Rochester Adams Highlanders vs. Farmington Harrison (Home)

Game time weather conditions; Sunny -74 degrees- light breeze

Tonight there was a clear difference in weather as well as the level of play on the field from last week. The “Highlander Zone” tailgate was alive and kicking as friends, family, and proud fathers wore their son’s white jersey’s to honor their commitment to the 2007 Rochester Adams football program.  Jim and Stacey Trumble’s “Highlander Brown” root beer was a tasty treat.

  This was a game that pitted two of the most respected High School football programs in the state against each other. This rivalry is what makes Friday night’s special for area football families and players.

 Most if not all local media pundits picked Farmington Hills Harrison (FHH) to win. Fortunately, the Highlander players didn’t buy into the Harrison hype machine.

 The Highlanders lost the coin flip but nothing else. This summary could end on that note however that would deny many players of their just notice for their outstanding effort in this game. The Harrison Hawks 1^st possession of the game was an early indication of the Highlander defense’s prowess. A pass completion moved the ball to the 42-yard line and a Hawk 1^st down.  Sophomore DT Jordan Sanders stuffed the Hawk RB Norm Shuford for a 1-yard loss. Two pass attempts that senior DB / WR Mike Monahan provided solid coverage on forced the Hawks to punt.

 From the 20-yard line the Highlander offense went to work.  Junior QB Andrew Waszak reeled off a nice 27-yard option that was wiped out by a holding penalty. Flashbacks of last week’s penalty laden affair made Highlander coaches and fan’s cringe. But junior FB Beau Barterian picked up 5-yards to bring up a 3^rd and 4.  Senior Captain RB / DB Josh Renel picked-up a 1^st down off good blocking by senior RB Braden Conner and junior OL Mike Sirosky. Waszak ran the midline veer option well and picked-up another 1^st down. This promising drive came to a screeching halt when a pass caught by junior QB/ WR Joe Reynolds was stripped and recovered by the Hawks around mid-field.

  The Highlander defense led by seniors Josh Patten and Adam Smith put the clamps on the Hawk offense and forced the 2^nd punt of the night. There was no return on as the ball bounced out-of-bounds.

  The Highlanders 2^nd possession was sidelined by an off -sides penalty, an incomplete pass and a run for no gain. Josh (Bigfoot) Patten’s punt was downed on the 48-yard line.

 Giving Harrison a short field is hazardous to a defensive coordinator’s well being. The defense almost stopped the Hawks on 4^th down and less than a yard. The spot of the ball resulted in a measurement that awarded the Hawks a 1^st down by the nose of the football.

The 2^nd quarter began with the Hawks ball at the 41-yard line. The Highlander Linebackers blitzed Hawk QB Craig Sacha and he threw a screen pass to RB Shuford who blew past several defenders and into the end zone for a touchdown.

 Adams 0 Harrison 7

   Monahan returned the kick-off to the 37-yard line. Waszak once again displayed very good command of the veer option as he scooted for 30-yards and deep into Hawk territory. The Highlander QB was on a roll and picked-up another 8-yards for a 1^st down at the 19-yard line. Facing 2^nd and 5, a jumbled option led to a fumble that Harrison recovered.

 With 9:21 left in the 1^st half the Highlander defense would assert themselves and force the Hawks to punt. Senior Captain OL/ DL Jake Heinrich and fellow senior DB Steve Emery came up big and stopped stuffed the RB Shuford for a 5-yard loss. Then Junior DL Zach Trumble who stopped the Hawk RB for no gain. Josh Renel took the ensuing punt and picked-up 12-yards to move the ball to the 32-yard line.

 With just under 8 minutes left in the half the offense needed to get on the score board. Two turnovers have ended promising drives and scoring chances.  Monahan showed his speed when he took a WR toss around the right end for 9-yards. FB Barterian rambled for 3-yards and a 1^st down. He followed that run with a hard fought 6-yard gain to move the rock down to the 15-yard line.  Waszak found WR Cody Wilson for a 5-yard pass completion and another 1^st down.  Renel picked up 3-yards then capped off this drive when he scored a touchdown from the 2-yard line. The extra point attempt failed. 

Adams 6 Harrison 7

 Senior RB / LB / head hunter Cory (Bear) Colucci dropped the Hawk RB like a bad habit at the 24-yard line. The Hawk offense completed a hitch pass that was good for 10-yards then stumbled after 2 penalties, an incomplete pass and a screen pass that senior LB Dan Muncie covered well. Punting from deep in their own territory Josh Renel was back to receive.  Renel fielded the ball and took off near the right sideline.  He flew past 2 would-be tacklers and made his patented inside /outside move and he was off to the races. QB / punter Sacha was the Hawks only hope of catching Renel but it wasn’t’ even close. Into the end zone he flew and the Highlander Zone erupted.  He’s been so close to breaking a kick / punt return and he picked a great time to finally do it. That was pure excitement and a school record. Congratulations Josh! The 2-point conversion run failed.

