Game 7 summary vs. Troy Colts

 

 If there was any question about just when fall would arrive it was quickly answered as brisk temperatures and bone-chilling winds greeted the Highlander parents who gathered for “Parents Day” prior to game time.

 The Highlanders received the opening kick-off and Mike Hauser took it to the 27-yard line. The opening drive included outstanding running plays by quarterback Jake Ball, fullback Cory Hamilton and slot back Brian Hollett. This well executed drive came up short as Jake Ball’s QB keeper on 4^th and 1 from Troy’s 6-yard line was stuffed by the Troy Colt defense.

 The Colts first drive of the game came to an abrupt end when junior defensive end Joe Bernard sacked the Troy quarterback causing a fumble. Senior linebacker Ben Dahlstrom recovered the football for the Highlanders. The Highlander offense took advantage of the excellent field position and Cory Hamilton, who has shown his speed and strength the last 3 games, took it 19-yards to the house for the first Highlander score. Bryan Kimball added the P. A. T.

 

 Adams 7 Troy 0

 

 Troy’s second possession of the game again was unproductive as they gave the ball back to the Highlanders. Jake Ball showed his outstanding running ability as he ran the ball 71-yards deep into Troy territory. An untimely holding call against the Highlanders resulted in a 3^rd and 25 yard situation. The Colts sacked Jake Ball and forced the Highlanders to punt. The Troy Colts took possession on the 33-yard line. Junior Free safety, Jake Wilson made a nice play on 3^rd and 6 to kill this drive and turn the ball over to the Highlanders.

 With 10:42 left in the first half, the offense went to work. Running plays by Cory Hamilton and Jake Ball moved the ball to the 44-yard line. A QB draw good for 11-yards and another solid run by the fullback Hamilton moved the ball inside the 40-yard line. Quarterback Jake Ball was sacked on 3^rd and 1 to set-up a 47-yard field goal attempt by place kicker Bryan Kimball. Kimball’s kick was well struck but careened of the right upright the kick was “no good”.

 Troy took over the ball on Adam’s 20-yard line The Colts offense put together a nice drive that included a screen pass on 3^rd and 4 good for a first down. Another 18-yard pass was complete moving the ball across the 50-yard line. This drive resulted in a punt after a pass attempt on 3^rd down was ruled incomplete. The Highlanders took over on the 25-yard line. Multiple offensive weapons contributed on this next Highlander drive. The patented Ball QB keeper, counters by slot backs Renel and Morrin, a Cory Hamilton dive capped off by a 39-yard pass to Mike Hauser for a touchdown. Kimball added the P. A. T. and the Highlanders took a 14-0 lead.

 With 1:05 left in the first half, Troy returned the football back to the Highlanders after series of plays failed to get them into scoring position. The Highlanders went into their hurry-up offense to take advantage of good field position. Ball’s pass to Hauser was good for 9-yards. Another pass to Hollett was well defended by the Colts for no gain. Now with 21 seconds left Jake Ball ran a QB sneak for a first down and to stop the clock. On the next play Ball scrambled out of the pocket and found wide-open receiver Braden Connor. Connor caught the ball and was tackled on the 1-yard line with 8 seconds left in the half. An illegal procedure penalty negated the play and the first half ended.

 Halftime score; Adams 14     Troy 0

 In the second half the Highlander’s first offensive possession started at the 25-yard line. Again, the offense used a mix of running plays by Ball, Chris Gierak, Renel and Hamilton moved the ball convincingly into Troy territory. On 2nd down and 7 from the 15- yard line,

Josh Renel ran a sweep around the left end into the end zone for an apparent touchdown. A holding penalty wiped the points off the board and moved the ball back to the 30-yard line. A hitch pass back to Renel on 3^rd down went for 15 yards. On 4^th down the Highlanders attempted a 30-yard field goal. The snap was high and hard to handle and the kick was “no good”. 

 Troy’s first possession of the second half started on the 35-yard line. A QB sack by linebacker Corey Momont for a 7-yard loss forced the Colts to punt again. A clipping call against the Highlanders moved the ball back to the 18-yard line. This Highlander drive did not materialize and a 15-yard punt gave Troy the ball at the 41- yard line. Troy’s next possession failed when Both Tom Fedolak and Momont stuffed the Colt running back for a loss. Adam’s took over with 1:32 left in the 3^rd quarter and the ball spotted on the 20-yard line. Jake Ball came up with another big play off the QB veer option. This time it was good for 54-yards. Gierak added a sweep good for 6-yards and a first down on the 15-yard line.

  The 4^th quarter started at the 15-yard line with the Highlanders offense ready to pounce. Brian Hollett caught a Jake ball pass for the next Highlander score of the game. A very reliable Bryan Kimball added the P. A. T.  and the Highlanders took a commanding

21-0 lead. With 10:28 left in the game the Highlander’s kicked off to the Colts and junior Cory Gowman put a big hit on the ball carrier dropping him in his tracks. This Troy drive was thwarted as well and they punted the ball back to the Highlanders once again. Now with 6:43 left in the contest, fullback Cory Hamilton reeled off another big run good for 45-yards to the 32-yard line. A series of running plays by Renel, Dahlstrom and Hamilton moved the ball to the 6-yard line. Slot back Josh Renel took it home for the final score of the game. Kimball’s

 P. A. T was good.

 

Final score; Adams Highlanders 28     Troy 0

 

Congratulations to the players and the coaching staff on their well earned win.

 

 

D.Renel