Sun. August 29, 2010
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
F |
|
| GC | 0 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
21 |
| STX | 6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
Game Stats
There are three things I learned about people in Cincinnati. One – they really love high school football (radio, TV, internet, everywhere you go). Two – you won’t meet a friendlier or more hospitable group of people anywhere in the world. Three – they have class. In defeat, they genuinely congratulate you on a game well played.
With a national television audience and the St. Xavier Bomber nation out in full force, this game had a college feel to it. The St. X student section was a younger version of the Duke Basketball crazies and they made their presence felt during warm-ups, playfully ribbing the Good Counsel players. It was extremely hot in the stands and even hotter on the turf. The Falcons were stopped just short of the first down on their opening possession. The Bombers were hitting on all cylinders right from the start, scoring on a 70-yard, five-play drive and quickly led 6-0 after a failed extra point attempt. GC was still having trouble solving St. X’s 3-3-5 defense on the next series, but they got the ball back after St. X QB Nick Albers’ pass fell incomplete on 4th down. On their third possession, the Falcons were starting to generate some offense. Zach Dancel hit Vince Croce over the middle for a 9-yard gain and a first down. Two plays later, Dancel threw a snap screen to Stefon Diggs, who made a quick move to shake his defender, and sped down the sideline for a 29-yard gain. GC threatened, getting as far as the St. X 12-yard line, but couldn’t convert the drive into points.
As the second quarter began, the Falcons defense began to assert themselves and shut down the Bombers with regularity. Diggs sacked Albers on a blitz to force a punt. Unfortunately, GC fumbled the punt return and St. X got the ball back at the GC 33 yard line. It was crucial for the defense to get a stop right away as St. X was in excellent position to increase their lead. Sometimes a turnover in that situation can be disastrous for a team. The Falcons defense wasn’t going to let that happen, not allowing a first down, and GC took over on downs. It was 3 plays and out for GC, but Kyle Hamby put St. X back on their 20-yard line, booming a 48-yard punt under extreme pressure. Next came one of the more thrilling plays of the game. Diggs intercepted a downfield pass and while being tackled, flipped the ball to Wes Brown, who displayed why he is a top running back, taking it all the way for an apparent touchdown. Unfortunately, there was a penalty on the runback, so it was GC ball on the 35-yard line. The Falcons were able to get into Bombers territory, but not much further. Kendall Fuller ended the half with another GC interception. Good Counsel went into halftime trailing 6-0, but knew they were right in the game.
Diggs forced a St. X fumble to open the second half. Both defenses dominated the third quarter as neither offense was able to generate a first down until late in the quarter. Hamby pinned the Bombers back on their 18-yard line with a 51-yard punt, and following a St. X fumble, GC was knocking on the door again on their 15-yard line. However, the frustration continued to mount as Dancel’s pass to Diggs was deflected at the last second in the end zone by Sean Duggan to avert the touchdown. The Falcons defense came up big again and held St. X to three plays and out on their next possession, giving GC excellent field position at the 43-yard line.
With Wes Brown out with an injury, Dorian ODaniel and Mike Jefferson were carrying the load as the fourth quarter began. The GC offense finally broke through the Bombers defense, mixing up plays and using their athleticism to put together an 11-play scoring drive. A quick pass to Croce over the middle resulted in pass interference. Another quick toss into the flat to Diggs gave GC a 15-yard gain down to the 23. It looked as if the drive would stall as GC faced 4th down and 13 yards to go from the 25-yard line. On a clutch play, Dancel found Diggs on a slant for a 22-yard gain down to the 3. From there, ODaniel waltzed into the end zone behind great blocking on the left side of the offensive line. Finally, GC was on the board, taking the lead 7-6 on Hamby’s extra point. All of the sudden, the Falcons were in control of the game. The Good Counsel defense was dominating, not allowing a first down or even a completion, as St. X tried to make a comeback via the pass. Mike Jefferson dimmed Bombers’ hopes with an interception and speedy 53-yard interception TD return. Two plays later, Diggs sealed the deal with a very nifty 38-yard interception return for a touchdown, locking up Player of the Game honors. Good Counsel was very fortunate to have this opportunity to play in this game and participate in the Ohio football experience. It is definitely a win to celebrate over a tough St. Xavier team, just not for too long. Gilman is waiting in the wings.
Fri. September 3, 2010
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
F |
|
| GC | 0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
14 |
| GIL | 0 |
7 |
6 |
13 |
13 |