Adams JV @ Southfield H.S. Aug. 23, 2007
Highlander JVs Thank the Heavens for Victory
Two “strikes” propelled the Adams JV football team to a win
against Southfield – one was from the arm of quarterback Tyler
Martin, and the other was from the hand of Mother Nature.
Martin threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Austin McClelland in the
first quarter, and the game was stopped at halftime due to lightning
strikes in the area. Under the rules, it was an official game and
the Highlanders took a 7-0 win.
At game time, it was a sunny and sweltering 91 degrees as the
Blue Jays kicked off. Perhaps a clue that this would be a somewhat
unusual game came in Adams’ first possession. QB Martin executed a
great ball fake to #22 TJ Trouba – in fact it was such a good fake
that it fooled the referee, who blew the play dead thinking that
Trouba had the ball and was tackled. In the meantime, Martin ran for
8 yards that didn’t count.
But the Highlanders possession ended with a lost fumble – one of
5 in the half by Adams. In fact, you could tell it was the season
opener as both teams looked less than sharp, committing several
fumbles and penalties.
The Blue Jays gave the ball right back to Adams with 7:01 left in
the first quarter on another fumble that set up the only scoring
drive of the game. The Highlanders were helped by a third-down pass
interference penalty on a throw to Alex Clark that moved the ball to
the Southfield 16 yard line.
On the next play #9 Martin recovered his own fumble, resulting in
a 2-yard loss. Facing 2nd and 12, he threw into the end zone looking
for #7 Andy Morrissey. Southfield was again called for pass
interference, setting up first and goal for Adams from the Blue Jays
9-yard line.
Martin then delivered a strike in the end zone to McClelland for
the inaugural score of the season. The PAT was perfect by kicker
Michael Biebelhausen.
Southfield threatened on their next possession getting inside the
red zone on a 26-yard pass play and a 27-yard scamper by the Blue
Jays quarterback. But the Highlander “D” stiffened helped by a
quarterback sack from #42 Alec Prechtel. Facing 4th and 20 on the
27, Southfield decided to go for it, but not before each team traded
penalties. All the while, the skies darkened from the southwest, and
rumblings of thunder could be heard. Now it was 4th and 15 on the
22, and the Blue Jays were stopped after a 5-yard gain, giving the
ball to Adams as the first quarter ended.
In the second quarter the two teams took turns exchanging punts,
and the only real scoring threat came from the Highlanders. But
after moving the ball as far as the Blue Jays 15-yard line, another
lost fumble ended the scoring chance with just over three minutes
left in the half -- and what was to eventually be the game.
As the teams were preparing to take the field for the second
half, the weather quickly turned threatening and visible lighting
meant the game would be delayed. But it was soon obvious that the
storm was a fierce one and the lightning got even closer, prompting
the officials to call the game.
So the JV Highlanders overcame mistakes and dashed out of
Southfield with the help of 50 mph winds with a 7-0 win. Next week
they take to the road again to face Farmington Harrison.
