Wounded Archers beat Cadets 23-13

By Larry L. Stephens

The South Side Archers football team played without starting quarterback Greg Johnson and tailback T.J. Hill but after a slow start, they pulled off a 23-13 victory over the Concordia Cadets.

Johnson and Hill were out due to injury.

South came into the game with a 1-2 record and, the previous week, had their butts spanked by Bishop Luers, 41-zip. Concordia was also 1-2, but were riding high coming off a 34-7 victory over Wayne. Something had to give for these two teams.

It seemed like it had rained all day Friday before the contest and the Archers’ field was not in the best condition. The two teams traded possession of the ball most of the first quarter before Concordia’s quarterback Jake Owens scored a touchdown on a three-yard run late in the period. Owens’ score was set up by some fine running from senior running back Bobby Ross.

With the wet turf, neither team seemed to get any advantage. With less than two minutes left in the first half, the Archers’ backup quarterback Chris Hambrick tossed a five-yard TD pass to Xavier Easley to tie the game at seven all.

Hambrick had made his varsity debut against Luers and tossed two interceptions. In trying to find a worthy replacement for Johnson, Archers coach Mike Cheviron also used John Easley at the quarterback spot.

During halftime, coach Cheviron must have had his players go to longer cleats, because they outscored the visiting Cadets 13-0 in the third quarter. The Archers’ third period scoring got started when Rodrick Prince recovered an Owens fumble for a touchdown. The PAT was good to put South up 14-7. The South Side defense stepped up again, this time sacking Owens in the end zone for a safety, making it 16-7. The Archers were already being rude host and now rubbed the Cadets face in the mud. On the free kick after the safety, Xavier Easley went 90 yards on the return. Ryan Harding made his third extra point of the night to give South a 23-7 lead.

Concordia’s final score came in the fourth quarter when Owens connected with Daniel Fitzpatrick on a nine-yard pass play. Concordia put up a good fight in this game, but the Archers’ defense made the difference with a bend-but-don’t-break style of play. Concordia beat South in most offensive categories except the score.

My predictions for this week’s games:

• South Side (2-2) might have gotten lucky with the schedule since they have some key players hurt. The Archers hit the road this week to play a Wayne, 1-3 team that has lost three in a row. The Archers will make it four in a row for the Generals when they outlast Wayne in a close one 24- 21.
• Concordia (1-3) also gets a break in their schedule when they host Northrop (0-4) Concordia has a well-balanced offense that will pick the Bruins apart. Northrop has been on the skids for a long time and first year coach Greg Gehl will taste defeat one more time. Cadets 30 Bruins 14.
• Elmhurst (0-4) goes from the frying pan into the fire when Bishop Dwenger (4-0) pays them a visit. Last week, Snider took it easy on the Trojans. Don’t expect the Saints to do the same. Bishop Dwenger 45 Elmhurst 6.
• Snider (4-0) gets their first real test of the season when they host Harding (2-2) at Spuller Stadium. The Hawks were the first team to score against Luers last week, but don’t expect much more scoring against the Panthers. Snider’s four warm-up games will help them smash the Hawks 40-12.
• North Side (2-2) at Bishop Luers (4-0). This will be the game of the week. Last year, North gave Luers one of their four losses. Luers has only given up six points all season. North Side averages more than 24 points a game. Luers is on a mission as they take out North Side 28-12.

This is part of the September 17, 2008 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you. Click here.