Crucial Fumble Hurts IA

9/28/2011

The Colonels opened district play this past Friday night on the road in Holly Springs at Marshall Academy. Unfortunately, the home team came out on top 20-12. In a game that featured an approximately 45-minute injury delay and numerous penalties on both teams, the Colonels were unable to stop the Patriots late in the game as they ran out the clock to preserve the 8-point win.

Marshall got on the board first in the first quarter with a 64-yard TD run and led 6-0 after the missed PAT. On the ensuing kickoff, IA junior Trey Roberson returned the ball to the Colonel 26 but did not get up after the play. After the game it was determined Roberson had suffered a concussion and will miss this week’s game at Manchester. However, it took trainers and medical personnel quite some time to get him strapped to a backboard and even longer for an ambulance to arrive. After the lengthy delay, the Colonels had 1^st and 10 from their own 26 but fumbled the snap and were not able to recover. Marshall quickly took advantage, scoring on the very next play to go up 12-0 (missed PAT). It appeared at that point the Patriots, who came into the game undefeated, had all the momentum and would go on to rout the Colonels. The IA defense stood tall though and forced a punt on the next two Patriot drives. The second punt, made out of the Patriot end zone, was a squibber that never made it off the ground. Colonel LB Michael Sykes scooped it up and rumbled his way 15 yards for a touchdown putting IA on the board with just over 4 minutes to play in the half. The PAT was unsuccessful and the Colonels trailed 20-6 at halftime as Marshall would tack on another score and 2-point conversion just before the break.

The Patriots opened the second half with the ball and threatened to add to their lead, getting as deep as the Colonel 9 before fumbling. Sykes was there to fall on the ball and squelch the scoring threat. The offense responded, going 84 yards while taking 8 minutes off the clock. Senior QB Taylor Marlow ran it in from 2 yards out to make it 20-12 (missed PAT) and that score would hold for the remainder of the game.

The 4^th quarter was mired by sloppy play from both teams as they kept the referees busy. I must say I’ve never seen 5… yes 5 flags thrown on the same play, all for different penalties mind you. Nor have I ever seen 2 balls set on the field at the same time. That said, the Colonels did have their chances late as they stopped a trick play on a punt and took over possession with 8:22 left in the game. However, only one 1^st down was made and the Patriots were able to run out the remaining 6 minutes.

The loss drops the Colonels to 2-4, (0-1). IA will be back in action Friday, September 30 at Manchester Academy. Kickoff for the      non-district tilt is set for 7:00.