Game 7 summary vs. Troy Colts 2006 (Game-time weather; 55 degrees, sunny, slight breeze, full moon)

The Highlander zone was in full swing on this beautiful autumn night in Troy. The Highlander faithful filled the away-side stands to capacity. This was a big game for both teams as the play-off picture comes into view. It was Troy’s homecoming and there was a play-off atmosphere in the air…along with a full moon in full view over the Colt’s stands.

The Highlander’s received the kick-off and Josh Renel ran the ball down to the 41-yard line. Their 1st possession witnessed the running game gaining a 1st down and moving the chains to mid-field. An illegal motion penalty on Highlanders along with an incomplete pass led to a 3rd and 7 predicament. A 1-yard gain by Renel set-up a Josh Patten punt. Greg Ornazian and Andrew Johnson did a nice job of covering the punt return and made the tackle at the 18-yard line.

The Colts 1st offensive possession also moved the ball after a pass completion good for 8-yards and a solid running play. The Highlander defense adjusted well and stopped the Colts on 2nd and 3rd down. Senior DB, Mark Hammett stopped the Colt RB on 3rd and 3 to force the Colts to punt.

Renel returned the punt to the 39-yard line. Cody Wilson went vertical and hauled down Waszak's pass that was good for a 12-yard gain. A quick hitch pass back to Wilson picked-up another 7-yards. With the Highlander offense moving into Colt territory, Waszak executed a well-thrown pass to FB Cory Hamilton down to the 23-yard line. With a new set of downs, QB Waszak found Wilson in the right corner of the endzone for the 1st Highlander touchdown of the contest. Casey’s P.A. T. was “good”. Highlanders 7 Colts 0

A short kick-off resulted in Troy starting their 2nd possession from the 34-yard line with less than 3 minutes left in the 1st quarter. After picking up a 1st down on 2 plays, the Highlander defense started to assert themselves. Beginning with LB Aaron McNamara, who played the sweep perfectly and stopped the ball carrier for no gain on 1st down. An incomplete pass on 2nd down set up the emergence of senior DE Joe Bernard who sacked the QB for a loss of 6-yards. The Colts were forced to punt. Renel fielded the punt and returned the ball to the 21-yard line.

The next Highlander possession was over in a flash after 3 consecutive passes didn’t connect. Bryan Ruehle’s long snap to Josh Patten was on the mark and Patten booted the ball past mid-field down to the 42-yard line. Nice job Josh!

The Highlander defense came through with a big effort on this next Colt drive. DL Mike Polk along with Matt Petrusha stopped the Colt RB for no gain on 1st down. LB Cory Gowman allowed the RB a 1-yard gain on the next play. A pass good for a 1st down moved the ball into Highlander territory. A sweep around the left side was well covered by LB McNamara and safety Hammett. The result was a loss of 3-yards. After DB Adam Smith defended well on the 2nd down pass attempt the Colts completed an 11-yard pass on 3rd down. Facing 4th and 2, the Colts went for it and ran into the teeth of the defensive line. The measurement came up short by 2 feet. The Highlanders got the ball back on downs.

As good as the defense was playing the offense wasn’t clicking. On 1st down, Waszak’s pass to Connor went off his fingertips and because it was thrown behind the line of scrimmage was ruled a fumble. The Colts recovered the loose ball.

The Highlander defense barley had enough time to get a quick drink of water and they were back on the field. Again, the defense met the task and forced the Colts to go “3 and out”. LB’s McNamara, Petrusha and McClelland made big plays to end this drive.

The Colt punt was downed at the 19-yard line. The offense was sure to engage and find it’s game but it would not be on this possession. After an incomplete pass and a short gain by SB Renel, a pass to Cody Wilson was intercepted by the Colt DB who ran the ball down to the 5-yard line.

