Hartford Indian Football 2011

Varsity Indians Suffer Second Straight Defeat, 12-7, to Rival Decatur

By Web Staff
September 30, 2011

Hartford	0	7	0	0	7
Decatur	0	12	0	0	12

STAT LEADERS:

Rushing: Mireles, Hartford, 139 Yards

Passing: Traver, Hartford, 55 Yards

Tackles: Gerhold, Decatur, 15 Tackles

   Hartford was looking to rebound from a week five loss and Decatur was looking to win for the second time in three games against the Indians.
   Decatur got the last laugh, unfortunately.
   In a battle of defenses, Decatur was able to crack Hartford's twice, while holding Hartford to just seven points in a dramatic 12-7 stand in Hartford, handing the Indians their second straight loss.
   The first quarter was a battle of defenses, as neither team scored in the first period.
   The best scoring drive potential came from the visiting Raiders, who using great runs and costly Indian penalties, got it to the Indians one yard line. However, the Raiders fumbled, the Indians recovered and the drive was over.
   The Indians only note worthy drive of the first came after the fumble, as the Indians drove to midfield, but were stopped there and forced to punt.
   The second quarter saw the only scoring of the entire game, as Decatur out scored Hartford, 12-7, for the winning score.
   Decatur had the ball to start the second quarter and on the second play of the quarter, Theodore Rufo traversed the Indian line and rushed forty yards for the Raiders touchdown. As usual, Decatur very rarely goes for an extra point kick and didn't here. The rush attempt for the two point conversion failed and the Raiders led 6-0 with 10:58 left in the half.
   Hartford struck back on the next possession, where they used great field position to convert a touchdown drive. Despite penalties on the drive and facing a fourth and 24, the Indians scored. On the fourth down, Sergio Perez made a catch on the right side of the field and got the first down. Next play, Perez went five yards for the first and only Indians score of the game. Juan Perez kicked the extra point through and the Indians led 7-6 with 7:15 left in the half.
   Hartford had a chance to put the Raiders on the defensive when Jared Meachum scooped up the onside kick and the Indians had great field position inside the Raiders 35, but the Indians only picked up seven yards and turned the ball over on downs.
   The Raiders put the game away with a solid drive late in the first half, when Cory Olkowski rushed five yards for the Raiders touchdown. This touchdown was set up one play earlier when the Raiders rushed Luke Traver and forced a fumble. The two point conversion attempt, once again, failed and the Raiders took a 12-7 lead to the locker room.
   The second half was a grudge match, line battle as neither team scored in the second half.
   The first drive of the half belonged to Hartford, but as has been the case most of the year, costly penalties, including one for a chop-block, cost the Indians, who lost the ball on a turnover on downs at midfield early in the half. That's after the Indians drove to the Decatur 36.
   Hartford also had one more opportunity in the quarter. After forcing a three-and-out by Decatur, a Gareth MacMillan pass to Sergio Perez gained the Indians nearly fifty yards, followed by a Decatur penalty, left the ball inside the Raiders 15. The Indians tried a field goal and the kick from about 25 yards was "wide left". However, future video evidence proves the call was wrong.
   The fourth quarter started with a solid drive by Decatur, who used nothing but rushes to put the ball inside the Indians 20. However, a fourth and one quarterback sneak was stuffed at the Indians 19 and the Raiders turned the ball over on downs to Hartford.
   Hartford could not turn the tables, as they got very little on the next drive. A shanked punt by Juan Perez left the ball in Indian territory and with just one timeout to work with, Hartford couldn't stop Decatur, who ran out the clock to victory.
   The Indians were led on offense by the rushing game this week. The Indians were led by David Mireles, who rushed for 139 yards on eighteen carries, while Gareth MacMillan added 40 yards on eighteen carries. Luke Traver was three-for-seven passing for 55 yards and an interception, while Gareth MacMillan was one-for-one passing for 49 yards. Sergio Perez caught three passes for 91 yards and a rushing touchdown and Jimmy Mullins added thirteen yards with the other catch.
   On defense, the Indians were paced by Tony Kucharski, who led the team with fourteen tackles. John Scherer and Jared Meachum added ten tackles a piece. Jimmy Mullins had just one tackle, but recovered a fumble.
   The Raiders entire offense was the ground attack, led by Cory Olkowski, who rushed for 116 yards on sixteen carries and a touchdown. Kevin Jackson rushed for 62 yards on fourteen carries and Theodore Rufo added 57 yards on three carries and a touchdown.
   On defense, the Raiders were led by Nate Gerhold, who led all tacklers with fifteen tackles and a sack. Also in double digits for Decatur were Anthonie Mortimore with eleven and Kaleb Kolberg with ten. Mortimore and Kolberg each recorded fumble recoveries for the Raiders and Max Drenth added two tackles and an interception.
   The Indians, now 4-2 on the season, are back in action this Friday, October 7th against Marcellus on the road. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM. The Wildcats come in 2-4, losing 41-12 to Lawton last week.
   The Raiders, now 5-1 on the season, are back in action this Friday, October 7th against Watervliet on the road. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM. The Panthers come in 5-1, defeating Lawrence 74-6 last week.