Massaponax 15 Courtland 14 with controversial ending
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What a game! Joey Benden is the REAL DEAL! Courtland is good but they have no depth but if they stay injury free then they may make some noise in 4a South.
It was a tough ending, seemed like Courtland tried to take the air outta the ball in second haof and was very uncharacteristic in that they turned the ball over quite a bit. Credit to Massaponax for hanging in there and ultimately getting a break and winning the game.
Very unfortunate seen after the game however as multiple Courtland players threw helmets in disgust and kicked helmets and #1 from Courtland has to be restrained as he was yelling at the Massaponax team after the hand shake. Not what you usually see from a JC Hall coached team, very unusual.
Congrats to Massaponaxand I'm sure Riverbend will get a very hungry and determined Courtland team next week.
Very unfortunate seen after the game however as multiple Courtland players threw helmets in disgust and kicked helmets and #1 from Courtland has to be restrained as he was yelling at the Massaponax team after the hand shake. Not what you usually see from a JC Hall coached team, very unusual.
Congrats to Massaponaxand I'm sure Riverbend will get a very hungry and determined Courtland team next week.
Every time I read about Courtland Shaunt would talk about how they didn't fumble, turn the ball over, or beat themselves yet in big games these are the circumstances that happen to lose them the game. Is it safe to say that against the sisters of the poor they don't do these things, but in big games it happens?? Just curious. Sounded like a hell of a game.
Actually, it's 4A East. Depth Is definitely an issue for them. Hoos noted the cramping problems. Certainly aided by so many 2 way players, even on a cool night. Normally, they have been well prepared for this over the years but the normal procedures didn't seem to work tonight.
I'll have to wait for the story tomorrow to see how they actually did. No conclusions till then and I see the film. Yes, no question Joey Benden is the real deal.
Yup, they turned the ball over a lot. Uncharacteristic but that's exactly what happened. Sloppy by both frankly, by what I've read so far. But I wasn't there. We'll see how the FLS puts it out tomorrow. Having a very good chance to close the door and not getting it done is not a good sign. Can't disagree.
And don't say anything bad against the Little Sisters of the Poor. I took care of their Telephone and Computer systems in New York for years. These are the most intelligent and dedicated women I have ever met and I never charged them a dime because of it. I understand your statement and can appreciate it. Again, I'm from NY and good ball busting is graded. But I would like if this reference was no longer used.
Did the game on tv but it was on the far side of the field so we couldn't see if the helmet got knocked off or player pulled it off. if he pulled it off a penalty and game over without a kick. one thing that no one is talking about is the cougars was down to their third string kicker that could only kick extra points. Honkenson and Dakota Woodward was on crutches. twice Courtland got stopped on about the 20 on fourth down and JC probably kicks a field goal but it was out the third string kickers range. that could have made a difference. I interviewed coach Luden after the game and he had nothing but praise for the cougars and said they was lucky to win. I agree because the cougars had much more yards than ponax but fumbled a chance to win a bunch of times. excellent first game for both teams and really no one loses a game like this even though Courtland was heart broken understandably so! two good teams playing one of the most physical games I have ever seen.
On a Thursday night with perfect football weather and an awesome crowd, Courtland and Massaponax squared off in a physical and sloppy season opener. I arrived after Courtland scored their first touchdown, a short pass from Chet Wilborne to Jabari Allen, around the 7 minute mark of the first quarter. Massaponax could do nothing with the ball early, as the Cougars swarmed the backfield on nearly every play. Courtland quickly got the ball back and marched down the field again, and capped the drive off with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Wilborne to UVA commit Nick Grant. It looked like the game was going to turn into a blowout, but Massaponax's defense tightened up and the game got very sloppy from there.
The Panthers were able to move the ball better on the following drive, all on the ground, but the Cougar defense tightened up and the drive resulted in a long field goal to end the first quarter. 14-3 Courtland. Soon after, Courtland bobbled a snap and Ponax recovered it at the Cougar 28-yard line. However, two plays later a pass to the back of the endzone by QB Joey Benden resulted in a Jabari Allen interception. The Cougars couldn't capitalize, however they did make a nice 15+ yard play on a fake punt, but had to punt again a few plays later anyway. Massaponax quickly drove the field, all the way to the goal line, and proceeded to fumble a snap, which Courtland recovered. Massaponax again stuffed Courtland for the rest of the half, and the score stayed at 14-3 at the break.
