Just out of reachBluejays unravel Indians with big plays
By Chad Husted
For the briefest of moments, momentum visited the Twin Lakes sideline on a Friday night.
Not just an interception, but a leaping, field reversing interception from first-year Indian Will Rogers. Not just a score to break a tie that had lasted into the second half, but a 22 yard scoring run from backup fullback Michael Griffin. After four straight losses, Twin Lakes had a lead and the confidence to go with it.
All was undone in two plays from North Judson. The Bluejays answered on the ensuing drive with a 46 yard run from Wes Derflinger to tie the score 6-6, then finished in the fourth quarter with a 66 yard pass from Caston Sanchez to Erik Beckman.
Both scores came on effective plays that became game-breakers with broken tackles, Derflinger bouncing off of a TL linebacker and reversing field for the score, Beckman breaking Josh Hankins’ tackle after a 30 yard catch before running the final patch of green to put the Bluejays up for good, 13-6.
“We thought things were going good, but we let them go down and answer (after Griffin’s score). That was big, really, really big,” Twin Lakes coach Brad Urban said. “But it is what it is. We just didn’t make the plays down the stretch. They made one more play than us.”
Both Twin Lakes’ and North Judson’s defenses were ready when most needed, as both allowed the other to gather in the yards in gulps while still keeping the score to goose eggs through two quarters. Twin Lakes again totaled over 200 yards on the ground, led by Hankins’ 63 on 13 carries, while Sanchez threw for 125 yards against TL’s pass defense. While not the prolific passing that has been TL’s downfall in recent weeks, on a windy night that sent a mild chill plunging into hat-and-gloves weather, Sanchez was able to sling seven completions and put the ball downfield on plays that caught the breath of TL fans and defenders alike.
Twin Lakes’ offense switched smoothly between its QB duo of Zach Diener and Sam Thomas, with clearly defined roles forming through the game. Diener made the most with his athleticism, including a crucial first down run on the Indians’ doomed drive to tie, while Thomas’ rainbow pass to Tyler Widner set up Griffin’s sprint to the end zone.
The buckling of the Indians’ chance to force overtime came before the final drive, however, as Diener made two pinpoint passes with seven minutes remaining in the game, only to see both bounce off of hands and onto the dirt. The first to Widner, the second to Jared Thayer on third and fourth down respectively from the NJ 45 yard line, but the Bluejays couldn’t keep the Indians from another offensive possession after the turnover on downs.
After Diener’s run, Thomas sent two off target throws downfield, followed by Griffin’s run that finished inches short of the first. On fourth down, the Indians lined up incorrectly for the intended dive. That allowed a Bluejays outside linebacker to make the tackle for loss, ending the comeback attempt.
“Anytime you lose the close game, and this is the second one, that’s tough and it’s tough for the kids. They’re really positive we had a great week of practice,” Urban said. “Defensively we played well enough to win. We gave up two big plays in really the whole game. That’s unfortunate and we have to get better.”
Following senior Christian Winkle’s exit in the second half with an apparent head injury, Griffin finished with 55 yards on nine carries. He twice broke through to the second level, both times just barely being brought down before a chance at the wide open field.
“Michael did a good job, he has a burst of energy and is probably the quickest guy on the team,” Urban said. “He could have lowered his shoulder a bit, but that’s his inexperience. A little bit different style of running (from Winkle), and with the way the game was running that was a change of pace for us.”
Hankins also left the game late, as did Diener. Hankins is the more crucial situation, Urban said, as the junior tailback looks to have a pulled hamstring. Urban called Winkle questionable for sectional play at Western Boone.
“(Hankins is) probably the one that we’re worried about the most,” Urban said.
