Thunder and lightening cancelled the frosh game scheduled to precede this JV classic, but Mother Nature stepped aside to let the Highlanders unleash their own thunderous ground attack and lightening air attack on the Groves Falcons.  Despite missing 3 key offensive players to injury, (QB Joe Reynolds, FB Beau Barterian, and WR Mike Barber) the Adams JV amassed an impressive 331 total offensive yards. 

          Jason Finney, stepping in at QB for the injured Reynolds, completed 5 of 7 pass attempts for 97 yards and rushed for another 48.  The Highlanders wasted no time as they took to the air on their first drive of the game.  Mitch Weiland caught the first pass over the middle for 22 yards then Finney rolled out to connect with Kevin Rohner on a scintillating 38-yard TD pass.  Matt Egbert added the extra point to put the Highlanders up early 7 to 0.

          The small group of Adams’ faithful looked to settle in for a nice rout as the Highlander defense held firm for a Falcon’s 3 & out; however, the tables quickly turned on the ensuing punt when Adams fumbled the return to turn the ball back over to Groves in Highlander territory.  A terrific defensive performance which included 2 fantastic pass defenses by Nick Montes and back-to-back sacks by Joel Wentzloff on the continuing Falcon drive was marred by 2 penalties against Adams and a single defensive break-down that yielded the big play for Groves’ first score.  The extra point failed preserving a narrow Highlander lead 7 to 6.

          Adam’s second turnover of the night came quickly as Finney was hit from the blind side while dropping back to pass.  Groves recovered for a 1^st & 10 on the Highlander 23.  Having just defended 20 consecutive Falcon plays, the Adams defense was unable to hold, giving up both the TD and the 2-point conversion to fall behind 7 to 14 early in the second period.

          The 3^rd offensive drive of the night for Adams came up short forcing a Kevin Rohner punt.  The Highlander defense was back on the field and, this time, it was Groves’ turn to take to the air with a 46-yard TD strike.  Again, the extra point came up short; but now, a game that looked to be an Adams’ rout was suddenly looking like a rout of Adams.

          Down 7 to 20, the Highlanders wasted little time in mounting their comeback.  Finney returned the Falcon kick-off 15 yards to give the Highlanders their best starting field position of the evening near mid-field.  Nick Montes then broke loose for an electrifying, 50-yard run down to the Groves 3!  Mitch Weiland closed the deal with a 3-yard TD dive and Matt Egbert added the extra point with his usual reliability.  The lightening was back and the game was on!  Adams 14, Groves 20.

          Groves kept the ball for the next 8 plays but sacks by Taylor Duda and Joel Wentzloff forced a Falcon punt.  Defense ruled as the teams traded punts until Adams took to the air attack with a 19-yard catch by Mitch Weiland.  Nick Montes, again, got loose for a 13-yard pickup setting up another first and goal for the Highlanders.  Mitch Weiland notched his 2^nd TD of the night with a 2-yard run around the end courtesy of a great lead block by Nick DeMiro who led a resurgent offensive line that controlled the line-of-scrimmage all night.  The extra point was no good, but the Highlanders had overcome 2 turnovers to erase a 2 TD deficit and tie the game 20 all.

The Adams defense got a crucial 3 & out on the next Falcon possession to get the ball back with a chance to take the lead.  Runs by Matt Egbert and a 15-yard catch by Ryan Crocenzi brought the Highlanders to the Falcon 10 before the drive stalled.  Matt Egbert took to the field and booted a 27-yard field goal for what was to be the margin of victory:  Adams 23, Groves 20.

          The final minutes saw a great Highlanders defense and enough offense to chew up the clock and preserve the Adams victory.  The last serious Falcon drive was ended abruptly by an Andrew Maas interception on the Groves 39.

          So you missed the game?  Well, you missed a classic not well represented by it pedestrian score.  This young, Highlanders team proved that they can overcome adversity and keep fighting for the win. 

          In addition to their 97 pass yards, they ran for another 234.  Mitch Weiland led the way with 47 yards on the ground and 41 receiving for a total of 98.  Nick Montes had a breakout night with 64 rush and 3 receiving yards while Matt Egbert contributed 53 rushing yards.  Kevin Rohner’s 38-yard TD grab and Ryan Crocenzi’s 15-yard catch capped a night where 4 different receivers got into the action.  The Adams O-line jelled in this game with key blocks and great pass protection.

          Defensively, the Highlanders held the Falcons to just 53 yards on 36 rushes from scrimmage including 6 sack and 6 tackles for loss.  Mitch Weiland and Joel Wentzloff led the charge with 18 tackles and 3 sacks respectively.  Finney threw in another 10 tackles while Nick Montes contributed several key pass defenses.  Andy Maas’ interception effectively ended the Falcon pass attack, which finished the night 6 for 15 with 1 interception.

          Finally, the Highlander Cheer Team and fans also got into the action as this small group of about 25 made more noise than a Friday night Adams crowd providing the 12^th man needed to mount the comeback victory!

Photos by Jill Olmack and Yvonne Egbert