The Highlander defense held tough on 1st and 2nd down. On 3rd down, the Colt QB ran a draw play and found the endzone. The P.A.T was “good”

Highlanders 7 Colts 7

With 4:40 left in the 2nd quarter, Monahan took the kick-off return to the 39-yard line. A holding penalty on 1st down brought up a 1st and 20 situation. Waszak’s pass to Wilson was intercepted. As the Colts DB was going down Wilson literally ripped the ball out of the DB’s hands. It was the Highlanders ball at the 25-yard line following a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Troy. What a heads-up play by the sophomore.

A costly holding call on the Highlanders negated a good run around the left side by Renel. A QB option for no gain followed by an incomplete pass led to a tough 4th and 25 predicament. On the ensuing play the QB fumble was recovered by the Colts.

The Colts started this next drive from the 30-yard line with 1:52 left in the half. A big gain off a FB draw moved the ball to the 39-yard line. After a couple short gains on 1st and 2nd downs, a pass complete to the RB moved the ball to the 15-yard line with .19 seconds left. A fade route pass that was well defended by DB Steve Emery led to a 3rd and 10 with .08 clicks left on the clock. Under pressure from the Highlander blitz, the Colt QB rolled out to the right and threw into the endzone for an apparent touchdown. The receiver was hit hard by Mark Hammett immediately when the ball touched his hands and was knocked loose. Unfortunately, the referee wasn’t looking at the receiver and signaled “touchdown”. The Colt P.A.T was “good” and the score at halftime was; Highlanders 7 Colts 14

The Colts 1st possession of the 2nd half started from the 20-yard line. On the 1st play from scrimmage, the Colt RB coughed up the ball and junior Aaron McNamara recovered it.

The Highlander offense tried to pound the ball on the ground but came up short of a 1st down. Facing a 4th and 5, place-kicker Casey’s 41-yard field goal attempt sailed wide to the right….

The Colt offense started from the 18-yard line and again the Highlander defense met the challenge. A big play by senior DL Peter Schmidt stuffed the Colt RB for no gain. A 3rd down pass completion was called back due to a holding penalty setting up a tough 3rd and 20 situation. A 1-yard gain on 3rd down made way for a 4th down punt that was woefully short. An 8-yard punt.

With a golden opportunity to tie the game the Highlander offense had the ball at the 25-yard line. The defense would step-up again and not allow the Colts any breathing room. Jake Heinrich, Adam Smith and Aaron McNamara made big plays to force the Colts to go “3 and out”. The Punt went out of bounds and hence no return.

With 5:55 left in the 3rd quarter, senior / captain Jake Wilson took the reins at QB for the Highlanders. A QB keeper for no gain, a screen pass to Renel for no gain and an incomplete pass made for a quick reunion with the offensive unit. Patten’s punt just made it into the endzone for a touchback.

With the Colts at their own 20-yard line and 3:45 left in the 3rd quarter, they threw a screen pass that the speedy RB turned into an 80-yard touchdown. The P.A. T was “good” Highlanders 7 Colts 21

The Highlander offense took possession at the 35-yard line following the Colts kick-off that went out-of-bounds. A pass interference call against the Colts couples with a well thrown pass to Braden Conner moved the chains and the ball to the 29-yard line. With a new set of downs and the momentum starting to swing in favor of the Highlanders, Wilson found SB Renel alone along the left sideline. Renel caught the pass and fell back into the endzone for an apparent touchdown. The referee ruled that his knee touched just outside the goal line so the ball was spotted at the 1-foot line. After 3 QB sneaks and an offside penalty against the Colts, Wilson broke the plane of the goal line and scored. Casey’s P.A. T kick was “good”.

Highlanders 14 Colts 21

With 11:55 left in the game, the Colt kick-returner scorched some 95-yards to score a big touchdown. They added the extra-point kick.

