North vs Boylan

Story by Paul T. Zeien, Jr.

SOPHOMORE GAME

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Sophomore Thunder loses to Boylan

The Sophomore Thunder football team had a very rough night against the Boylan Titans at Funderburg Stadium Friday night. The final score would reflect the difficulty they had with the Titans.

#8, Alan Hawkins and #37, Zack Stintson was back for the Thunder to receive the opening kickoff. With the strong wind at the back of the Boylan kicker he easily put the ball into the end zone for the touchback. The Thunder opened their first possession 1st and 10 on their own 20 yard line. They were unable to get past the original line of scrimmage and were forced to punt.

The Titans fielded the ball on the Thunder 38 yard line and in two plays hit the end zone for the first score of the game. The PAT was good and the score was Titans 7, Thunder 0. At 4:54 left in the 1st quarter the Titans score with a 19 yard sprint. This time the PAT was off to the right and the score was Titans 13, Thunder 0. The final score of the 1st quarter was Boylan’s. It came off of a 20 yard run up the middle. The 2-point conversion attempt was no good so at the end of the 1st quarter it was Titans 19, Thunder 0.

The 2nd quarter was the best quarter that the Thunder had of the game. They played good solid football until Boylan broke through the left side of the line and scored a 22 yard touchdown. This time the 2-point conversion was good and the score was Titans 27, Thunder 0. Almost at the half the Thunder turns the ball over on downs to the Titans and the 1st half of play ends with Boylan taking a knee letting the clock run out.

The first score of the 3rd quarter came at 5:10 when Boylan completes a 46 yard pass. The PAT was no good the score moved up to Titans 33, Thunder 0. At 4:50 Boylan intercepts a Thunder pass at mid field. Just over a minute later Boylan completes a 25 yard touchdown pass followed up with a good 2-point conversion. The score was now 41-0 Titans.

With only a few seconds remaining in the game #2, Kendall scores a Thunder touchdown. (I apologize for not having the complete name of this player). The PAT was no good with the final score being Titans 41, Thunder 6.

VARSITY GAME

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Thunder game called as a loss

It was a beautiful night for football, breezy, around 70 something, no bugs and much more comfortable than last week. Unfortunately the outcome of the game last week was better than this week. Although the game was a loss the Thunder played with an abundance of class which I cannot say was reciprocated with their opponent. It seemed like the same old antics that I remember from 20+ years ago still exist today. I tried to keep this editorial piece out of this story but I just cannot do it. Things I saw and do not agree with late hits, pile on antics, running up when unnecessary, etc. Now that is off my chest I will continue with the game details.

The game opened with a smashing hit on the kickoff by #55, Keith Watson. He drops the Boylan kick returner back on the 7 yard line of Boylan. The defense came on the field and held the Titans until 9:29 in the 1st. At this time they complete a 43 yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good and the score was Titans 7, Boylan 0.

At 7:35 the Thunder fumbles the ball and Boylan recovers on the 24 yard line of the Thunder. Boylan was not able to capitalize on the turnover. The quarter ends with Boylan leading 7-0.

The 2nd quarter just began and Boylan scored with a 1 yard run. The clock only had clicked off a few seconds. The PAT was good and the score was Boylan 14, Thunder 0. At 7:21 Boylan scored a 6 yard run with a good PAT and the score was Titans 21, Thunder 0. The Thunder seemed to be unable to stop the Titan attack. 14 seconds later the Thunder fumbles the ball and the Titans recover on the Thunder 21 yard line. This eventually sets up a Boylan 5 yard touchdown pass. The PAT was good again and the Titans were winning 28-0. The 1st half would finally end but not before Boylan runs in another touchdown. This time from 8 yards out. The PAT was blocked by the Thunder but the score remained Titans 34, Thunder 0.

At 9:38 Boylan hit the continuous running clock threshold. This came when they scored a 5 yard run and was successful with the PAT. The score Titans 41, Thunder 0. The Thunder tried to move the ball and was gaining field advantage. At 8:45 Boylan intercepts a Thunder pass on the Thunder 28 yard line. The final Boylan score would come at 2:24 in the 3rd with a 1 yard run off of the left side of the line. The PAT was good and the score was 48-0 Titans.

The Thunder did not give up by any means. With 11:21 on the clock #10, Corey Wennmacher sprints 35 yards for nice gain into Boylan territory. At 5:34 Boylan gets a pass interference penalty which puts the Thunder on the Boylan 5 yard line. A blatant late hit put Wennmacher out of the game with possible rib injuries. #12, Keith Larson was pegged to step in the game in his place at quarterback. With 3:37 remaining in the game Larson takes the ball the 2 yards needed for the first Thunder score of the night. #64, Lauren Waddell splits the uprights for the PAT and the score which would be the final was Titans 48, Thunder 7.

There was about 3:16 left in the game and my wife had called and told me that every Rockford game was called due to rain and lightning and it was heading towards Belvidere. At 3:16 a huge lightning bolt streaked across the sky which prompted the officials to suspend the game. The coaches decided to call the game and the rain proceeded to pelt all of us.

Next week is homecoming go get Jefferson Thunder…
 

STATS

BOX SCORE

SCORING SUMMARY

4Q / 3:37 / Keith Larson (#12) / 2-yard run / PAT good / 7 points

OFFENSIVE STATS

DEFENSE STATS

SPECIAL TEAMS STATS