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| SUMMIT PHOTO BY MATT FOY
Marcus Lewis (with ball) drags the Haskell Indian Nations University defense to set up a chance at a game-winning field goal. The field goal was blocked, though, and the Warriors fell in overtime. |
Late swoon costs Warriors finale
Waldorf loses to Haskell in overtime to close season
By Matt Foy
Of The Summit
FOREST CITY - When the Warriors added an 11th game to the schedule back in the offseason, it was a cause for hope. When that game was over, that 11th game was the cause of a lot of pain.
On Saturday, the Warriors saw a 14-3 first half lead dissipate as Haskell Indian Nations University rallied back to tie the game in the fourth quarter and eventually pulled out a 21-14 overtime victory. The loss dropped Waldorf to 2-9 - its third consecutive year with two wins - and cost its seniors a chance to go out with not only a win but also a winning streak.
"It didn't exactly as we'd planned, but you don't always get what you want," senior defensive lineman Taylor Monson said. "We had some ups and downs and fought through a lot of adversity. It's just nice to play at the second level and see what you've got."
Coming off a win over Minnesota-Morris, the Warriors came out of the gate fast, going 65 yards on 13 plays and scoring on a 1-yard plunge from senior fullback Marcus Lewis.
The Indians answered with a field goal, but Erskinte Henderson brought the ensuing kickoff back 72 yards for a touchdown. But Waldorf missed both conversion attempts, which would come back to haunt later.
Another Haskell field goal made it 14-6 at halftime, and that score would hold until 1:59 remained in the game. After two Waldorf personal fouls opened the door, Indians quarterback Victor Ramos hit Brigham Burt for a 9-yard score and then hit Hunter Smith for the tying 2-point conversion.
The Waldorf offense, dormant most of the game, answered.
Two big plays - Ryan Kerns hit Jake Bohnet on a 24-yard jump ball, and Lewis broke a long run on which he seemingly dragged half the Haskell defense with him - put the ball on the Haskell 3 with seconds remaining.
But a botched snap cost the Warriors a chance at a touchdown, and the team's lack of a kicking game came back to haunt again when Brandon Chenevert's field goal was soundly blocked.
In overtime, Haskell had too much momentum to be stopped. DeAndre Anderson scored on a 13-yard run, and Waldorf's final drive sputtered and died before it ever got started.
After the game, the atmosphere surrounding Bolstorff Field became toxic as some spectators began pointing fingers. Some directed their venom at the referees, while others called out the coaching staff for the team's offensive woes.
But on the field, Waldorf's seniors gathered one last time as a sign of team unity. They - the ones who really matter - weren't pointing any fingers, and they didn't feel like losers.
"We can't dwell on that," said Lewis, who rushed for 104 yards to finish the year with 1,087 yards. "You just look at the whole season and think of the good memories. It's a winning season to me."
Waldorf coach Greg Youngblood has nothing but respect for his seniors, many of whom were on the sideline but unable to play because of injuries. This year's 10-man senior class includes Lewis, Monson, JaWann Billingsley, Roger Blickenderfer, Brendan Nagle, Ross Lippincott, Darnell Whitley, Branden Mohs, William Stokes and Ross Reynolds.
"I have a lot of respect for our seniors," Youngblood said. "They did a great job for four years here. I told them they're winners even though the games haven't fallen in their favor.
"They carried their names well; they carried the Waldorf name well. They can be proud of that."
Lewis, a staple of the Waldorf offense for three years, says the team has improved every year he's been there and is confident that the program is in good hands with the current coaching staff and returning talent.
"Like Coach says, you keep pounding the rock," he said. "I think they're breaking chunks each year, and sooner or later it's going to break and we'll have some winning streaks. The coaches are going to do a good job."
Youngblood says improving the team's overall roster size - injuries made things tough for an already understaffed team all year - and physical conditioning are two offseason priorities that stick out. After an up-and-down season, it's hard to know whether the Waldorf football program is in better shape now than it was a year ago, but the feeling in the locker room is things will get better before too long.
"I don't know if it's better or not," Youngblood said, "but it's not where we need to be. I'm confident we'll get there."
Story created Nov 14, 2007 - 13:42:55 CST.
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