The Panthers got the ball to start the third quarter, moved the ball again until the Cougar defense made some big plays, and Ponax had to settle for another field goal. 14-6 midway through the quarter. Again, sloppy play and penalties by the Cougars resulted in a quick punt, and it looked as if Ponax was ready to take it to them in the 4th quarter, but a 50+ yard run was negated by a holding penalty. A few Cougars also cramped up on that play. After trading punts, Courtland fumbled yet another snap and gave Ponax the ball in good field position with 4 minutes remaining in the game. The Panthers completed a short pass that turned into a big gain, but it was negated by yet another holding penalty. It didn't matter, though, because two plays later, they ripped off a 34-yard touchdown run. They attempted a run up the middle on the two-point conversion, but the Cougars weren't having that. 14-12 Courtland with 3 minutes remaining. Courtland got the ball and appeared to be poised to run out the clock, but a few plays later, George Cheetham fumbled on a questionable 4th-down play call and gave the Panthers new life at the Cougar 42-yard line with 1:48 left.
The Cougar defense stepped up, laying a massive hit on a Panther receiver on 3rd down, and it looked as if there wasn't enough time left and the game was over... but the clock stopped. Everyone in the stadium went nuts, the Panthers snapped out of it and quickly lined up to kick a field goal, and then the clock started running with 7 seconds left. Just as time expired, the Massaponax Panthers escaped the Cougar Den with a 15-14 victory.
To keep it real, Courtland got screwed, but they had plenty of chances to put the game away. In typical Courtland fashion of the last few years, they choked away a big game. The amount of fumbles and penalties was ridiculous for such a veteran team. Most of these players have played together on varsity for 3 years now, they shouldn't be this sloppy at this point. This is why I don't have them going deep in the playoffs again this year.
Tonight was my first time ever seeing Massaponax in person, and I have to say I was disappointed after buying into the hype the last few years. QB Joey Benden is a great runner, but can't pass. They have speedy running backs and a pretty good offensive line, but their defense was surprisingly tiny. Courtland looked like the 5A school out there. I would say Courtland should've just given the ball to Vic Greene 30 times tonight and pounded it down the Panthers' throats, but he's a fumble machine. You could tell Massaponax hits the weight room hard, though. I expect them to run the table during the regular season again, and maybe make it to the state semis again, but I see why they don't win big games either now. They need a legit passing threat to get over the hump.
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HoosFan...I agree with you Vic should have gotten the ball 30 times but you are wrong as to who fumbles. Vic is #2 and he did not carry the ball on Courtland's last offensive play.
And I agree with you the Cougars got screwed! Yes they did have opportunities to seal the win and did not. It's one thing to allow a game to slip away when the opponent takes it, but it's another when the officials are incompetent.
And I agree with you the Cougars got screwed! Yes they did have opportunities to seal the win and did not. It's one thing to allow a game to slip away when the opponent takes it, but it's another when the officials are incompetent.
The game should have never come down to the last play. Courtland SCREWED themselves point blank. I agree with Hoos. The backs from Courtland have been starting for 3 years, they should not be turning the ball over the way that they do. Point blank...Courtland can't win the big game.
Another experienced senior, still no excuse for that. But they should've punted anyway. Even Coach Fischer would've punted there!
The game was certainly theirs and they did not take it....their own fault. With that said, the officials - BIG TIME SCREWED UP the last play. Courtland should not have allowed the officials to determine the end of the game.
He
He had the first down by two or three yards and then fumbled.
I also managed to grab today's FLS after the game. They really outdo themselves with the detailed previews, hope they keep this up for many years to come.
Damn. He had the 1st down. Game over. Typical JC Hall call. "Risk takers are difference makers". But the fumble happened. Frankly though, 5 fumbles and 3 lost is not Cougar football and the difference in last night's game. That and the Panther kicker's excellent leg. The kid got it done x3. Well done.
Very proud of how well the kids did against such a high quality team. They hung very well against an extremely physical group. The defense really surprised. Yes, it was overall sloppy but you don't even need one hand to count the teams in 4A or even 5A that can hang with the Panthers. We'll see how it rolls the rest of the year. GL to all in 2015.
