BULLDOGS GROUND EAGLES

In one of the more anticipated non-conference matchups in the area, old Cahokia Conference rivals the Waterloo Bulldogs and the Columbia Eagles locked up for an exciting evening of prep football action. It was almost a playoff like atmosphere as the two neighboring communities came together for what proved to be another classic contest between the two schools.  The Bulldogs came away with the victory 24-17 in an exciting, hard fought contest.  Waterloo Bulldogs Coach Dan Rose said afterward, “That was a great game to watch. I wish I could have watched it. The Columbia Eagles are a fine football team and this could have gone either way tonight.  But were happy to get the victory”

After the Columbia defense held the Bulldogs early in the first quarter the Eagles took to the air, using their passing game, to mount an impressive early drive and score the first touchdown on a 2 yard strike from quarterback Tanner Hall to receiver Wilson Babb with 5:10 left in the first quarter.  Hall added the extra point to put the Eagles up 7-0.  The drive was highlighted by a 19 yard pass from Tanner Hall to Kyle Stumpf on a 4^th and 2 at the Bulldog 24 to set up the score.  After a three and out by the Bulldogs the Eagles took to the air again making their way quickly downfield.  But the Bulldog defense held and the Eagles had to settle for a Tanner Hall 24 yard field goal making the score 10-0 with 1:23 left in the first quarter.

The tide began to turn for the Bulldogs late in the first quarter.  A 30 yard kickoff return by Tyler Fickas after the Columbia field goal gave the Bulldogs excellent field position at their own 40 yard line.  Then the Bulldog rushing attack took over.  The combination of Tyler Fickas, Zach Laidley and Tim Kassebaum was proving problematic for the Eagles defense.  The Bulldogs worked their way downfield running inside and outside with effective play calling that kept the Eagles defense off balance.  On a first and goal at the Eagles one yard line Tyler Fickas punched through for the Bulldogs first touchdown.  Aaron Aycock added the extra point making 10-7 Eagles with 10:59 remaining in the second quarter.  After the Bulldog defense stopped the Eagles on their ensuing possession and forced them to punt, the Bulldogs began a methodical, 89 yard, time consuming drive keyed by two crucial third down conversions and culminating in an 8 yard touchdown run by Tyler Fickas made possible in part by an excellent fake by quarterback Tim Kassebaum.  Aaron Aycock added the extra point to make it 14-10 Bulldogs with 1:24 left in the half. On the Eagles next possession the Bulldogs’ Tim Kassebaum intercepted a Tanner Hall pass giving the Bulldogs the ball at the Eagle 27 yard line with 1:02 left in the half.  After a big pass play from Tim Kassebaum to Nick Scott who broke two tackles and went out of bounds at the Eagle five yard line, the Bulldogs had another opportunity with 8.1 seconds left in the half.  But the Eagles’ Robbie Gonzalez intercepted a Tim Kassebaum pass in the end zone giving the Eagles the ball at their own 20 yard line with 4.0 seconds left in the half.  Tanner Hall then took a knee for the Eagles ending the half 14-10 Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs took possession to begin the second half but a combination of Bulldog penalties and timely defense by the Eagles forced them to punt at the 9:07 mark in the 3^rd quarter.  Beginning at their own 30 yard line the Eagles put together a fine drive highlighted by a couple of key 3^rd down conversions and culminating in a 19 yard touchdown pass from Tanner Hall to Billy Haag on a 4^th and 6 play. Hall added the extra point and the Eagles took the lead back 17-14 with 5:47 left in the third quarter.  Coach Rose said, “When we didn’t score at the end of the first half I felt the momentum shift in Columbia’s favor.  I think if we had scored there we may have been able to do better on that first drive in the 3^rd quarter.  But they stopped us and took the ball down and scored on us.” But on the Bulldogs next possession they began another monster drive beginning at their own 19 yard line.  The combination of Fickas, Laidley and Kassebaum was becoming more effective as the Bulldogs ran and passed their way down the field until they found themselves with a 1^st and goal at the Eagles 5 yard line.  After a couple of short runs quarterback Tim Kassebaum took it in on a 3^rd and goal at the one yard line.  Aaron Aycock added the extra point making it 21-17 with 11:55 left in the 4^th quarter.  Coach Rose stated, “That took some guts to come right back after they scored on us. You’ve got to credit our line. Our line is playing better.  All six of our guys there are replacing last year’s starters.  Our left Guard Seth Seymour deserves player of the game.  He did a great job tonight.”

