Newberry at Rudyard - Game 2

Ash-boy blocking-out on offense.

Newberry at Rudyard

36 Newberry – 8 Rudyard

First half was a nail-biter. The kids were hitting hard the whole game. It was dirty sportsmanship back and forth for the first little while. It got better, but never truly stopped. They were pushing, shoving while getting up, late hitting and gang-tackling at ever opportunity The kids truly hate each other. These kids will be playing against each other their whole jr high and high school years. So hopefully it gets better or we are looking at some knockout dragout games in the years to come.

Rudyard made strong drive using a lot of clock on their first possession. We had some kind of error on D and their runningback blew up through the middle for a huge rush from mid-field down left side to about the 1-yard line. Our left corner came from the right side of the field and angled the play and ran down the rusher. (I know it sounds all messed up, but basically the cross-field corner ran all the way across the field, never gave up hope, and dove and grabbed the rusher’s foot, thus tripping him at the 1.) This was the little guy I was talking about from last week’s game that was just too short to match-up against Cedarville’s receiver. We pushed them back every play until they were on their 4th down. They were about 4th down 8 and goal. They threw a pass just beyond the goal line for the TD. They went on and made the 2-point conversion.

Newberry 0 – Rudyard 8

Our first play with the ball they stopped our QB for a slight loss. And after the whistle the defender jumped bodily on the QB again and punched him while getting off of him. The 1st string QB rolled around on the field for a few min crying while the coaches coddled him and were finally successful at getting him up. He had to sit out for a few plays until he got his wind back. The Ref didn’t call the un-sportsmanlike behavior. We then made a long drive down to their 2-yard line or so, lasting into the start of the 2nd quarter. It was 4rd and goal. One of our big guys and team captain named Marcus (not Ash-boy) blatantly kicked a player after the play. We got called for a 15-yard penalty, making it 4th and 17 to go. We turned the ball over on downs.

Next possession we stopped their drive and got the ball back. We made it to their 35-yard line with 18 seconds left in the half. We decided to go for a pass play. The QB sweeps to the right. The offensive line keep the defenders back giving the QB time to work, but Rudyard was ready for the pass and he didn’t have anyone open to throw to. So he tucks the ball and starts running towards the End Zone. The line and backs make some great blocks and the QB zigs, zags, spins, and stiff-arms his way to the End Zone. Cheers from our section. It was a super play on everyone’s part. A busted play that turned into a TD. Kind’a like a big blind special. (Hey I wrote something about poker in my Poker blog.) Ash-boy helped open a 1-hole and the 2-point conversion turns into the equalizer. Half Time.



Half Time Newberry 8 – Ruyard 8.
Early in the 3rd our little corner that could intercepts a wobbly pass and runs it 40 yards into the End Zone. We make the 2-point conversion.

We stuff their next drive no giving up but one 1st down. The coach goes ahead and sits all the starters and puts in the 2nd string. The other coach is pissed, because usually teams wait for the 4th quarter for scrub-time, but complies and takes out his big guys also. We go down and score and make the 2 again also.

On the Kickoff the opposing player picks up the ball and it is bobbling it around in his arms not quite in control when our guy smacks into him from the front. The kicker (Marcus. Not only does he kick kids he also is our kicker) and 2nd guy down the field picks up the fumbled ball and goes in for a TD. But wait, they call it back. The Ref says that there is some crazy-ass rule where on Special Teams there isn’t allowed any advancement on a turnover. What rulebook he reads from, I don’t know. But whatever. They take the points away but we get the ball on the 30 or so. We put together some nice plays and score again. We fail to make the 2 point conversion and the score stands at 30 to 8.

Defense plays well again and offense takes over on downs. We then top the score off on our last drive of the game and make another TD. No 2-point C again.

Final score Newberry 36 – Rudyard 8.



Ash-boy stopping the rush.

Ash-boy once again played excellent offensively and on defense. He along with the other linesman played a great game, opening huge holes for the backs and protecting the QB with a giant blocking wall. Ash-boy did quite well against that big kid #58 on this meeting. Bigboy only got past he twice all game, and even I can’t ask anymore out of him than that. On offense he was formidable. He was opening holes and then was taking out a linebacker consistently. I was glowing with pride.

The Newberry boys’ record 2 – 1 – 1. Newberry 2 - Rudyard 0

Next 2 games will tell the tale. Cedar is still undefeated. Brimley we tied and play on Monday. Now that I think about it our kids hate all these teams’ players. Side note: Our Head Coach wasn’t at the last Brimley game and wasn’t at practice all week before the Cedarville game. So I have high hopes when next we meet these teams because our Head Coach knows his shit. This is the youngest of the school Football programs and is the only Newberry team with a winning record. The coach emphasized this point to the boys the end of Friday’s practice. He told them that the home team stands would be packed and they had to perform for home crowd that is coming to support their Newberry team. The kids had a look of pride and steely determination imbued in their eyes as the huddled together and then raised their arms in unison to the shout of Indians, Indians, Indians. Boy I love reliving my childhood through my kids’ actions.

Till Brimley, good luck, and though I’ve been horribly busy lately, maybe we’ll meet at the tables.