LANDON FOOTBALL 14 McNAMARA 11

This contest was a matter of bifurcated distributions as measured in two dimensions–by size/recruitment and by scoring over time. McNamara’s numbers suggested that the talent equation prediction meant that the Mustangs should win; however, the Landon performance equation (team plus heart) created fourteen 1^st Quarter points and a D that rose to the occasion at critical moments. FINAL SCORE BEARS 14 MUSTANGS 11

The visitors’ roster included

• ·       19 players with weights greater than 200#.

• ·       6 who tipped the scales at 250+,

• ·       O and D lines that averaged at least 50 pounds more than their Bear opponents,

• ·       5 athletes whose serviced are sought by schools like Maryland, West Virginia, Syracuse, BC, Michigan State, UMass, Rutgers and other Division 1 schools, their wide receivers and

• ·       Several Wide Receivers who were larger than the Bear D linemen.

The Mustangs’ 1^st game was against one of the powerhouse MIAA league’s teams and they beat Mount Saint Joseph’s 32-23. The potential equation said that the visitors should be the favorites.

The second field of analysis of our review of the game was time/performance and the Bears’ 1^st two possessions resulted in scores. The temporal axis   showed that Landon’s defense clawed, scrapped and fought to retain their advantage. The final play of the game gave the visitors 2 points but consumed the last 4 seconds which the Mustangs craved for a chance to win.

From macro to micro-

McNamara won the flip of the coin, but chose to defer. The Bears received the kick and started on their own 25. Eight consecutive runs (Myles Allen 3 [one 42 yards and a 1yd TD run], Peter Laco 2[one 33 yards], Johari Johnson (a sophomore) 1 and QB Philip Pena1) moved the ball 75 yards. Messrs. Howard, Kamari,Spiritos, Polun, Rallo, Murty,Johnston and Petty(other lineman entered the fray later) made sizeable holes for the Bear RBs, even though the Mustangs measured pounds and inches bigger; execution matters! Myles Allen pushed the ball over the final yard to take a home lead. Matt Underhillsplit the uprights, making the score Bears 7 Mustangs 0 @ 8:20 remaining.

The Varsity Soccer Captain, who doubles as the Landon FB kicker, kicked off and put the ball well into the end zone. Given that the visitors have some speed burners, the absence of a return was a BIG plus. Two inconsequential runs and a passing attempt thwarted by the Bears’ massive nose guard (tackle?), PJ Fitzgerald’s sack of the McNamara   QB forced the visitors to punt.

This drive consumed 58 yards and 2:13 seconds to up the score once more. Pena for 5, Allen for two consecutive carries (+2 yards), Pena on a sweep (+5) and then a time out allowed OC/Coach Bordley to pull some magic out of the playbook. First, because Phil Pena’s helmet came off during the previous play, he had to sit out a 4^th and 2 play. Consequently junior QB, Kyle Hartman had to play. He followed the playbook and handed the ball off to the Bears senior tailback, #32, and thirty some yards later Myles Allenswept into the end zone. The Underhill successful PAT made it LANDON 14 McNAMARA 0 @ 3:59 remaining in Q1.

Our soccer kicker/ place kicker blasted the ball through the end zone, pinning the Mustangs to the Landon 20. The defense stifled the visitors’ offense, three and out with the exclamation point coming from PJ’s recovery of a fumble. For the first time in this game, the Bears did not mount a drive. On 4^th down, the snap to punter, Michael Rhodes, exceeded his height and forced him to chase the ball with a herd of Mustangs pursuing him and the spheroid; fortunately, our boy regained possession of the pigskin first and was able to exercise his athletic talents by rugby kicking it past the defenders and had it end up 41 yards in the opposite direction.

One McNamara zero gain run brought the 1^st Quarter to a 14-0 end. Three Mustang plays and the Bears regained possession, first and 10 at the Landon 34 with more than 10 minutes until half time. Seven Bear offensive plays moved the ball, most notably a Johari Johnson run of 25 yards, down the field, but a Bear fumble returned the ownership of the ball to the Mustangs. The visitors remained on offense for 10 plays. They tried a screen, but the Bears’ nose guard, PJ, knocked it down. A 4^th down pass by the Mustangs’ QB was incomplete. The Bears took over on downs with 2:46 until half. An unsuccessful series of Landon downs resulted in a less spectacular but successful Rhoads’ punt.

With 1:37 left, the visitors were able to move down the field with surprising ease, given recent futility. This drive saw a TD pass called back due to a McNamara holding penalty, but another pass moved the markers 41 yards. With 0:05 remaining, the Mustangs converted a 32 yard field goal.