The Eagles continued their passing attack in the fourth quarter but it seemed like the Bulldogs were beginning to get more pressure on the quarterback.  On a third and 5 at the Eagle 38, Bulldogs senior linebacker Nate Marchwinski broke through to sack Tanner Hall for a loss with 10:40 left in the game.  Coach Rose said, “We made a few adjustments at halftime, but they did too.  They were running that crossing pattern and we were trying to be a little more aggressive with the pass rush and that put our linebackers in a catch22.  But our guys came through.  Our sophomore Austin Shrock made some nice plays in the 4^th quarter.”  After an excellent return of a deep Tanner Hall punt by the Bulldogs’ Dalton Kaufmann, the Bulldogs offense took over at their own 28 yard line with 10:07 left in the game.  The Bulldogs then resumed their running attack with the partnership of Kassebaum, Laidley and Fickas.  Coach Dan Rose said, “That’s the thing about the Wing T, you’ve got to defend three gaps one in the middle and two on opposite sides.  And when you’ve got three talented backs it’s hard to stop.” The Bulldogs found themselves at the Eagle 21 yard line with a 3^rd and 7 but could not convert as Kassebaum was penalized as he crossed the line of scrimmage before passing the ball.  After an incomplete pass on the next play the Bulldogs scored on a 43 yard field goal by Aaron Aycock on 4^th and 11 to make it 24-17 Bulldogs with 5:57 left in the game.  After the kickoff the Eagles came back passing, working their way to the 50 yard line.  On a 1^st and 10 with Tanner Hall in shotgun formation the center snapped the ball over Hall’s head and the quarterback fell on the ball saving the turnover.  Now 2^nd and 21 from their own 29 it became obvious that Eagles quarterback Tanner Hall’s left arm is injured.  After an incomplete pass and an Eagle timeout the Eagles faced a 3^rd and 21 from their own 29 with 4:18 left in the game.  Eagles quarterback Tanner Hall dropped back to pass and was sacked by a number of Bulldog defenders making it 4^th and 31 from the Eagle 19 yard line.  After another excellent punt by Tanner Hall the Bulldogs took possession at their own 24 yard line.  After two running plays for a couple of yards the Bulldogs were faced with a 3^rd and 8 at their own 26 yard line.  The Bulldogs gained five yards on a shovel pass from Kassebaum to Fickas but were flagged for holding.  The Eagles declined the penalty and immediately called timeout with 2:02 left in the game.  On a 4^th and 3 at their own 31 the Bulldogs’ Aaron Aycock punted the ball 52 yards to give the Eagles 1^st and 10 at their own 18 yard line with 1:48 left in the game.  The Eagles’ Brad DeMoulin was now in at quarterback for the injured Tanner Hall. After an incomplete pass on first down DeMoulin connected with Kyle Breitenstein for an 8 yard pickup making it 3^rd and 2 at their own 26 yard line.  Clayton Revelle then took it up the middle for an Eagle first down at the Eagle 37 yard line.  After two incomplete passes on 1^st and 2^nd down it was 3^rd and 10 for the Eagles at their own 37 yard line with 58 seconds left in the game.  DeMoulin was then intercepted by Brett Marsala who returned the interception to the Eagle 14 yard line with 48 seconds remaining.  Kassebaum then took a knee on first and second down to run the clock out. Bulldogs win, 24-17.

Waterloo continues their non-conference schedule next week traveling to Carbondale in a battle of the dogs.  The game is Friday, September 11^th at 7:00 p.m. in Carbondale.  Columbia begins their Cahokia Conference schedule with another rivalry game as the Eagles host the Dupo Tigers next Friday, September 11^th at 7:00 p.m.

September 5, 2009

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