Onekama drops Game
1 to Hart
FROM Manistee News Advocate
Published:
Saturday, August 28, 2010
HART — Onekama was the first to strike
Friday night against Hart.
But, it was the Pirates who sealed the deal, topping the Portagers
30-18 in the season opener.
“It was a tough game,” said Onekama coach Jim Hunter. “It was really
a tight game too. I don’t think the final score reflects that.”
After senior quarterback Rease Heiler connected with Adrian Norman
on a hitch-and-go in the first quarter to go up 6-0, Hart took a
lead in response with a score and a two-point conversion. Although
Onekama kept it close, the Pirates never gave the advantage back.
Hart had a 14-6 edge at the half, and a
22-18 lead heading into the final quarter.
“When it was 22-18, we were one score
away from taking the lead,” Hunter said of the margin down the
stretch. “We’ve got a lot of young kids, and I thought they hung in
there and really gave it all they could. I’m not disappointed with
the effort.”
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Heiler went 3-for-4 with 50 yards and a
touchdown, while Norman, along with 50 receiving yards, scored again in
the third quarter on a 70-yard interception he took to the house.
The Portagers struggled a bit on the ground,
but special teams converted for a score in the third as Tyler Fogarty
returned a punt to the end zone.
Defensively, Fogarty led in tackles with 20 while Jared Miller had 15.
“The most important part of the year is the first, or second game for us
now,” Hunter said. “We’ve got a lot of stuff to work on. But, some of
the stuff will be quick fixes.
“Other than that, we have to be a little more physical, and that will
have to come with time,” he added. “Tonight, our younger kids got to see
what the pace up here is.”
And, already focused on the next contest, Hunter said the team will have
to regroup before hosting Vestaburg next week in the Portagers’ home
opener.
“We’ll adjust,” he said. “And look to right the ship quickly.”
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