| October 5, 2006
Rochester Adams JV vs. Troy JV The Troy Colts executed a well-prepared game plan in defeating the Adams JV squad, 30-7 tonight. Once again, turnovers and inconsistent tackling plagued the Highlanders early and often. Several strong individual performances were not enough to overcome Troy’s discipline and execution.
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 Photo by Jill Olmack |
 Photo by Yvonne Egbert |
Ryan Crocenzi opened the game by
returning the kickoff to start the Highlanders off with good field
position. But the first play from scrimmage resulted in a fumble
that Troy recovered on the 33. Six plays later, and Adams was down
6-0. The Highlanders began to get untracked on the next possession.
Crocenzi again had a fine kickoff return of 25 yards. Matt Egbert
ripped off two carries totaling 25 yards to put the ball in Troy
territory. Joe Reynolds scampered 28 yards on a QB keeper, and a
facemask penalty put the ball in the Red Zone – Adams was in
business. Two plays later, though, another fumble gave Troy the ball
at their 17, snuffing out a promising drive.
The Colts’ ground game engaged, and quickly moved the ball to the Highlander end of the field. A long run looked like disaster until Kevin Rohner forced a fumble at the Adams 21 – snuffing out the Troy threat. Defenses stiffened for both teams as Adams was forced to punt, then forced Troy to do the same. Jordan Parker was dominant inside to stuff Troy’s attempts. But the Turnover Monster reared its ugly head again as the Troy punt was fumbled inside the Adams 10. It took only four running plays for the Colts to punch it in. After a successful two-point conversion pass, the score was 14-0. The First Quarter ended there. |
The Second Quarter looked much better for the home
team. Kevin Rohner’s punt started Troy in their territory, but a
combination of passes and runs put the ball at the Highlander 18.
That is where the Highlanders drew the line in the sand. Excellent
pressure up the middle by Joel Wentzloff, Zach Trumble, and Kevin
Markey was taking its toll on the offense. A holding call moved the
ball back, forcing Troy to the air. But it was not meant to be as
Mitch Weiland and Crocenzi turned in sterling pass defense to get
the ball back on downs. The Highlander ground game took over as
Adams ran 18 of the 29 plays in the quarter. Twelve consecutive runs
by Jason Finney, Egbert, and Weiland yielded hard-fought yardage,
down to the Troy 9. A holding call negated a nice TD run by Weiland,
but the team came right back with a 19 yard Joe Reynolds to Kevin
Rohner TD pass. Rohner’s extra point made it 14-7 with 1:09
remaining in the half. Anthony Johnson was all over the field to
lead an inspired defense in eliminating any further Colt threat in
the half.
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 Photo by Yvonne Egbert |
 Photo by Yvonne Egbert |
The Colts opened the second half intent on asserting their running game. But outstanding hits by Taylor Duda and Lloyd Reeves, as well as tackles for losses by Johnson and Finney appeared to bottle up Troy. But a simple off-tackle run turned into much more for Troy. 8 missed tackles later, the Colt was corralled by Mitch Weiland at the Adams 2. That led to a 21-7 lead. Then came the backbreaker. Troy executed an onside kick, surprising the entire Adams team. Troy recovered on the Adams 35. Reynolds, Crocenzi, Duda, and Finney all made outstanding individual plays to force a fourth down after modest gains. Troy’s kicker converted a 40-yard field goal to extend the lead, 24-7. The boys got the ball back intent on a quick score. After a Reynolds to Nick Montes pass was broken up, Reynolds slashed 55 yards down to the 3. Runs and a penalty left them still at the three when Rohner lined up for a field goal out of the Reynolds hold. Troy sensed the fake – and they were correct. The attempt was stuffed and Troy took over on their 14 to end the Third Quarter leading 24-7. |
| Adams needed a game changing effort to start the fourth quarter, and could have been inspired by the Detroit Tigers victory that afternoon, or Conor Boyle’s highlight reel in the freshmen game. But hope was quickly extinguished when Troy’s #29 got loose for 66 yards before Reynolds chased him down at the 20. Troy followed that with a halfback pass for a TD to extend the lead to 30-7. The Highlanders attempted to mount a comeback with Finney’s 23 yard dash, and a pretty Reynolds to Montes 19-yarder. But the drive stalled there. |
 Photo by Yvonne Egbert |
 Photo by Yvonne Egbert |
The defense did not know the meaning of quit. Adam Palma, Aaron Gaines, and Kyle Scislowicz controlled the line and forced a Troy punt. Unfortunately, the Monster bit again as the punt was fumbled back to Troy. Again, the defense would not say die as Alex Grady and Andy Maas stuffed a runner forced outside by fierce inside pressure. Alas, the next play saw poor tackling cut another Colt loose before Grady hunted him down with a touchdown saving tackle at the 2. Troy demonstrated great Sportsmanship by taking a knee several times to run out the clock. The final score was 30-7, sending Adams to their 2nd consecutive defeat. Everyone from the coaches to the manager must to be prepared for a talented Farmington Hills Harrison squad next Thursday, October 12th at Adams field. |
Game Summary: Pete Grady