tough teams for any opponent. Rich Hill will be used to facing tough competition and would love for nothing more to take advantage of a team that comes in unfocused.
Let's hope Adrian takes this nail biter as a wake up call this week when they travel to Rich Hill to take on the Tigers. Rich HIll is 0-3 with blowout losses to Lincoln, Lockwood and Appleton City. All three are very tough teams for any opponent. Rich Hill will be used to facing tough competition and would love for nothing more to take advantage of a team that comes in unfocused.
Comments:
Not our best game tonight. We came out very flat, and it showed. I told the kids that when we play Midway, the records don't matter. We will get their best game, and we did. To the kids credit, they overcame adversity and found a way to win. We need games like this so that we can play under pressure. I'm proud of the kids for getting the win, but we have a lot to work on. Midway controlled the line of scrimmage, and that is unacceptable. We will get better. We have Rich Hill this week, and they, too, will give us their best game. We need to keep winning to stay atop the conference.
Not our best game tonight. We came out very flat, and it showed. I told the kids that when we play Midway, the records don't matter. We will get their best game, and we did. To the kids credit, they overcame adversity and found a way to win. We need games like this so that we can play under pressure. I'm proud of the kids for getting the win, but we have a lot to work on. Midway controlled the line of scrimmage, and that is unacceptable. We will get better. We have Rich Hill this week, and they, too, will give us their best game. We need to keep winning to stay atop the conference.
 |
| Hunter Steen finds valuable yardage in a key 4th quarter drive. |
 |
| Cooper Mead's cut-back to find open field culminated in the game winning touchdown. |
Game Stats
Team Totals
Scoring Summary
- First Quarter Summary:
- Adrian (5:41) - Gavin Reed 28 yd pass from Hunter Steen (Noah Koehler kick)
- Second Quarter Summary:
- Midway (3:55) - Jacob Purtle 13 yd run (kick blocked)
- Third Quarter Summary:
- Midway (7:03) - Ike Riggs 1 yd run (pass failed)
- Fourth Quarter Summary:
- Adrian (8:57) - Cooper Mead 32 yd run (Koehler kick)
Game Stats
Comments
Post a Comment