VARSITY STALLIONS FALL SHORT IN DEFENSIVE BATTLE WITH MULTI -LAKES GATORS, 18-16

The Varsity Stallions (2-2) lost a tough battle to the Multi Lakes Gators on Sunday at Tom Holzer Field, 18-16.  The first quarter set the tone for the game with both sides struggling to hold onto the ball and make headway down the field.  The Stallion offense tried to get into Gator territory with runs by Shane Rankin and Brennon Pelland, but ultimately it was two key punts by Tyler Troyer that pushed the Gators back deep into their own territory.  The Stallion defense, led by strong stops by Jonathan Michalak, Alex Iafrate, Rankin, Pelland and Rami Al-Awadi held the Gators at bay and kept the score at 0-0 at the end of the quarter.

The start of the second quarter had the Stallion defensive line, led by Pelland and Rankin, locked in battle with the Gator offense again.  An interception by the Gators deep in Stallion territory resulted in the first touchdown of the game, but Jaquan Crawford blocked the extra point, leaving the score 6-0.  Seconds later, the Stallion offense answered with a 65 yd. run by Pelland into the end zone, punctuated by a 2-pt. extra point kick by Jake Moody, putting the Stallions ahead 8-6.  Defenders Jack Barnes and Ben Schmidt made key stops and held the Gators until the last moments of the quarter, when another Gator touchdown resulted in a halftime score of 12-8.

The Stallions returned in the second half determined to get back into Gator territory.  Key hits by Pelland and Troyer stopped the Gators and forced a fumble, setting up Stallion 2-back Michalak’s toss to Rankin resulting in a 45 yd. run into the end zone.  Moody’s extra points kick put the Stallion back into the lead, 16-12, but it was short-lived as the Gators scored on the kickoff return.  The Stallions blocked the extra point attempt again, leaving the score 18-16. The defensive struggled continued in the end of the third quarter and into the fourth, with the Stallions unable to break deep into Gator territory and score again in the game.

The Stallions regained possession with just :16 left in the game.   Michalak’s pass to Schmidt in the backfield and his 20 yd. pass to Troyer took the Stallions downfield and inside the Gator’s 30-yard line, but with only :08 left the Stallions were unable to make it back into the end zone.  The Stallions play next Saturday in Garden City against the Cougars.

By Maureen Schmidt