HALFTIME BEARS 14 MUSTANGS 3  

The second half was a different story—while Landon had used a number of substitutes, the 90° temperature and the visitors’ gargantuan size started to tell their toll on the Bears. The Mustangs sustained five drives of greater than their1st half standard of three-and-out; one consumed 10 plays, almost 5 minutes and 85 yards. The Bear D fought valiantly and demonstrated their tenacity at key moments (read below). The Landon front line consisted of Andrew Mitchell, Will Buckingham, PJ Fitzgerald, Kolby Williams, Jackson Howard, Austin Petty, Connor Lynch, and Sebastian Welles. The LBs included Peter Laco, Michael Rhoads, and Taylor Trumbower. The secondary was manned by Anthony Fullum, Jack Falk, Rob Dunnigan, Philip Pena, Dominique Seagears and Brandon Johnson. While they conceded turf in the last 24 minutes, they never relinquished their lead.

The Mustangs’ second possession of the third period was thwarted by consecutive Tackles For Loss by Peter Laco, Jack Falkand Will Buckingham. The end point was established when Willrecovered a fumble.

The Bear O was somewhat hampered by the absence of their QB, TB and TE for much or all of the last 24 minutes..

The scoreboard at the end of the 3^rd Q read Bears 14 Mustangs 3.

As the clock turned from the penultimate to the final period, the visitors mounted their most effective drive, the aforementioned 10 play possession. At 9:59 remaining in the game, McNamara scored, but missed their PAT. LANDON 14 McNAMARA 9

The Bears narrowed the window a bit with a 6 play, almost 2 minute and 25 yard drive. 7:25 remaining.

a tackle by Anthony, but not THE TACKLE

Disaster almost struck; from their own 25 yard line, the Mustangs threw a bubble screen down the West sideline. The huge McNamara WR broke a couple of tackles and was streaking towards a certain TD, BUT the Bears defensive back, assigned to cover the East sideline, streaked across the field and caught his larger opponent before he scored. The visitor demonstrated his “dominance (?)” over the speedy Anthony Fullum who had denied the Mustang his TD by taunting him. His word choice was heard by the official who signified his disapproval by tossing his yellow flag. This lack of sportsmanship converted a 1^st and goal at the two yard to a start at the eighteen yard line. The Fullum save and Mustang sally gave the Bears a critical cushion. On 3^rd and I, the visitors fumbled and Peter Lacoreceived the gift graciously. Five and a half minutes remained to protect the Bears” lead.

The game was hardly won yet and the Bears held the ball precariously only 5 yards from the goal sought by the visitors. A turnover or a quick 3 and out would have been desired by the Mustangs. On second down and 10 with five minutes left, Anthony Fullumreceived a toss, turned the corner, advanced the ball 14 yards. A couple more clock-eating runs were followed by another useful punt by Mr. Rhoads.

The Mustangs tried a screen pass and a run to little avail. At third and sixteen, the visitors’ QB heaved a pass at one of his large WRs, but Peter Laco received the ball instead.

It was Bears’ first and ten, 16 yards away from the Mustang goal and 1:40 remaining. Three consecutive plays in which Kyle Hartmandid the right thing, consuming time, retaining the ball and losing yards. With 0:04 remaining, Michael Rhoadslined up to punt in his own end zone. He caught the snap, hugged the ball and awaited the onslaught of Mustangs. They reached him in time to record a safety, but to see the 0:00 on the scoreboard next to the notation LANDON 14 McNAMARA 11

STATISTICS

LANDON

LANDON PASSING

Pena           0 completions 1 pass

LANDON RUSHINGLANDON RUSHING

Allen            17 rushes             86 yards               2 TDs

Johnson     7                            42

Laco            5                            33

Pena           7                            22

Fullum         `1                           15

Francois     3                            2

Hartman     3                            -17

McNAMARA

PASSING

Collins        13 completions    25 attempts          234 yards 1 interception

RECEIVINGRECEIVING

Crockett      5 receptions         114 yards

Charles       5                              64

RUSHINGRUSHING

Gillis            22 carries             84 yards

NOTE—there may be errors in the above post; PLEASE let me know about any mistake. The corrections are much appreciated.

NEXT BEARS’ GAME—HOME SA 9/8 1:30PM vs. ANNAPOLIS CHRISTIAN

Next BSN, Sunday 9/2—Bear FB trax, Lax trax and hoops trax!!!