Hartford Indian Football 2011

Varsity Indians Hang in with Rival Watervliet, but Fall 28-14, Finish Regular Season 6-3

By Web Staff
October 21, 2011

Hartford	7	0	7	0	14
Watervliet	7	14	0	7	28

STAT LEADERS:

Rushing: MacMillan, Hartford, 70 Yards

Passing: Cowsert, Watervliet, 159 Yards

Tackles: Thomas, Watervliet, 14 Tackles

   It is a rivalry that long stretches across five miles and a county line. It's a rivalry that has meaning and will now have meaning long into the future.
   The football game last Friday night was a rivalry game in all the sense of the word. And the home team on their home field; held serve.
   Watervliet, in their own words "struggled", but held off a surprisingly strong Hartford Indian effort, winning last Friday night 28-14 at Panther Stadium, winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference South Division, as well.
   The first quarter saw both teams score seven points a piece, keeping the game tied after one quarter.
   It was the road team, Hartford, that broke into the scoring column first, when Gareth MacMillan took the handoff five yards for the Indians score. Juan Perez, fresh off winning the Soccer District Championship earlier in the night, kicked the extra point to make it 7-0 Hartford.
   Watervliet roared back later in the quarter, when the "Wildcat" offense struck. Travis Bolin took the direct snap 21 yards for the lone Panther score of the first quarter. Mario Fernandez added the extra point and it was tied at seven after one quarter.
   Watervliet won the game in the second stanza, when they outscored Hartford by a 14-0 margin.
   Watervliet's first score of the second frame came on a broken play, as quarterback Jake Cowsert alluded multiple Indian defenders and found running back Brett Thumm open down the field, hitting him in stride and ending with a 78 yard touchdown pass. Mario Fernandez added a second extra point of the night and Watervliet had its first lead, 14-7.
   Watervliet's other score was, for the second time on the night, scored with the feet of Travis Bolin. Bolin, usually a wide receiver for the Panthers, was given running back duties following injuries to two Watervliet backs. He took the handoff one yard to pay dirt for the score. Mario Fernandez added the extra point and Watervliet led 21-7 at half.
   The third quarter was won by Hartford, who outscored Watervliet 7-0 to stay alive in the game.
   Hartford's score came from Gareth MacMillan, his second touchdown of the night, scoring from five yards out for the second time in the game. Juan Perez added his second extra point kick of the game, making it 21-14 Watervliet after three.
   Watervliet put the game away on home turf in the fourth quarter, scoring seven to Hartford's zero in the final frame.
   A major turning point occurred early in the fourth quarter. Hartford was driving down the field deep into Watervliet territory, when Juan Perez missed a 46 yard field goal to keep the score 21-14. It was Hartford's final chance to score in the game.
   Watervliet, promptly, put the game away in the fourth, when Brett Thumm struck again. Another Panther forced in the backfield due to injuries, broke free, going fifty yards for the final score of the game for either team. Mario Fernandez added the extra point kick to make the final score 28-14 for the host Panthers.
   The Indians were led offensively by Gareth MacMillan, who had 70 yards on twelve carries, along with two touchdown runs. Sergio Perez and David Mireles added 48 and 38 yards rushing, respectively. Luke Traver was four-of-seven passing for 68 yards and an interception. Receptions came from Jimmy Mullins (two for 20 yards), Sergio Perez (one for 26 yards) and Jared Meachum (one for 22 yards).
   The Indian defense was led by John Scherer with eight tackles, Zach Clauser with six tackles and Tony Kucharski with five tackles. Kucharski also added an interception, as well.
   The Panthers were led offensively by Jake Cowsert, who was eight-of-seventeen passing for 159 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Brett Thumm led all Watervliet rushers with 61 yards on four carries with a touchdown, while Travis Bolin added 57 on four carries with two touchdowns. Thumm led all receivers with his 78 yard touchdown reception, while Bolin came in with 44 yards receiving on three catches.
   The Panther defense was led by game-leading tackler Brad Thomas with 14 tackles, while Brett Thumm added seven tackles and Kevin Dembinski and Jaxon DeHaven added six tackles a piece. Travis Bolin made two interceptions, in addition to four tackles.
   The Indians, now 6-3 on the season, made the playoffs and are back in action this Saturday, October 29th against Constantine on the road. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM. The Falcons come in 7-2, defeating Schoolcraft 28-21 last week.
   The Panthers, now 8-1 on the season, also made the playoffs and are back in action this Friday, October 28th against Decatur at home. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM. The Raiders come in 6-3, losing 28-20 to Lawton last Friday. These two teams met three weeks ago, when Watervliet defeated Decatur 50-22 at Panther Stadium.