|
-Indians drop tough loss to Sheehan in season opener -
The season opener saw the Guilford Indians travel up to Wallingford to face the Sheehan Titans. Behind senior quarterback Brett Biestek, Sheehan looked to be a formidable opponent for the visiting Indians. Sheehan started the game with their no huddle offense, and promptly drove 70 yards in 12 plays, scoring on the opening drive. This looked to be a long night for Guilford. In fact the first quarter would see the Titans score 13 unanswered points. But while the scoreboard wouldn’t show it, the Guilford Indians defense came to play. The second quarter started with both teams going three and out on their first possessions. And just when Sheehan started to move the ball on their second possession with a 30 yard center screen pass play. Will Stitilis decided that HE wanted the ball on the next play, and thought that picking off a 30 yard pass would do the trick. So he did. Although the Indians weren’t able to convert the turn-over into points, notice was served. Guilford was here to play football. In fact, on Sheehan’s next possession, Stitilis nearly picked it again. Narrowly stepping out of bounds in the process, negating the back-to-backer. Although a touchdown wasn’t in the cards for the Titans on this series, they would settle for a field goal, making the score 16-0 with 4:50 left in the first half. Guilford’s ensuing possession would see Tony Serra discover a chink in Sheehan’s armor, over the left side of the line. A route that showed promise toward more Guilford yards. Unfortunately the turn-over gremlins reared their ugly head, with a Sheehan interception which was followed by a 44 yard TD pass into the end zone. With but 3:49 left in the first half, Sheehan would go up 22-0. Yet the Indians would keep fighting. On the following kick off, John Loricco launched a mighty 44 yard kickoff return that announced that “Yes” the special teams had come to play too. Tony Serra resumed his assault over the left side, rumbling for 15 additional yards. But Brendan Six wanted some of the action too, so he hauled in a 20 yard pass from Ethan Curry on the next play. But the elusive momentum was not to be, with Guilford turning the ball over on downs. Following a Sheehan punt capped series, the Indians took the ball over with less than a minute left in the half. But even in a no-huddle “hurry up” offense, Guilford ended the half, down 22-0.
What ever Coach Tom Unger had to say to the Indians in the lock room at halftime, clicked. Guilford was indeed a team ‘on a mission’. On Guilford’s first possession of the third quarter, Tony Serra continued his personal assault over the left side of the Indians line. And having endured a trying first half, Ethan Curry decided to take matters into his own hands. With 8:16 left in the third quarter, capping a 70 yard drive, Curry scampered into the end zone for Guilford’s first score of the night. Unfortunately the Titans were not done yet, with their first series of the second half ending in a 30 yard fade route into the end zone to Sheehan wideout Cassius Snipes; for a 29-7 lead. But Guilford’s special teams play appeared again, with a 30 yard kick-off return. Yet again, Tony Serra knifed through the left side of the line for more additional Guilford yardage. But a Sheehan interception ended the party, with a 70 yard return to ‘the house’. With 1:08 left in the third quarter, Sheehan went up 36 - 7. At this point, no one could blame the Indians if they decided to pack it in, now down by four scores. But they didn’t, Guilford dug in and played football. The Indians first drive of the fourth quarter resulted in a 20 yard Tony Serra touchdown. The Guilford ’D’ stopped the Titans, and took the ball over on downs. And Will Stitilis wasn’t done yet. After driving down the field, Stitilis hauled in a 25 yard Ethan Curry strike, to make the score 36 -21 with 7:31 remaining. Though the scoring was done, the Guilford defense had one more message to send. After driving the length of the field, and poised to score again on 3rd & goal, Brendan Six had had enough; dropping the Sheehan running back for a key 6 yard loss. The Titans field goal attempt on fourth down, fell short. When the dust settled, Guilford had outscored Sheehan 21-14 in the second half. The Indians fought back, these kids got guts.
|
