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Tri-County Citizen



Sports

PUBLISHED: Sunday, August 26, 2007
Tribe gridders salvage 12-7 win with late TD



CHESANING - Justin Sweeney's seven-yard TD run in the fourth quarter helped Chesaning's varsity football team overcome an evening of missed opportunities as the Indians pulled out a 12-7 nonleague season-opening victory against visiting Durand on Friday.

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"We dominated the first half and yet they score in the last minute of the half to take the lead into intermission," complained Indian Head Coach Jim Szappan. "We have plenty to work on, because we didn't capitalize on the chances we had. We were fortunate to win this game, because we played horrendously tonight."

Cody Darling had a fumble recovery on defense for the Indians and Jaxon Wirgau blocked a punt, but Chesaning turned the ball over twice in enemy territory in the first half to squander scoring opportunities. An interception and a loss of possession on downs cost the Indians dearly.

Sweeney put the Indians ahead with his three-yard TD run at 5:02 of the opening quarter. The two point conversion attempt failed and Chesaning clung to the 6-0 advantage until Durand's Jason Johnson fumbled into the end zone from two yards out with just 31 seconds to go in the first half. Offensive lineman Cody Wrenn pounced on the ball to knot the score at 6-6 and Grayson Lytle kicked the extra point to give the Railroaders the 7-6 lead heading into the lockerroom.

Despite a balanced offensive attack in which the Indians gained 153 yards on the ground and 101 yards through the air, Chesaning still couldn't score again until Sweeney finally capped a 71-yard scoring drive in the final stanza with a seven-yard jaunt to paydirt. The two-point conversion failed, but the home team hung on to escape with the 12-7 triumph.

Joe Bitterman led the Indians on offense, completing 10 of 17 passes for 101 yards and rushing for 59 yards on 19 carries. Bitterman's favorite targets were Cal Bishop, who hauled in three aerials covering 37 yards and David Hawes, who grabbed a pair of passes for 54 yards. Hawes also rushed for 48 yards on nine carries. Sweeney toted the ball five times for 29 yards enroute to his two touchdowns.

Mike Rowe spearheaded the Tribe defense with 11 tackles, supported by Jesse Maldonado who registered seven stops.

"I am absolutely not satisfied with our performance tonight. I know the weather was bad, but that's no excuse," concluded Coach Szappan. "Now we have a short week in which there is plenty to correct before we take on Shepherd."

The Indians will entertain Shepherd this Thursday in a TVC-Central showdown.





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