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Chargers win two in a row
By Jodi Westrick
Collegian Reporter
The football
team is proving that their close match with nationally ranked
Grand Valley State three weeks ago was no fluke. Hillsdale
defeated Northern Michigan, 27-20, on Oct. 4 and beat Wayne
State, 49-26, last Saturday, winning back-to-back games for
the first time since their 2001 season.
The Chargers are now 3-3 overall,
3-2 in the GLIAC.
Hillsdale's victory over Northern
Michigan came down to a last-minute defensive stand on their
own 20-yard line, and the defense played a key role throughout
the game.
Despite being statistically outplayed
by the Wildcats, Hillsdale was able to take advantage of NMU's
six turnovers, scoring 20 points on three interceptions.
"We had an extra bounce in
our step," coach Keith Otterbein said. "We knew we
were going to make good plays on the ball. The
defense was consistent and they were able to step up when they
were needed."
After an interception early in
the first quarter, the Chargers put the first points on the
board. Senior quarterback Bill Skelton connected with sophomore
wide receiver Carlton McFagden with 8:39 left.
Hillsdale held the Wildcats scoreless
in the first quarter, but NMU came back early in the second
with a field goal by Kyle Marotz.
A Hillsdale pass interference
penalty gave Northern Michigan good field position, helping
them to score another touchdown and giving them a 10-6 lead.
Hillsdale stopped Northern Michigan's
next drive with an interception by sophomore defensive back
Chad Gurica. Junior running back
Dan Wilson ran in for a touchdown with 2:30 remaining in the
quarter.
Northern Michigan did not have
possession of the ball for much longer in the first half due
to another interception by sophomore defensive back Mitch May.
After Hillsdale took over on offense,
Skelton connected with McFagden again for another Charger touchdown,
putting them up 20-10 with 51 seconds left in the half.
"Hillsdale took advantage
of their opportunities," NMU coach Doug Sams said. "Their
defense hit hard and that gave them the advantage."
Northern Michigan kicked a field
goal five minutes into the third quarter and then added a touchdown
halfway through the fourth to tie the game at 20-20.
But, with three minutes left in
the game, freshman running back Phil Martin ran the ball in
for another touchdown, and Hillsdale took the lead.
However, Northern Michigan came
back with a 49-yard kick return and drove to Hillsdale's 20-yard
line. But the Charger defense held firm in the red zone, stopping
the Wildcats' first rushing play for a 4-yard loss and then
forcing three straight incomplete passes.
The Chargers capped the game when,
with under a minute left to play, sophomore defensive back Cody
Senkyr and senior linebacker Jim Barr knocked down a fourth-and-long
pass intended for a Nothern Michigan player.
The Charger defense played well
despite missing senior standout Rob North at the linebacker
position due to an injury.
"[Senior linebacker] Tim
O'Malley came in big," senior punter Jon Bromley said.
"He stepped up and played well in place of Rob. Our defense
limited the big plays that Northern attempted."
Hillsdale stepped up again when
they faced Wayne State on the Warriors' turf during their Homecoming
celebrations.
"We need to give credit to
the offensive line," Otterbein said.
"They did a great job in
blocking to give the runners and Bill [Skelton] time to make
the big plays."
Skelton had a strong game, completing
20 of 26 passes for 246 yards and a career-high five touchdowns.
His first touchdown came five
minutes into the game, when he connected with Wilson on a 15-yard
pass.
After a Warrior field goal, Martin
ran in a touchdown with 5:27 left on the clock.
A minute later, Skelton connected
with sophomore halfback Jesse Hoskins for another Charger touchdown,
giving Hillsdale a 19-3 lead.
In the second quarter, Hillsdale
scored again on a pass to sophomore Keith Recker, making the
score 25-3.
Wayne State retaliated by scoring their first touchdown with
8:28 left in the half.
Both teams played sound defense
in the third quarter.
They scored only one field goal
apiece, and Hillsdale finished the third with a 28-13 advantage.
It took the Chargers took only
24 seconds into the fourth quarter to put another touchdown
on the board, but WSU scored two minutes later, cutting the
Chargers' lead to 15.
The fourth quarter was a flurry
of scoring, as the Chargers also added two more touchdowns.
The Warriors scored again but not enough to make up the point
deficit, losing their Homecoming game, 26-49.
The Chargers will try to continue
their winning streak when they take on Northwood for Hillsdale's
Homecoming at 2:30 p.m. this Saturday.
"We want to see more fans
in the stands," Bromley said.
"We want to see students
supporting us especially since we've been playing well."
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Photo courtesy of Sidney Delp
Senior Matt Dudek (L), sophomore
Mitch May, junior Matt Kaler, junior Josh Mott and senior Jim
Barr celebrate their defensive play. The Charger defense held
Northern Michigan to 94 rushing yards.
Photo courtesy of Sidney Delp
Senior Jon Bromley averaged
40 yards per punt against NMU.
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