UTICA - Jason Trousdale knows that some people, himself even, may question a decision he made during Saturday's Section III, Class D quarterfinal against Utica Notre Dame.
Late in the second quarter, Weedsport was faced with a fourth down deep in their own territory.
Punting into a gusty wind, Tucker Beardsley's last kick netted one yard, so Weedsport coach Trousdale decided to go for it. The play did not have the effect that Trousdale or the Warriors desired. Weedsport was backed up to their 20-yard-line on the play, giving UND a chance to crack the plain with less than a minute left.
A few plays later, the Jugglers were on the board and on their way to a 13-6 victory. Utica Notre Dame goes on to face Watertown IHC in the Class D semifinals next weekend.
“I wanted to try to use up more clock,” Trousdale said. “It was only fourth-and-4 at the time, and if we get the first down we could run the clock out.
“You can always second guess. I thought I did the right thing at the time. They got the ball, and the kid made a nice catch down at the (one-yard line). We had a chance to get them stopped, but (Phil DiPerna) is a good ball-carrier.”
The score was crucial to the eventual outcome. Late in the fourth, Juggler running back DiPerna found a seam in the Warriors' defense and rushed 50 yards for an insurance score, but Luke Manolescu missed the extra point.
Though the second touchdown seemed like a deal-breaker for Weedsport, Utica Notre Dame left the Warriors with more than five minutes on the clock and a chance to take the lead. With kicker Zach Brown out with a knee injury after a late-season game against Onondaga, Weedsport would be forced to go for two. Weedsport's drive started out promising. Craig Mietz rushed for a first down, and quarterback Abe Jordan found Matt Seeger to move the chains. However, the Juggler defense started to clamp down and the Warriors found themselves with one last shot, a fourth-and-9 from the Utica Notre Dame 45-yard line.
At the most inopportune time, the rainy conditions finally got to Weedsport. The play started with a bad snap and ended with Jordan passing well short of receiver Jake DeChick. Utica Notre Dame took over on downs and ran out the clock.
It was a tough way to end the playoff run for the Warriors, who have now found themselves at the hands of three close losses this season, especially since Weedsport had equaled or out-gained their opponents in the losses. Saturday, the Warriors had a 140-116 advantage in the ground game. With the slopping conditions, both squads' passing game was virtually non-existent).
Weedsport's lone touchdown came on its first drive in the second half, sparked by a 39-yard run by Mietz. Jordan pushed it in from the one, but was stopped short inches from the goal line on the ensuing two-point conversion. The Warriors fumbled - their only turnover of the game - on their next possession.
Though a Section III title is now out of reach, Weedsport (5-3) will have one last crossover game to end the season. Trousdale is hoping another nearby squad will share his thoughts for a Week 9 game. Cato-Meridian (6-2) was eliminated by Westmoreland on Saturday.
“I'd like to play Cato, it would be a good game,” he said. “You've got two of the better teams in the county. It would be a good matchup, two good football teams.”
W-port 0 0 6 0 -- 6
UND 0 7 0 6 --13
Second Quarter
UND - DiPerna 1 run (Manolescu kick)
Third Quarter W - Jordan 1 (run failed)
Fourth Quarter
UND - DiPerna 50 run (kick failed)
Jugglers 13
Warriors 6
Punting into a gusty wind, Tucker Beardsley's last kick netted one yard, so Weedsport coach Trousdale decided to go for it. The play did not have the effect that Trousdale or the Warriors desired. Weedsport was backed up to their 20-yard-line on the play, giving UND a chance to crack the plain with less than a minute left.
A few plays later, the Jugglers were on the board and on their way to a 13-6 victory. Utica Notre Dame goes on to face Watertown IHC in the Class D semifinals next weekend.
“I wanted to try to use up more clock,” Trousdale said. “It was only fourth-and-4 at the time, and if we get the first down we could run the clock out.
“You can always second guess. I thought I did the right thing at the time. They got the ball, and the kid made a nice catch down at the (one-yard line). We had a chance to get them stopped, but (Phil DiPerna) is a good ball-carrier.”
The score was crucial to the eventual outcome. Late in the fourth, Juggler running back DiPerna found a seam in the Warriors' defense and rushed 50 yards for an insurance score, but Luke Manolescu missed the extra point.
Though the second touchdown seemed like a deal-breaker for Weedsport, Utica Notre Dame left the Warriors with more than five minutes on the clock and a chance to take the lead. With kicker Zach Brown out with a knee injury after a late-season game against Onondaga, Weedsport would be forced to go for two. Weedsport's drive started out promising. Craig Mietz rushed for a first down, and quarterback Abe Jordan found Matt Seeger to move the chains. However, the Juggler defense started to clamp down and the Warriors found themselves with one last shot, a fourth-and-9 from the Utica Notre Dame 45-yard line.
At the most inopportune time, the rainy conditions finally got to Weedsport. The play started with a bad snap and ended with Jordan passing well short of receiver Jake DeChick. Utica Notre Dame took over on downs and ran out the clock.
It was a tough way to end the playoff run for the Warriors, who have now found themselves at the hands of three close losses this season, especially since Weedsport had equaled or out-gained their opponents in the losses. Saturday, the Warriors had a 140-116 advantage in the ground game. With the slopping conditions, both squads' passing game was virtually non-existent).
Weedsport's lone touchdown came on its first drive in the second half, sparked by a 39-yard run by Mietz. Jordan pushed it in from the one, but was stopped short inches from the goal line on the ensuing two-point conversion. The Warriors fumbled - their only turnover of the game - on their next possession.
Though a Section III title is now out of reach, Weedsport (5-3) will have one last crossover game to end the season. Trousdale is hoping another nearby squad will share his thoughts for a Week 9 game. Cato-Meridian (6-2) was eliminated by Westmoreland on Saturday.
“I'd like to play Cato, it would be a good game,” he said. “You've got two of the better teams in the county. It would be a good matchup, two good football teams.”
W-port 0 0 6 0 -- 6
UND 0 7 0 6 --13
Second Quarter
UND - DiPerna 1 run (Manolescu kick)
Third Quarter W - Jordan 1 (run failed)
Fourth Quarter
UND - DiPerna 50 run (kick failed)
Jugglers 13
Warriors 6
