Castle Challenge Varsity Edition

The historic first game between the Belvidere Bucs and the Belvidere North Blue Thunder was played at Funderburg stadium with a packed crowd. The dynamics of the game is quite interesting as stated in the sophomore story the game really decides the bragging rights of the city officially or unofficially that is the fact. As I sit in the press box I glance down at the field and see the trophy that will be handed out following the completion of the game. When I played here in the late 70s, (no comments on the age), I never thought that I would see a time when there would be this type of event. Time really does move on. Anyway let’s get on to the game thanks for letting me ramble for a few.

It was quite the event all sports teams from all schools including the middle schools were represented and introduced between the games. Dignitaries from local government and the undefeated 1947 Belvidere Buc football team were present.

The Thunder is tasked with kicking off and defending the South end #5, Tiras Harris is back to get the ball. He returns to his own 25 yard line. #40, Patrick O’Brien of the Bucs gets the first Buc first down right up the middle. At 8:54 the Bucs complete a large pass to #32, Alex Moore putting the ball on the Thunder 22 yard line.  O’Brien puts the ball into the end zone off the left side of the line. The PAT attempt by #7, Kyle Tevebaugh is good and the score at 7:19 in the 1st quarter is Bucs 7, Thunder 0.

#13, Alex Tripp for the Thunder gets the kickoff and returns the ball to the Thunder 44 yard line. A false start penalty takes away 5 yards for the Thunder 1st and 10 on the Thunder 39 yard line. The Thunder was unable to make a first down on their first possession and is forced to punt. A personal foul pushes the Bucs back to their own 13 yard line.

At 3:26 Tevebaugh makes a 55 yard run ending at the 5 yard line of the Thunder; 1st and goal. #30. Chris Gust takes the Bucs in for the score. Tevebaugh’s PAT was good and the score is Bucs 14, Thunder 0.

#11, Tyler Nelson catches the short Buc kick and gives the Thunder good field position at their own 40 yard line. With 9.6 seconds left in the first quarter the Thunder fumbles the ball and it is recovered by the Buc #44 Brian Rosinski. This gives the Bucs 1st and 10 on the 50 yard line.

#87 Charles Chatman catches a #34, Phil Czechowicz 39 yard pass to make the score Bucs 20, thunder 0. Tevebaugh nails the PAT dead center of the uprights adding the one. #20 Landon Jackson gets the kickoff and returns to the 35 yard line. The Thunder was faced with a 3rd and 26 from their own 30 yard line with 9:36 left in the half.  The Thunder is forced to punt. The punt goes out left and the Bucs have possession on the 45 yard line of the Thunder.

The Bucs quickly take the ball down the field scoring a touchdown off a Tevebaugh to #80, George Waddell 8 yard pass. Tevebaugh is good with the PAT and the score is Bucs 28, Thunder 0 with 8:52 on the clock.

6:55 remains in the half and the Thunder punt the punt is way short and gives the Bucs 1st and 10 on the Thunder 32 yard line. O’Brien pops a 17 yard touchdown run through the middle of the line. Tevebaugh’s PAT is good and the score is now Bucs 34, Thunder 0.

The second half begins with Jackson and Tripp back to receive the kickoff. Jackson gets the ball and is quickly brought down on the 23 yard line. The Thunder is forced to punt on their first possession. The Thunder punt shanks to the left and the Bucs have 1st and 10 on the Thunder 42 yard line.

#42, David Yurevich, intercepts the Buc pass in the end zone at the 5:23 mark. The Bucs get a personal foul penalty tacked on the make the on put s the Thunder 1st and 10 on the 25 yard line. The Bucs methodically march the ball towards the end zone. At the 1:09 mark the Bucs have a 3rd and 3 yard scenario. The clock would hit 14.9 and Chatman would catch a diving catch from Tevebaugh for the score. Tevebaugh’s PAT was good and the score was Bucs 42, Thunder 0. This would be the end of the 3rd quarter.

With the clock in continuous run mode the Thunder take their opportunity to pound towards the Buc end zone. With 6:10 the Thunder is 3rd and 2 on the Buc 13 yard line. 5:32 #22, Ken Anderson for the Thunder makes a 13 yard run into the end zone. #64, Lauren Waddell is in for the PAT and it is good. There is a penalty on the play roughing the kicker. The Thunder kicks off from the Buc 45 yard line. The score is Bucs 42, Thunder 7.

The time would run out on this game and the Bucs would be victorious and get the General Mills trophy. There will be a next year and it is a whole new ball game. Congratulations to all of the players, coaches, athletic directors, and administrators that pulled off a spectacular inaugural event.

Castle Challenge Sophomore Edition

The hype began early in regard to the cross town game; the question is who would walk away with the bragging rights of the city? Of course BCS.com is impartial so you will have to read on to get the full story.

The duo of #37, Zach Stintson and #8, Alan Harkins back to receive the kick. Stintson gets the ball and returns the ball to the Thunder 35 yard line. Stintson gives the Thunder a first down on a 3rd and 2 call. With a 4th and 5 the Thunder is forced to punt to finish out their first possession of the game.

The Bucs get the ball on the 31 yard line when the Thunder down their punt. The Bucs are forced to punt to close their first possession of the game. The Thunder defense held them allowing on 9 yards rushing the first series.

The end of the first quarter was North 0, Bucs 0. The first quarter was hard fought and both teams appeared to be pretty closely matched.

With 2:59 left in the first half of play the Bucs was threatening a score. From about the 11 yard line the Bucs complete a pass that looks like it will be a score. A North defender hit the Buc receiver and flipped him in the air forcing a fumble into the end zone. The Thunder recovers giving them a 1st and 10 on their own 20 yard line.

The Thunder brings the ball back to the 23 yard line and turns the ball over with a fumble. The ball was recovered by #27 of the Bucs, Tim Kadisak. At 1:33 the Bucs are 1st and goal on the Thunder 7 yard line, the Bucs call a timeout. #2, James Johnson scores a 3 yard touchdown run.  #42, Alex Shanna is successful on the PAT Bucs 7, Thunder 0.

The Thunder marches the ball back towards the Bucs end zone and the Bucs call a timeout with 27.9 seconds left in the half.  The Thunder calls time out with 13.5 seconds remaining.  The half would end with the score Bucs 7, Thunder 0.

#64, Eric Tamayo starts the second half of play with a kic that the Bucs returned to their own 37 yard line. The Thunder holds and the Bucs are forced to punt. Hawkins takes the ball and makes a good gain only to be negated by an illegal block to the back penalty. This gives the Thunder 1st and 10 on their own 30 yard line. At 6:51 the Thunder turns over the ball and #87, Scott Wesley recovers for the Bucs. The Bucs take advantage of the turnover and march down the field. At 3:45 the Bucs call a timeout with the ball on the 3 yard line and 4th down. The Bucs want to pass to make the score but Johnson is forced to scramble and fights off 3 tacklers to break the goal line. #42 Alex Shanna, PAT was no good this made the score Bucs 13, Thunder 0. The clock would run out of the 3rd quarter with the score Bucs 13, Thunder 0.

Late in the 4th quarter the Bucs would score again by Shanna making the score 19 Bucs, 0 Thunder. This would end up being the final score of the game.

For the first game, of this sure to be annual rivalry, congratulations to the Bucs. I am sure that the Thunder will want to return the favor next year.