North Beaten by Harlem
Story by Paul T. Zeien, Jr.
Sophomore Thunder Lose to Harlem 21-0
Thunder Soph beaten By Harlem
The Thunder Sophomore football time had a rough time Friday night against the Harlem Huskies. Early in the 1st quarter the Huskies scored from 37 yards out. The wind was coming hard from the West and this was a major factor in the kicker missing the PAT. The score was 6-0 Harlem. The clock drudges on in the 1st and then with 2:26 left in the quarter #39, John Trimble recovers a Harlem fumble and gives the Thunder the ball 1st and 10 on their own 33 yard line.
The Thunder could not move the ball significantly against the Huskies after getting the ball. At :45.3 seconds left in the 1st quarter the Thunder threw and interception which the Huskies returned for a touchdown. They chose a 2-point conversion attempt and it was good and the score was 14-0, Huskies.
There were no scores in the 2nd quarter and both teams seem to hold their own against each other. In the 3rd quarter the teams did not score any points but did exchange turnovers. Early in the 3rd Harlem recovers a Thunder fumble and midway into the quarter the Thunder intercept the Huskies. #8, Blake Harkness, was given credit for the intercept. Neither team was able to really capitalize on the turnovers.
The game would come to an end with a final score of Harlem 21, Thunder 0 following a 1 yard run off of the left side with only 2:23 remaining in the game. I saw an improvement in the execution of this team this week and expect even more next week. Keep your heads up guys.
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What a night for football a slight chill in the air a strong breeze and plenty of dark clouds moving rapidly across the sky. Okay I am not starting a novel but just trying to set a scene for you. The Thunder appeared to show up ready and willing to take it to the Harlem Huskies. They took their opening possession and quickly marched it down the field and scored on a #21, Austin Smaha sprint to the end zone. This would be one of 4 touchdowns that Austin would make this evening. Oh and did I mention that he would rush for over 230 some odd yards? He was on fire on defense as well. #7, Lauren Waddell would be good for the PAT and the Thunder would lead the Huskies 7-0.
5:35 and Harlem would score from 1 yard out. The PAT was good and the score was tied at 7 a piece. Thunder ball after receiving the kick-off and at 5:21 proceed to turn the ball over with a fumble. Harlem recovers the fumble and has good field position on the Thunder 22 yard line. They battle to the 20 yard line and the Huskies attempt a field goal. To no avail, and the clock would click off to end the 1st quarter.
Coach Z added a little bit of trickery at the start of the 2nd quarter. #66, Alex Larrabee direct snapped the ball to Smaha who proceeds to run 60 yards up field for a touchdown. A fake punt and Harlem never suspected it. Waddell was good for the PAT and the Thunder goes ahead 14-7. Harlem takes the kick-off and works all the way to the Thunder 27 yard line and attempts another field goal, no good again 8:44 on the clock.
Four minutes tick away and Harlem scores off of a pass from 19 yards away. The PAT was no good and the Thunder remained up by 1 point 14-13. The Thunder gets the kick-off and gets stopped deep in their own territory. They throw an interception and Harlem returns the ball to the 12 yard line of the Thunder. Less than a minute later from 12 yards out the Huskies score and successfully convert a 2-point conversion. The score was 21-14 and this was the beginning of the scoring run on the Thunder. :25.8 left in the first half and the Huskies score again. A failed 2-point conversion still puts Harlem up 27-14 going into halftime.
The 3rd period starts, 8:42 and Harlem scores from 8 yards out. Good on the 2-point and the score is Harlem 35, Thunder 14. All this did not matter to Smaha. 20 seconds later he takes the ball and sprints 83 yards for a score. Waddell was just wide for the PAT and the score was 35-20. Three minutes later Harlem takes it in a good PAT and the score now was 42-20. Smaha was on fire again and took the kick-off 90 yards for a score. This was the 4th of the evening as he was racking up the yardage. The Thunder attempts a 2-point conversion and fails, the score 42-26.
There would not be much more excitement with the game after this point. The Huskies were getting tired and the Thunder was trying to put something together. With 4:32 left in the game the Harlem place kicker hits a field goal making the score 45-26. This would be the final score. Smaha was clearly the dominate player in the contest tonight. The Thunder must get in the position of not as reliant upon #21. This is game 2 and the season will be mighty long unless other step up their game.
Coach Z, said this was “an easy one for him” he took complete responsibility for the loss. He said that it was a shame to waste Austin’s offensive effort with no defense. “I am the defensive coordinator and there was not enough defense tonight. It is my fault.” “ I have been at this a long time at a high level and I can fix it but it is going to take time and commitment from you all.”
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