Highlanders 14 Colts 28

(This writer does not pretend to be the authority on Highlander football history, but I have to believe that what was about to unfold has to rank right up there in the annals of Highlander football comebacks…)

The clock showed 10:36 left in the contest. The Highlander offense started from the 44-yard line due to Adam Smith’s outstanding kick-return. On 1st down Wilson hit SB / receiver Connor down the middle of the field to the 18-yard line. Following a sweep to Renel and an incomplete pass, FB Hamilton picked-up 9-yards on 3rd down. Now from the 10-yard line, on 4th and 1, QB Wilson would not be denied as he picked-up 3-yards and a huge 1st down. On the next play, SB Conner ran the counter off the right side of the OL and into the endzone for a touchdown. A high snap from center was handled by the sure hands of holder Cody Wilson and Casey’s P. A.T kick was “good”. Great job Cody and Casey!

Highlanders 21 Colts 28

You have to know that the collective throats of the Colt players and fans had to be a bit tighter now with 9:31 left in the game. A squib-kick resulted in the Colts ball at the 40-yard line. With the full moon ablaze on the horizon, the Colt RB lost the handle of the ball on 1st down. Adding to his already big game, LB Aaron McNamara was at the bottom of the pile with the ball.

The Highlander offense took the field and felt the momentum and confidence building. From the 32-yard line, running plays by Conner and Hamilton picked-up 8-yards. A holding call against the offense set-up a 3rd and 13 situation. QB Wilson found SB Josh Renel in the middle of the field. Renel caught the ball and made a quick move to elude a Colt defender and he was off to the endzone. The P.A. T was “good” and this game is tied with 7:19 left to play.

Highlanders 28 Colts 28

The ensuing kick-off was covered by certified head-hunter Cory Colucci who dropped the Colt RB. With the Highlander zone chanting D-E-F-E-N-S-E, the Highlander unit responded. LB Gowman and DE Bernard both came up with QB sacks that forced the Colts to a 3rd and 20 dilemma. Their pass attempt was incomplete and they had to punt from the 25-yard line.

With 5:53 remaining Renel returned the punt to the 40-yard line. Conner picked-up 4- yards on 1st down. Facing 2nd and 6, the call to Hamilton was the right one. Senior FB Cory Hamilton shot through the Colt DL and went un-touched 40-yards into the endzone for the go-ahead touchdown. Casey’s P.A. T cleared the cross bar by a thread but good is “good”.

Highlanders 35 Colts 28

There was still enough time left (5:05) for Troy to score. The squib kick by Verville went into the endzone for a touchback. From the 20-yard line a QB draw picked up 20-yards. Then a swing- pass moved the ball to the 36-yard line and another 1st down. With 3:36 a pass attempt into the endzone was again well defended by CB Smith. A penalty was called on the Colt receiver for offensive pass interference…whew! That made it 1st and 25 for the Colt offense. After an incomplete pass DE Wayne Sanders came up with a big QB sack. With 2:37 left, facing a 3rd and 28, the Colts had to pass deep. This time it was Steve Emery who made the play to cover the receiver and thwart a completion. On 4th down the pass was also incomplete and the ball turned back over the Highlanders with 2:31 left to burn.

The Highlander offense did it’s very best to run out the clock but Jake Wilson’s QB option came up just short of the 1st down. So with .46 ticks left on the clock it was up to Bryan Ruehle’s snap and Pattens punt to keep this game out of harms way. They both succeeded as Patten hit a beauty of a punt down to the 32-yard line.

With only 0:37 showing on the clock, DE Joe Bernard could not be stopped as he rushed the Colt QB and knocked the ball loose. Junior DL Mike Polk pounced on the loose ball and this game was in the record books. Final score:

Highlanders 35 Colts 28

Congratulations to the coaching staff and players on this big victory. This game demonstrated the “heart” of this team. To come back and score 28 points in 15:15 on the road to beat a team that needed to win to be eligible for the playoffs on their homecoming...is what High school football is all about. Now it’s on to Farmington Hills Harrison for a game that this team CAN win.

Dan R.