Some thoughts from last nights 55-7 win over Lincoln Christian from the broadcast booth. I couldnt believe the overflow crowd. It truly looked like a late season playoff crowd. From the view of the press box there was Blue everywhere...and yes, you could say some of that was Lincoln Christian but trust me, I know AG Blue when I see it. And that was mostly AG Blue. Dawson Grell had a monstrous play last night. With Lincoln Christian driving late in the 2nd quarter they had their sites on grabbing some late first half momentum. They were down 20 but a score with little time left in the quarter would have sent the Crusaders into the half with some much needed mojo and down just 2 scores. They were getting what they needed on a run by their shifty running back when Dawson Grell reached in and tore the football away from him, and sprinted over 70 yards to pay dirt. The game was over after that play. It reminded me of a Dallas-Pittsburgh Super Bowl in the 70s when the Dallas Cowboys defenders Thomas Hollywood Henderson and Harvey Martin double teamed Terry Bradshaw for a sack. Henderson ripped the ball from Bradshaw like a thief in the night and raced for a Dallas score. Unfortunately, the Cowboys went on to lose to the Steelers in that Super Bowl. Dawson Grell, you have now been compared to Dallas Cowboys great Thomas Henderson. Bryce Chudomelka played the best game of the season. He was crowned King before the game but he didnt play like pampered royalty. He played with great passion on both sides of the ball. The option game was outstanding and he delivered on passes. He was a missile on defense. Trevor Nichelson dominated from the I Back position in the 2nd half. He was patient all game and the 2nd half was his. We had him for 180 yards rushing in the booth...well see if we were close. But it felt like he ran for more than 180 yards. The offensive line wore down Lincoln Christian in the 2nd half. The coaches seem to be settling on 6 linemen with Beard, Kitrell, Dea, DeGarmo, Irland and Roeber being those 6. With Luke Craft coming back from injury, they may be able to add depth. Touchdown Tyler Craven returned with a vengeance last night. He was nearly unstoppable at that wide out position. Chudomelka just kept feeding him the ball and it worked. NU offensive coordinator Tim Beck could take some lessons from Offensive Coordinator Nate Tonjes and Coach Thompson. How many times did they run the counter? Why? They were having great success with it. Its never boring when you put up yards. There is no doubt that Lincoln Christian quarterback Jerad Bubak is the real deal. AT 6-4, 240 lbs and a state track qualifier that last two years, this kid is big AND fast. But the Bluejays bottled him up and shut him down. I dont know how many times I had to call on the air 3-4 Bluejay defenders who gang tackled him for a loss. The Bluejay defense swarmed him and never let him up for air. It was a clinic as far as how to defend and stop a player of that caliber. Every Friday, someone seems to step up and have a big game. Last night, I thought that someone was Walker Fisher on defense. He was outstanding and flew around creating havoc. Trevor Nichelson does not get enough credit on defense. He is in on almost every play. I felt like last night I called his name a dozen times on gang tackles and solo tackles. He is a difference maker out there. It was a big week for TV stars Brett Kitrell and Bryce Chudomelka. If you havent seen the interview that Chudo did with Kitrell (thats right..Chudo conducted the interview, not the TV reporter) go to KOLN/KGIN TV and watch the video. Its great stuff and Bryce Chudomelka is in line for a broadcasting job when hes done with college. Kitrell was a hoot as the interviewee. Even with the newfound fame for Kitrell, he and Stille delivered up front, with tremendous pressure. Alex DeGarmo had a big game as well from that D Tackle spot. He was energized. Lastly, on special teams, its sure easy to take 2 guys for granted because they perform so well every game. Ben Stille is such a weapon on kickoffs. Lincoln Christian had to start nearly every drive after a kickoff at their 20. Stille negates the big play with his foot. For a Class C-1 team, AG has something that few small schools have...and that is having a phenomenal kicker. Corey Washburn is dynamite on punt returns. He always gives the Bluejays great field position with his north-south running but last night he showed a new wrinkle...he can run laterally with the returns. Once again, the 2nd teams act like they should be there. Austin McWilliams ran with a purpose, Kasuske threw the ball well and Brody Elliott got his first varsity TD of his career. That was good to see. Against the 1st team offense of Lincoln Christian, the 2nd team defense of the Bluejays held the Crusaders to a 3 and out. Outstanding work. Next week, on to a big bodied Arlington team at Memorial Stadium. Should be more fun.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 08:15:10 +0000
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