Despite Big Defensive Plays, Defiance Falls to Center
-Zach Weaver
(Defiance, Oh) Defiance College (0-2) falls to Center College, Ky (2-0) on Saturday September 13, but three Jackets came up with over 10 tackles: Andrew Feldhaus, 15, Josh Slayton, 11, Eric Strickland, 10.
After a tough fought loss last week, the Defiance College Yellow Jackets looked to bounce back and come out strong against Centre College. The team was struck with injuries to both the first and second string Quarterbacks, Alex Larson and Andrew Prelipp, leaving senior, Garrett Teague, to command the offense.
The Jackets started off strong scoring on their first drive, after a crucial fourth down conversion on a fake punt by Sean Washington, with a 40 yard pass from Garrett Teague to Darius Harper.
Centre answered with a score of their own, missed the extra point, and left the Yellow Jackets up 7-6. After a three and out, the Yellow Jackets were forced to punt. On the Colonel’s next possession, Kenny Jones sacked Centre’s Quarterback on third and short, forcing a punt. Centre would eventually get the ball back and score on an explosive 50 yard touchdown pass, with a successful extra point, take a 13-7 lead in the first quarter.
Centre’s next drive is cut short thanks to a redzone stop after a tipped pass by Jamairio Belton forcing them to kick a thirty yard field goal, making the score 16-7. The Yellow Jackets were looking to come back and score late in the first half when Garrett Teague was able to connect with Darius Harper for a 25 yard gain down to the 22 yard line, but they could not convert the drive into points.
Centre took over and drove down the field, but the Jacket’s defense held strong and forced Centre to kick another field goal making the score 19-7 with 1:30 left in the first half. Center scored again following a turnover on the Jackets 30 yard line. Ending the half with a score of 27-7.
The Yellow Jackets would come out strong in the second half on defense with an interception of their own by Angelo Proulx getting field position on the attacking side of the 50 yard line. They were held once again to no points.
Despite Daniel Collins 60 yard run in the second half, Defiance was unable to find the endzone. Centre would only score once in the second half, the final score 35-7.
This game ends the Yellow Jackets out of conference play. The Jackets open the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference next Saturday, September 20 at Coressel Stadium. Kick off is at 1:30 against Mount St. Joseph .
