Week 5 Results

The HSFL continued their 2002 season on Sunday with a game scheduled to be played to 12 touchdowns. Team 1 entered the game with an immmediate disadvantage, after their rookie defensive stud Josh Coons, also Hobart High School's Varsity Center, suffered a foot injury during the Brickies' victory Friday night over the Wolves at Michigan City. Coons had all but shut down the patented Team 2 running game in the first two games of the season, and Team 2 saw the opportunity to get back to their trademark smashmouth style of play in Week 5.

The first half was a defensive struggle to say the least. Each team had to deal with several fumbles and interceptions in the early going, and the length of the half forced John Allendorf out of the game due to job responsibilities with Team 2 ahead 4-2. He was quickly replaced by Matt Glover, however, and Team 1 was still in good shape. The Team 1 offense finally got back in gear and took a 6-5 lead into the half.

In the second half, Team 2 utilized their run game more than they had early on, with Jeff Renn looking like the Renn of last year, dominating on the ground, but Team 1 managed to take a 11-10 lead late into the game. With both teams very tired due to the length of the game and the heat, the turning point may have came when Kyle Gonzales threw a pass intended for Ryan Geib that should have been intercepted, but went off the hands of Bob Glover falling incomplete. Had Team 1 got the ball back, they may have been able to finish off their opponents, but instead Team 2 capitalized and eventually picked up their second win in three games by a score of 14-12.

Team 1 looked good at times during the game, but also very bad at others. Their run defense held their own, considering the loss of their star run stopper, but it was just not quite the same. Josh Neace did a good job leading the defensive charge for Team 1 and added 5 touchdowns, a touchdown pass, and an interception. Bob Glover answered the questions surrounding his confidence by coming back with a solid outing in Week 5. Glover did not play his best game, and his receivers were also bad from time to time, making it difficult to get any kind of consistency going on offense. Glover threw for 10 touchdowns, ran in one, and had two key interceptions, both inside the endzone to end Team 2 drives. Clyde Neace continued to prove that he has a bright future in the HSFL, helping his older brother stop the Team 2 running game, and scoring 3 touchdowns. Chris Hott continued playing well on defense for Team 1, helping the run defense and adding yet another interception to his season total. Hott dropped several passes on offense, and needs to be more consistent for Team 1 to step up to the next level. Matt Glover looked good, but showed up half way into the first half and leaving at half time. He scored 2 touchdowns in his limited time and continues to prove that if he plays full time, he could be one of the league's best. John Allendorf made his return after announcing his retirement 4 weeks ago, and caught some big passes before he was forced to leave. John Berlin showed signs of finally finding a niche in the Team 1 offense as a blocking back, but his lack of physicality on the defensive side of the ball is wearing thin on the patience of his teammates. He scored a touchdown in the game.

Team 2 may have got away with a stolen victory in Week 5, showing that they can win some close games which is the mark of a good team. Team 1 had opportunities to win, but Team 2 stood strong and came through in the end. Jeff Renn looked dominant for the first time all season on the ground, scoring 5 touchdowns and carrying the Team 2 offensive load. After a breakout game in Week 3, second year Quarterback Kyle Gonzales threw for 10 touchdown passes, but also 4 interceptions, showing signs that he is still a little rough around the edges. The 2001 touchdown leader Mike Arana ran well to compliment Renn and added 5 touchdowns of his own and a sack while applying good pressure to Glover. Rookie Justin Sawicki, with controversy constantly swirling around him, played another solid game in Week 5, scoring 4 touchdowns and playing good defense both on receivers and pressuring Glover. Neither Ryan Geib nor Jake Cleek registered a stat for their team in Week 5, but both contributed positively to the Team 2 cause.