Chelsea, MI. – On an unseasonably warm Thursday night, the Chelsea Bulldogs freshman football team played host to the Tecumseh Indians and came away with a hard-fought, well-earned 20-6 victory.
The Indians scored first in the first quarter but were stopped on the 2-point conversion. At the beginning of the second quarter, Bulldog quarterback Sam Kneffel made a few good quick passes and ran it up the middle on a keeper to give the Bulldogs first and goal at the Indians’ 2-yard line. On the very next play, halfback Cameron Cybart burst through the defense behind solid blocking to tie the game up 6-6.
Both teams kept battling throughout the second quarter and ended up exchanging interceptions with each other, sending the teams tied up at the half. Chelsea started with the ball to start the third quarter and drove downfield very well, and in scoring position, went for it on fourth and two but fumbled the ball, giving the Indians possession.
Chelsea stopped the Indians and after they were able to drive downfield. On a third and long, the snap to the quarterback in the shotgun position was bad, so he quickly tossed it to his halfback, Cybart, who ran for the first down and more, giving the Bulldogs a first and goal at the five-yard line.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, it was quarterback Kneffel keeping the ball for the Bulldogs and getting into the endzone. Felipe Adam-Rita would drill the extra point, giving the Bulldogs the 13-7 lead.
With the Indians driving, Bulldog linebacker Nolan Forehand jumped in front of a pass from the quarterback, making the big interception, giving his team good field position on the return. On a third and one with 9 and a half to go in the fourth, it was Kneffel keeping the ball, getting his second score of the night. With the extra point, the Bulldogs had a comfortable 20-6 lead.
But the Indians were not giving up and were moving the ball down the field when, with about four and a half minutes to go in the game, the Bulldogs forced a fumble and were able to recover. The Bulldogs were able to successfully run the clock out with several good plays and secure the huge 20-6 victory. The Junior Varsity played after them and secured a big 42-26 victory over Tecumseh.
The Freshman team will play host next Thursday, the 25th, to their rivals, Dexter. Kickoff will be at 4:30 with the Junior Varsity team following shortly after.
