2004 Year in Review

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5th Grade Colts

5th Grade Colts Finish Regular Season 6 – 0

The 5th grade Morrison Jr. Tackle Colts defeated Rochelle 28 – 0 in their final game of the regular season on Saturday, September 25. The Colts played the game on their home field and their record is now 6 – 0.

The Colts started on defense. The Colts’ defense completely shut down Rochelle who was quickly three and out. Colts fans knew what to expect next. For the 5th game in a row, Brandon Neighbour scored a TD on Colts first offensive play of the game. He ran 65 yards untouched into the end zone. Brandon wears #35, and he is shown running downfield for this TD in the photo above. (Photo by Matt Tucker) Mark McDonnell delivered on the PAT. Morrison quickly led 8 –0.

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Rochelle now had the ball for their 2nd possession of the game. A good tackle by Matt McDonnell followed by tackles from Danny Dennehey, Brandon Belt, and Jeremy Brown ended Rochelle’s drive quickly.

Back on offense, Mark McDonnell galloped 40 yards to put the ball on Morrison’s 25-yard line. Quarterback Dennehey then fired a pass to Jacob Tegeler who carried the ball the final 25 yards for the TD. Morrison’s kick for the PAT was no good. The Colts were up 14 – 0.

The Colts’ defense stopped Rochelle again three and out, but Rochelle soon got the ball back on a Morrison fumble. Mark McDonnell, assisted by Seth Buckwalter, brought down a Rochelle runner just before the end of the first quarter. Dennehey, Zach Blasdell, and Neighbour all hit hard to keep Rochelle contained. Neighbour added another tackle, this time for a loss, to end Rochelle’s series.

The Colts tried to put the ball in the air on their next possession. But defense from Rochelle led to 2 incompletions. Neighbour then collected 12 yards on the ground for the 1st down. On the next play, Rochelle sacked Dennehey to set up 2nd and 25. But good play selection from Head Coach Bill Onken and good running from Neighbour and Mark McDonnell brought the ball downfield to Morrison’s 5-yard line. Luke Brands carried the ball in for the TD. Mark McDonnell added another good run for the PAT. Morrison led 22 – 0.

At the end of the 1st half, Matt McDonnell sacked Rochelle’s quarterback for a big loss to end their drive.

Head Coach Onken, Defensive Coach Larry Brown, and assistant coaches Hal Snyder and Dean Walters were able to get everyone some playing time in the 2nd half.

At the beginning of the 3rd quarter, Dan Crebo and Brands gained some yards with runs up the middle. Quarterback Tegeler handed off to Blasdell who got the first down and more on a 25 yard run. Morrison recovered their own fumble, but lost yards, on the next play. Blasdell added another 10 yard run, but the Colts were short of the first down.

Mark McDonnell, Kyle Heusinkveld, and Belt all had key tackles to end Rochelle’s next series and to end the 3rd quarter.

The Colt’s offense struggled a bit at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Rochelle sacked Tegeler and the Colts gained only a few yards on the next play. Coach Onken called for a pass play next. Quarterback Dennehey passed downfield to Neighbour who went 46 yards for the TD. The run for the PAT was short. The score of the game was now 28 – 0.

The Colts’ defense stopped Rochelle in three plays again to set up Morrison’s last series of the game. Tegeler carried the ball on the first play, and Crebo gained 22 yards on the following play. The Colts tried to pass, but with no receivers open, Tegeler kept the football and ran 36 yards for the TD as time expired on the game clock. However, there was a flag on the play against the Colts’ offense. The TD was called back. The final score of the contest was 28 – 0.

Coach Onken complimented Rochelle on their pass defense and the fact that they hit hard. He noted that the Colt’s defense played well again. Coach Onken is pleased with the 5th grade Colts good regular season and he is looking forward to tournament play. Worth noting here, it seems that Coach Onken was ‘all wet’ after the game. The team made a few more good tackles and was observed emptying the contents of the water cooler onto their coach after the game!

Matt McDonnell led the team in tackles with 6. Other tackles were as follows: Dennehey - 5 tackles, 2 assists; Mark McDonnell - 5 tackles; Belt - 3 tackles; Neighbour – 2 tackles; Brown – 1 tackle, 3 assists; Schaver – 1 tackle, 2 assists; Nelson – 1 tackle, 1 assist; Blasdell, Heusinkveld, Kuehl, Snyder and Tegeler all with 1 tackle each; Buckwalter and Crebo with 1 assist each.

Brandon Neighbour led the team in rushing yards with 4 carries for 84 yards, 1 reception for 46 yards, and 2 TDs. Other yards were as follows: Mark McDonnell – 6 carries for 65 yards and 2 PATs; Blasdell – 4 carries for 51 yards; Crebo – 2 carries for 28 yards; Tegeler - 1 reception for 25 yards and 1 TD; Brands – 5 carries for 13 yards and 1 TD. Dennehey was 2 for 4, passing for 71 yards.

The Colts will be in action again Saturday, October 2, for their first game of the 5th grade Jr. Tackle tournament. The game will be played at 10 am in Dixon with the specific location to be announced.

by larryg
2004-09-27 22:53:48