I'm 61 and a professional ball buster from NY but even I don't understand the canned tomatoes. I do understand what you're trying to say. It's just really poor and almost completely disjointed from the point. You can do better.
Agreed with all that it was a sloppy game for sure and the fumbles more than anything sealed Courtland's fate. I was heartened to see a vastly improved defense that really shut down a powerful team. As many have said--the fact Courtland has to have so many two-way players makes fatigue a real issue. Some of the fumbles and cramps could have been due to simple fatigue, but that's no excuse really. Games like that can help define who you want to be as a team. If they can look at the positives, work on the sloppy and distracted play, there is no reason to not believe they will be a major force to contend with for the rest of the season and into the playoffs.
FLS highlights:
The reporter said the player's helmet pops off... but I don't see it.
The reporter said the player's helmet pops off... but I don't see it.
obviously something had to happen when the kid was getting. up. looks like from that video that the helmet stayed on through the entire tackle to the ground. strange play but an exciting finish. hats off to Ponax for being prepared to run out the FG team quickly
Instead of calling those teams that Courtland looks flawless against Sisters of the Poor then they can be referred to as tomato cans.
tomato can
N. In a fight, someone who is terribly outmatched by their opponent, and gets beaten quite easily, with no glory going to the victor.
The president of the chess club was little more than a tomato can when he picked a fight with the captain of the wrestling team.
HAHA. Devils I like the mindset of you and your guys. I really do; teams around here do a lot of talky talky, but very few are willing to take the walk against the best of the best. I understand why you guys chose to play up for years and respect that.
Upon being tackled, the kid's helmet rolled 3-5 yards away from him. If you pause and try to frame-by-frame the video posted, you will see it starting to fly off.
It helps to get the FG team out "quickly" when the ref gives them an extra 20 seconds or more
yeah Rob. I watched it again and it looks as if it is beginning to come off when he hits the ground. I am sure more definitive footage will emerge. My view was ground level from the concession stand area. was trying to get out as soon as the clock went to zero. I wish I would have stayed in my seat.
No disrespect, but I NEVER understand your reasoning. I can think of quite of few teams that could beat Ponax. Courtland isn't special because they hung around...I mean they ultimately loss. I was at the game and though I think Courtland is good, they won't get far at all in the playoffs this year for numerous reasons and I wouldn't call Ponax a high quality team (though they have the potential to be).
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I see it now, but the player sure took his sweet time getting off the field, even though he was already nearly out of bounds. There was a good 20-second delay there with the clock stopped.
Ok. Other than LT, who,do you think from 4A could beat Ponax and if you say GW, we have all the perspective commentary we need.
I think deciding that Courtland won't go far in the playoffs after the first game of the year is a little premature. You can never really predict how games like this will effect a team, how they'll move forward, the type of heart they have, etc. Fortunately there are nine more regular season games to find out what they're made of. These are young people who are unpredictable for the most part. It'll be very interesting to see how they move forward.
But going by history along with last night, until Courtland shows otherwise, it's reasonable to think these seniors just can't put good teams away. I'm surprised Coach Hall doesn't have a head full of gray hair right now.
So does that mean teams like JM, Louisa and Liberty Bealton are not good teams? I understand if you're talking playoff time. They had games won, like last night and found a way to lose. I can accept that. They need to find a way to finish. GL against the Warriors tonight.
Why didn't the refs stop the clock for the other three times players lost their helmets during the game?
Dinwiddie, Monocan, GW, Salem, Sherando, and I would put my money that JF would too. You talk like Massaponax is LT or Bird lol...There's a world of football outside of Fredericksburg buddy
Dinwiddie, Monocan, GW, Salem, Sherando, and I would put my money that JF would too. You talk like Massaponax is LT or Bird lol...There's a world of football outside of Fredericksburg buddy
GW, Salem and JF have little to no chance. Is Bird 4A now? Dinwiddie can probably hang. You got me there. Maybe Monacan so I'll give you that one too. So I stand corrected. Somehow, you think I'm limited to the Burg. That would be quite false.
Dinwiddie, Monocan, GW, Salem, Sherando, and I would put my money that JF would too. You talk like Massaponax is LT or Bird lol...There's a world of football outside of Fredericksburg buddy
He consistently brings Mass up like they are world beaters. He loves to bring them up I remember at one point they would have beat us last year because they are so physical and run this insane no huddle option offense that no one can stop
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