Adams 12 Harrison 7

 With just 3:01 remaining in the half the Hawks started this next drive from the 28-yard line after Braden Conner brought down the ball carrier on the kick return. On this series Jake Heinrich demonstrated why he’s one the best defensive ends in the state. He’s very difficult to stop due his speed and strength and he comes hard on every play. Jake and Smitty (Adam Smith) combined to corral Shuford for a 3-yard gain off a screen pass. Facing 3^rd and 7, a low snap from the center posed a problem for the Hawk QB Sacha and Heinrich was there to sack him for a loss. On 4^th and 19, the hawks were forced to punt again. Seeing Renel back to receive had to worry the Harrison coaching staff. Renel took the punt near mid-field and started down the left sideline. After he eluded a few Hawk defenders #5 lowered his shoulder into Renel’s midsection and rocked the Highlander. It was the hardest hit I’ve witnessed this season. Renel got up smiled and took a blow on the sideline.

  The following Highlander possession didn’t materialize after Waszak’s well thrown pass to an open receiver was dropped.  Patten’s punt was bobbled by RB Shuford and senior long-snapper Aaron Gesquire, who hustled downfield, made contact causing a fumble. Junior DB Ryan Crozenzi did a nice job and pounced on the loose ball.

 With only 53 showing on the clock the Highlander offense made quick work from the 23-yard line. Barterian blasted his way for a 12-yard gain. From the 11-yard line Waszak threw a nice touch-pass into the hands of Josh Renel for his 3^rd touchdown in the 2^nd quarter. Not bad Josh….

Adams 19 Harrison 7

 With 28 seconds left in the 1^st half Junior LB Andrew Johnson (AJ) tackled the Hawk kick-returner at the 31-yard line. The Hawk offense would mount a potent attack and went deep to an open WR but the ball was over thrown. The next play Sacha went to the same receiver and DB Monahan had the WR covered well but couldn’t hold on to the ball. Facing 3^rd down RB Shuford picked up a quick 10-yards and a 1^st down. Now with just 7 ticks left in the half Sacha went deep down the left sideline. DB Smitty had good coverage but the WR jumped out of the reach of Smith and he was off for the end zone. Senior safety Steve Emery turned-on the afterburners and made a huge touchdown saving tackle at the 5-yard line. Thank you Steve….

 The 2^nd half began with a solid 10-yard return by Conner to the 39-yard line.  Barterian and Waszak dominated this series with big gains off of running plays. Waszak reeled off a 29-yard scamper for a touchdown. The extra point was good.

Adams 26 Harrison 7

 The next couple of possessions by both the Highlanders and the Hawks did not result in any scoring. The Highlander offense lost the ball on a low toss from the QB.

 The Highlander defense made some good plays to slow down the desperate Hawk offense. Dan Muncey, Cody Wilson and Aaron McNamara made key plays to bring up a 4^th and 5 situation. Sacha threw the ball across mid-field where DB Monahan had good coverage on the Hawk receiver. The ball was thrown over their head’s and the official on the sideline called pass interference. That moved the ball down to the 22-yard line and a 1^st down. Again the defense played good with McNamara and Wilson teaming up on a screen pass for a loss of 2-yards. Facing another 4^th down and long situation, the Hawks went to the air and another very questionable pass interference was called on the Highlanders. The Hawks did score a gift touchdown on this drive.

Adams 26 Harrison 14

 The Highlander offense turned the ball over once again on the ensuing series. The Hawk offense mounted a long drive but the defense led by Heinrich, Muncey, Trumble and AJ came through to squelch this important drive by Harrison. This drive chewed up valuable minutes of the 3^rd quarter.

No sooner than the defense got a well deserved drink of water they were summoned back on the field.

 The 1^st play from the Highlander offense was a WR pass that was intercepted by the Hawks. The 4^th quarter got underway and the Hawks had to get their offense on track now.

The Highlander defense just wouldn’t cooperate.  Even another pass interference call against the Highlanders wasn’t enough to stop the passion that the defense was playing with. Great plays by DL Sirosky on 3^rd down and McNamara, Sanders and Patten on 4^th down shut down the Hawks cold.

 By this time in the game you could sense that the Highlander’s were not going to concede anything to the Harrison Hawks. The balance of the 4^th quarter belonged to Highlanders.

 DB Monahan intercepted a pass that gave the ball back to the Highlander offense.   From the 33-yard line Barterian ran for a 10-yard gain.  An offsides penalty on 4^th down moved the ball down to the 20-yardline. Waszak again ran hard on the veer option and took it to the house one last time for a touchdown. It capped off a tremendous game for the junior QB in a big game atmosphere. Gesquire’s snap, Wilson’s hold and Verville’s kick was on the money.  The extra point attempt was good. The Final score:

 Adams 33 Harrison 14

  This was a statement game early on in the season. Losing on the last play of the game last year left a sour taste in the senior’s mouths. The coaching staff had this team well prepared and the entire team played with passion and determination. Congratulations to the players and the coaching staff. 

 Now it’s time to sleigh the Dragons.