HUSKY SENIORS GO OUT WINNERS

Posted by bigD | October 25, 2008 .

The Port Huron Northern Husky 5 game losing streak was over. They put an end to that last week in Fraser with a 22-0 romp over the Ramblers. On this final Husky game of 2008 and final one at Memorial Stadium for the seniors, it was all about sending off the soon to be graduates with a game they would always remember. With a 28-21 victory over the Lanse Creuse Lancers, that’s exactly what the Huskies did on Friday Night at Memorial Stadium in Port Huron. So they finished 4-5. So they won’t make the playoffs like the Big Reds. Last season they were a brutal 1-8 so anyone would take an improvement like that. But it’s obvious in having done play by play for many Northern games this season that they should have had a much better record. Stupid mistakes, penalties and turnovers were the recipe for Husky failure this season. NOT ON THIS NIGHT! This would be the evening where the Huskies showed what they really could do – win without stupid play and send the seniors home one last time with them being proud to be a Port Huron Northern Husky.

The game began with a gift touchdown for Northern as the Lancers went 3 and out. A bad snap for the punt on 4th down went way over the kickers head and he ended up jumping on it at the 2 yard line. From there, Ty Thomas took it in and before 2 minutes were off the clock it was already 7-0 Huskies. The game turned around from there though, as Lancer RB – Vincent Lombardo right it right down the Northern’s throat and why wouldn’t he? He was only 6 foot 2 and 230. His 60 plus yard scamper quickly tied the game and the Lancers punched in another one to make it 14-7. The Huskies tied the game before the half but it was clear the Huskies weren’t making enough tackles to win the football game. Most noticeable was the Lancer QB – Josh Batkins who ran the ball well all night long. The Huskies simply couldn’t stop him and if they were to win this football game they had to make adjustments at the half. That’s exactly what they did.

Batkins killed PHN on third and long plays all first half. When the Huskies finally did stop him they had to take advantage. Take advantage they did. A quick out to Andrew Zondlack for a huge touchdown in the 3rd quarter was probably the play that won the game for the Huskies despite the fact that they put another TD on the board as well. The Lancers answered but fell short in the end. The Huskies had done it! Northern Head Coach, Casey Kuscera got dumped with the cooler at the end of the game by his squad and although that probably didn’t feel very nice physically (it was COLD), it must have felt like warm bath water mentally. After all the heat Coach K has taken over his option system failures last season and the 5 game losing streak this year, it must be rewarding for him to see his team play so hard in the final 2 games of the year bringing Northern back to back victories for the 2nd time this season.

This was the best I’ve ever seen RB – Colby Brooks run the football. He went 22 for 146 in his smash-mouth style but he broke free several times and looked confident while doing it. Colby was a great senior. Indeed it will be difficult for the Huskies to say goodbye to a player like that. I thought S - Andrew Seppo had perhaps his best game defensively. This little guy always jumps up to make tackles, plays physical, aggressive and he’s always a factor on offense. At only 5 foot 5, he plays like he’s 6 foot 5. How about the play of Alex Zondlack? Primarily a LB on defense, Zondlack joined the offence on this night and produced perhaps the biggest play of the game in a 44 yard TD reception that completely blew away the Lancers. Zondlack was a special player for the last couple of years on this Husky team. Always a physical linebacker, I admired how intense he played and it was nice to see him have success as a WR on the final game of the year. Perhaps the best player on the Huskies – Joe Mathews went down with an injury and had to watch this one. Mathews was a tremendous player and he’ll most definitely be missed but the Huskies showed their true pride in being able to still find ways to win a couple of football games without their star player. That has to say something about the make-up of this team. Finally on Ty Thomas (14 carries for 88 yards / 1 for 2 for 44 yards passing). Although it’s difficult to say goodbye to all your seniors, it will be most difficult to let this kid go. Certainly the leader of this football team on and off the field, Thomas carried the Huskies through it all this season, made good decisions on offense and was always a leader for Coach Kuscera.

The Huskies finished the game with 248 rushing yards. The Lancers had 253 but it wasn’t enough. According to Coach Kuscera, “It’s beautiful to be able to run the football up and down the field. We had three disappointing games where we turned the ball over a lot. It was a great way for the team to go out and make a memory.” Make no mistakes about it Coach K. The Huskies made a memory alright. A memory the Northern fans won’t forget for some time. It was a pleasure calling play by play for the Husky seniors. Best of luck in the future! Despite the fact that this was as a season of losses, penalties, mishaps and/or turnovers, last night for one special evening, THE HUSKIES TRULY WERE ON THE PROWL!

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2 Comments so far

Jordan Kerr November 5, 2008 2:35 am

Thanks for the love for the Huskies this year….. This year was a disappointing season for me as a fan most of the players on the team are some of my best friends…. They were pretty upset with the record but are record will still be below average as long as Coach K is coach…. I mean I remember hearing you on the channel six making comments about the same plays we were running… Sometimes I felt like I could of coach that team better than he could… First off we are running the ball every play and that is all a defence needs to key up on… We don’t pass and when we did it work most of the time… And also another problem I had was having are quarterback playing defence, Dont get me wrong T-Tyme is a hell of a athelth but there is no way he could go both ways every series it was just stupid.. But thanks Big D for the time!!! LETS GET NASTY PORT HURON!!!
bigD November 7, 2008 3:04 am

Thanks again for writing in Jordan. It’s nice to know you guys watch the broadcasts and appreciate them. It let’s me know all the work isn’t for nothing.
I give love to the Huskies because the kids deserve it but you are right, sometimes its hard to call a game with boring playcalls. Joe Mathews bailed them out this season taking many receptions all the way and it’s good that he did because despite more scoring it is very basic playcalling from the Husky sidelines. The plays they run are 100% basic and very dull. You’re right about that however, the option system can work with the right personnel and timing, I just think Coach K has had more then enough time to properly install this system and it’s not working.
The coaching staff did add more variety to the offense this season but they had to. It seemed like it was more out of desperation to do so. Obviously, you need both the run and the pass in your offense. The option works as long as your plays have enough variety in them to throw off a defense. Clearly this did not happen and hasn’t forever.
As for Tyler Thomas playing both sides that just shows the kind of talent he really has. I had a BIG PROBLEM with him being the kick returner. A QB returning kicks? Are you serious? That is suicide. No wonder he was calling fair catches most of the time. I don’t get that and still don’t.
Thanks again for writing in Jordan. It’s always a pleasure. I also do some hockey, basketball and of course some baseball so watch for me and tell CPHS Channel 6 what you think of Big D good or bad. WE LOVE THE FEEDBACK! THE BIG D WILL RETURN FOR FUTURE GAMES. INDEED…LET’S GET NASTY!!!

HUSKY SENIORS GO OUT WINNERS

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