By: Red Russo The Lincoln-Way Patriots scored 51 points on Saturday 8/22/2009 to beat the Indiana Titans in Mid States Football League Play. The Patriots are a first year Semi-Pro Football Team and have produced seven victories in a row to insure home field advantage throughout the MSFL playoffs.
WR, Nate McCullom opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 25 yard TD pass from QB, Mike Strimel. Mike was accurate and completed 7 of 14 passes for 164 yards and only played three quarters.Later in the 1st quarter the defense provided the Patriots with the second opportunity to score and RB, Steve Strimel, ran in the TD and the score was 13-0 at the end of the 1st Quarter of play. In the 2nd quarter Steve scored again on a 23 yard counter play. He only carried the ball four times for 48 yards and two scores and was rested for most of the game. The half-time score was 20-0 and the Defense set a goal to preserve the shut out and score against the Titans in the second half. Early in the 3rd quarter the Defense got their score by returning a punt for a TD. Return man and FS, Marzell Green caught the ball and followed a stream of blockers for a sizzling 70 yard broken field run. The shut out never occurred because the Titans rallied to score on a TD pass making the score 27-7. The patriot offense responded with a drive ending in a 37 yard field goal by veteran placekicker, Tom Van Anrooy who was accurate on 6 of 7 extra points and the field goal. The 4th quarter saw the Titans put together a 36 yard drive to make the score more respectable at Patriots 30, Titans 14. Ed O’Reilly came in at QB for Mike Strimel and managed the game. Mixing up the pass and run, O’Reilly moved the ball setting up a 57 yard TD run by RB, Luke Jackson. With the advantage of protecting a 23 point lead, the Defense went into action forcing the Titans to pass on almost every down. Defensive Back, Robert Nichols intercepted a pass on the Titan 42 yard line and scored. One of the Defensive goals was to score on defense and it was accomplished twice against the Titans. With the score 44-14 the Patriots were set on running the football. QB, O’Reilly, did hit a long pass to WR, Joe Strimel but was more focused on leading a ground attack. RB, Vergil Talbert, led all rushers with 12 carries for 74 yards and a TD. On his last touch of the football he scored on a 25 yard run which made the final score, Patriots 51, Titans 14. The defense played a great game with LB’ers Eric Zinzer and Ty Radke leading in tackles and each had two passes defended. Outside LB. Phil Washington intercepted a pass to end a strong drive by the Titans. LB, Jelani Sutton played well pursuing Titan plays to the strong side. FS, Marzell Green had two interceptions ending Titan drives and SS, Paco Villa came up to support the run with 5 solo tackles. Both corners, Will Long and Robert Nichols shut down Titan Receivers all evening. Line coaches, Andre Holland and Lester McDonald used 10 different defensive linemen in the game to keep up defensive pressure on every down. On offense coach Holland had the offensive line blocking hard all evening. Tackles, Ryan Winterfeld and Jerome McCullor along with guards JP Caroll and Dominic Angeloni and center John Falconio knocked Titan defenders off the football and controlled the line of scrimmage. Defensive linemen John Anderson, Eddie Riley, Justin Zenere, Joe Button, Tony Wisniewski, Kevin Gricius Hank Wisniewski and Andrew Short controlled the line of scrimmage defensively. DE, Short saw action as a TE on offense but excelled as a pass rusher all night. Defensive Coordinator, Silvio Bartolo challenged the defense to play well and got his result with the defense scoring two TD’s on the punt and interception returns. Although the Patriots hold the home field advantage they are ready to travel to Indianapolis this Saturday. 8/29/2009. The Indianapolis Stampede is a strong opponent and the Patriots are again challenged by their coaches to continue to peak and play well. The first playoff game will be held on September 12, 2009 with the most probable opponent, the Kankakee Plowmen. Patriot games are played at Lincoln-Way East HS.