Hartford Indian Football 2011

Decatur (4-1) @ Hartford (4-1)

Game Time: 7:00 PM; Friday, September 30, 2011

Game Location: Indian Stadium

Head-to-Head: Decatur leads 26-23

By Web Staff
September 30, 2011

   Sometimes, the biggest judgment in character in athletic competition comes after a huge, suffering defeat.
   This week, the Indians will have an opportunity to prove that theory correct.
   Friday night, Hartford looks to rebound from their first loss of the season, as they host rival Decatur in a Southwestern Athletic Conference South Division game. The kickoff for game six of the season will commence at 7:00 PM at Indian Stadium.

TEAMS AT A GLANCE

Record:	4-1	4-1
Win %:	.800	.800
Scored:	191	110
Allowed:	103	58
Streak:	Lost 1	Won 4

The Indians come into the game this week at 4-1 overall and 0-1 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference South Division after losing a tough 27-24 decision to Lawton last Friday. The Indians led late in the game, but gave up a touchdown in the final three minutes.
The Indians were led by the passing attack, with Luke Traver going two-for-five for 101 yards and a touchdown. Gareth MacMillan and Jimmy Mullins had the two catches, MacMillan for a touchdown (70 yards). Sergio Perez led the rushing attack for 80 yards on 23 carries, while MacMillan had 75 yards on 14 carries.

   The defense struggled for the most part covering the pass, as they gave up 245 yards in the air. However, they did have some bright spots, as Tony Kucharski led the Indians with six tackles, while Jared Meachum and Noey Lopez added five tackles each.
   The Indians next opponent comes in the form of rival Decatur. The Raiders come into the game on Friday also sitting 4-1 following a 44-0 victory over Lawrence last Friday night. It was the fourth straight win for Decatur following a season opening loss at unbeaten Berrien Springs.
   The Raiders, offensively, are led by the pass attack this season, as quarterback Stephen Botti has thrown for 409 yards on 22-of-41 passing. Theo Rufo and Max Drenth are his favorite receivers, each having over one hundred yards on the season (Rufo: 120, Drenth: 103). The rush attack is led by Corey Olkowski, who has rushed for 179 yards on 39 carries and four touchdowns, while Kaleb Kolberg has rushed for 158 yards on 27 carries and four touchdowns.
   The Decatur defense appears big in the middle and is led by Nathan Gerhold, Anthonie Mortimore and Timothy Cerven, among others.
   The Indians need the crowd support again this week, especially coming off a heartbreaking loss last Friday night. Come on out and support the Varsity Indians this week!

NOTES: The Indian Junior Varsity team returns to the road this week on Thursday night in Decatur with kickoff set for 6:00 PM. The Indians are now 4-1 on the season after losing for the first time this season, 36-14, at Lawton last Thursday. The Junior Varsity will test out the new Raider Stadium confines Thursday. Hartford won last years matchup at Decatur, 30-8, which clinched the Indians playoff spot last season. Coach Dave Janicki is 4-1 in his career against Joe Groh, the coach in Decatur. The weather forecast for Friday night looks rather cool. The forecast is for dry conditions at game time, with temperatures around fifty at game time, then falling into the upper-forties at the end of the game. It will be rather cool, despite the outlook of light winds.