- kevin: go blue...
- kevin: go blue...
- bigD: Mrs. Portis-Easton.....
- Gloria portis-Easton: U R 2funny! U jst ke...
- bigD: I never stole your "...
- bigD: Uh...YEAH? lol....
PATRIOTS STOP THE CHOP…
The Port Huron High Big Reds have been a very successful program under the man who means business – Head Coach – Ryan Mullins ever since he began his coaching career at PH and with that in mind they never enter Week 1 of any season expecting to lose. As a result, when Warren Cousino came to Memorial Stadium on Friday Night and in fact topped PH – 33-20, it was obvious the hard working Big Reds were both shocked and flustered. And, knowing they have to go into Sterling Heights next week and get a much needed victory, it certainly won’t be easy. That’s the task that will face Justin Black and the Big Reds moving forward. That, and the thought that after Friday’s game, things can only get better and they’ll get at least ONE BREAK eventually…WON’T THEY? After 4 or 5 fumbles by Cousino that the Patriots jumped on and recovered, this game left me wondering… if bad luck is the only bit of luck that the Big Reds can get. Here’s how Friday Night’s game went…
As expected there was a huge crowd at Memorial Stadium. The Warren Cousino Patriots are one of the favorites to win the MAC WHITE (a higher rated division then the MAC BLUE, where the BIG REDS play). Everyone knew coming in that this was going to be a great team and a tough challenge for the Big Reds but I had to see this Patriot team to believe it. With offensive/defensive linemen at 6 ft. 7, 6 ft. 5 and 6 ft. 4 it would obviously be extremely difficult for the Big Reds to get a consistent pass rush on QB – Drew McGuire but as this game proved, it would be tough to stop such a big, physical offense, PERIOD. The 6 ft. 1, 225 pound Patriot FB – Tony Cross was the difference in the game. His numbers weren’t incredible or anything (10 carries for 59 yards) but the total rushing stat for Cousino in this one is absolutely mind blowing. Is it not obvious how Cousino got the victory when they racked up a whopping 305 rushing yards on 53 carries? That’s what you call using your big offensive linemen to your advantage. Size, blocking and Cross were the differences as the Big Reds simply couldn’t stop Cross when they had to. There were simply too many 3rd and short situations where the Big Reds had to make the stop on Cross and they didn’t. All the luck seemed to be on Cousino’s side. Cross fumbled the ball at least 3 times and either jumped on the ball and got it back each time or it was one of his teammates (Corey Dunaj) who would jump on it and scamper 30 plus yards for the TD. The Big Red Defensive Unit being tired might have had something to do with it as they were on the field for much of the game. Time of possession was clearly in Cousino’s favour. The Patriots had the last drive of the 1st half and went end to end with it…only to miss a field goal, giving the Big Reds 
some life at halftime trailing 13-7. When the Big Red offense was rolling they were on fire as demonstrated with a very impressive early TD drive in the 3rd quarter. The problem is that Cousino tended to make adjustments quickly and left the Big Reds in the dust. Port Huron seemed to suffer from not having a true running game. The Big Reds had 16 carries for 94 yards but most of it was Justin Black out of the Big Red backfield and PH didn’t get very much if anything from any RB. It’s true, Chris Tatti type RB’s don’t grow on trees, but it didn’t look like a solid RB even exists right now on the Big Red roster at all. This could spell DOOM as the season continues.
Justin Black looked very impressive for PH and he might yet just be the QB that everyone expected. Again, with the lack of a running game that PH had in this one, Black certainly had the chance to show it as he went 14 for 29 for 201 yards with 1 interception. Black threw a 4 yard TD to new WR – Tyler Rowbatham to get the Big Reds on the board in the 1st half. He also had a 49 yard rushing TD and actually had the Big Reds up 14-13 at that point in the 3rd. From there though, it was all Warren Cousino, particularly the Patriot defence and 6 ft. 5 LB – Corey Dunaj who continually forced the Black attack to ride the bench. In doing so it made the tired PH defence continue to keep taking the field and getting beat. The Big Reds had tackling issues all day long as far as I am concerned. After PH went up 14-13 at the mid-point of the 3rd quarter, Cousino scored 20 unanswered points. From there, the Big Reds got one more TD to give the fans something to cheer about as Black hit Dominic Schultz for a 24 yard screen pass TD. It was a great effort by Schultz who wasn’t going to be denied the end zone. Unfortunately for the Big Reds it was too little too late.
The Big Reds don’t have much time to regroup as they must travel to Sterling Heights for a tough MAC BLUE contest on Thursday Night. According to Big Red Head Coach – Ryan Mullins, the boys in red will “RECOVER.” I believe him. I also want to say what a pleasure it was to meet ex-BIG REDS – Trevor Baker and Chris Tatti (in my opinion he could just be the most talented OVERALL BIG RED player in history) in the booth after the game. Apparently they are fans of THE BIGD so thanks guys.
Stay focused in 2010 guys. THE WINS WILL COME!
NOTE: The above pictures were taken by the Port Huron Times Herald. In order from top to bottom… Alex Zmolik, Cory Hutchinson and Tahj King prepare to make a tackle, Mark Chapman and Jarrett Chapman.
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