Blackhawks scrimmage ‘frustrating’
Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Blackhawks varsity entertained the visiting Cedarville Pirates in a season opening scrimmage Monday night, but failed to entertain second-year head coach Mark Laster. Mistakes and a lack of timing completely stymied the 'Hawks as they fell 20-7 to the Pirates as they were outgained roughly 350 yards to 250, with 96 of the 'Hawks yards coming in 44- and 52-yard passing plays from Kip Kelly to Corey Trevathan and Denver Bell, respectively. Pea Ridge gained their yardage in a balanced way with a little over 50 percent of their yards coming on the ground. "While we did have a couple of big plays," Laster remarked," we had no offensive consistency, and you have to have that to be successful. We have some things to work on before we start the real season, things like better pass blocking, getting our timing right. "While the 'Hawk offense didn't do much in the opening period (16 yards on 11 plays ), the Pea Ridge defense bent but didn't break as they stopped the Pirates three times in 'Hawk territory via recovering fumbles caused by the defense attack. When the Pirates were threatening the 'Hawks early in the game, Colton Fralin blew in to cover a loose pigskin on the Pea Ridge 18-yard line.
After holding the 'Hawks on their second series, Cedarville again mounted a drive and were at the 'Hawks doorstep, close to a first down on the Pea Ridge 11. Dakota Ricketts snuffed out the Pirates' chances with a fumble recovery on the 10-yard line.
The 'Hawks third fumble recovery set Pea Ridge up on the Cedarville 48 early in the second quarter, where - sparked by runs of 4 yards and 3 yards by Denver Bell and an 8-yard pass from Kelly John Hall - they took advantage by driving to the Pirates 28. A 'Hawk interception on forth and one blocked the threat from reaching the end zone.
The 'Hawks meant to blow the Pirates back on their ensuing possession, led by a charging Cameron Thompson who fought off a string of Pirates blockers to turn a running play into a big loss. The heroics went for naught: Two plays later, a Pirates tailback ran through and around the 'Hawks to dash 65 yards and a 7-0 lead with 4: 53 left in the first half.
The turn of events inspired the 'Hawks to get rolling. After a 4-yarder by Tyler Ramsey, Kelly hooked up with Bell for a 52-yard gainer to set the 'Hawks up first and 10 on the Pirates 30. A 9-yard dance by Kelly and a 5-yard smash by Ramsey set the 'Hawks up in great position, first and 10 on the Cedarville 16. Two plays later, the threat evaporated when a misconnection occurred between the 'Hawk backs, leading to a fumble that went the Pirates way. On second down from their own 14, a Pirates back ran through the 'Hawks defense, picking up 86 yards and another touchdown, boosting Cedarville's lead to 13-0 at the half.
After holding the Pirates to start the second half, a poor punt by the visitors gave Pea Ridge field position at the Cedarville 29. A five-yard run by Andrew Woolard, six- and seven-yard runs by V. J. Wilson, and a fiveyard pass from Brandon Easterling to Scott Fisher gave Pea Ridge a first down on the Pirates 10. Woolard rushed for five yards on first down, then punched it through for five more and a touchdown. Thompson's kick cut the Pirate lead to 13-7 with 7: 23 left in the third quarter.
Neither team could mount a threat through the end of the third quarter and well into the fourth. After taking over on the Cedarville 41 with 6: 05 left in the game, Pea Ridge gained big yards on five straight plays to drive to the shadow of the Pirates goal post. Ramsey ran for six, with Kelly following that with a 15-yard run, while Bell bounced up the middle for sixand nine-yard runs as Pea Ridge was on the Cedarville 16, down only six points with two minutes left in the game. Three straight busted plays preserved the lead as the Pirates took over on downs. A 67-yard run on first down gave the Pirates a first down on the 'Hawk two-yard line and they were in the end zone on the next play to put the game out of reach.
The 'Hawks are in action a week from Friday at home in a nonconference game with Elkins.
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