MCC
tops Onekama, snaps skid in marathon game
Posted by Matt Wenzel, Manistee News Advocate
September 21, 2012
ONEKAMA — For Manistee Catholic Central, the wait was worth it.
In a lightning-delayed game that took almost four hours
to complete, the Sabers prevailed 22-13 on Friday night to spoil
Onekama’s homecoming and snap a three-game losing streak.
“It was an extremely big win,” said MCC coach Dave
Russell. “You come to the point where you almost become Thomas the
Doubter — I don’t know if we can win. We really needed this. All of a
sudden, the practices are a little easier.”
Trailing 13-8 at halftime, MCC (2-3, 1-1 WMD) controlled
the line of scrimmage and used the running game en route to the final 14
points of the game and a West Michigan D League win against Onekama
(1-4, 0-1 WMD).
“I give Catholic credit,” said Onekama coach Jim Hunter.
“They played very physical up front and did a good job.”
After not carrying the ball the last two games because of
an ankle injury, MCC’s Alex Carter turned in a big performance with 27
carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns.
“It was nice to see him back,” Russell said. “He did an
excellent job.”
Onekama opened the scoring with a 32-yard touchdown run
by senior Quinn Matthews as he broke a couple tackles and got through
the middle of the defense on a play Hunter called “a great individual
effort.”
Matthews had five carries for 56 yards and three catches
for 62 yards. |
The extra point by Bryson Waller put Onekama ahead 7-0
with 4:44 left in the first quarter.
MCC responded with a 5-yard touchdown run by quarterback
Ben Feliczak, who got his first varsity start under center. He also ran
in the 2-point conversion for an 8-7 lead with 11:53 left in the second
quarter.
Feliczak finished with 11 carries for 28 yards and was
4-for-7 passing for 80 yards and two interceptions.
After a MCC fumble, Onekama quarterback Tyler Johnson
scored on a 1-yard run as Onekama led 13-8 with 5:13 left in the first
half. Johnson had 17 carries for 34 yards and was 7-for-18 passing for
77 yards.
MCC was driving late in the half when lightning was
spotted in the distance at 7:50 p.m. The game was delayed until 9:05 and
the homecoming festivities canceled before play resumed with 1:13 left
in the second quarter.
The Sabers eventually turned the ball over on downs
before the half, but scored on their first possession of the second half
as Carter ran one in from a yard out for the 14-13 lead.
Onekama’s Nick Streeter suffered a neck injury trying to
recover a MCC onside kick in the third quarter and had to be taken off
the field on a backboard and into an ambulance. Hunter said Streeter had
feeling in his extremities and thinks he will be OK.
MCC padded its lead on a 13-yard touchdown run by Carter
and Feliczak added the 2-point run for a 22-13 lead with 9:18 to play.
The Sabers eventually killed the clock, which expired at 10:58 p.m.
“Their offensive line controlled the second half,” Hunter
said. “They didn’t have to get crazy with it.”
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