The Turnaround Season: Game Three at Cheboygan
Friday September 10, 2010
There is no greater feeling for a high school athlete than being excused early for a road contest; the 10:30 AM dismissal time was welcomed by the players, who excitedly packed a charter bus. The 2010 MSHS football program’s first road game of the season featured a five-hour bus ride south across the Mackinac Bridge. Awaiting Marquette was Cheboygan, one of the top programs in Northern Michigan, coached by Jack Coon whose Hall of Fame resume includes numerous championships and countless playoff runs. Quarterback Derek Ferris, who was recruited by multiple NCAA Division II programs before eventually committing to & playing for Michigan Tech, led an athletic skill group that matched up well on paper vs. MSHS. While Marquette was looking for its first two-game win streak since 2007, the hometown team found themselves in a must-win situation to keep their playoff hopes alive after stumbling out the gates to an 0–2 record.
The game was played on a beautiful fall evening on the shores of Lake Huron, creating a great atmosphere for high school football. For the third consecutive year, Cheboygan leapt out to a 14–0 lead early in the first quarter. Being down early didn’t intimidate Marquette, though. Coach L’Huillier used a timeout to reinvigorate the team and get them back on track. The group’s response worked, as a 50-yard screen pass to Garrett Pentecost quickly went for a touchdown to make the game 14–6.
After Pentecost’s 50-yard dash, Cheboygan drove down and scored again to push their lead back to two touchdowns. Once Marquette got the ball back, both first and second down resulted in negative yardage. In need of a boost on 3rd and Long, MSHS reached down into L’Huillier’s bag of tricks. QB Nick Emmendorfer passed to Colin Terry behind the line of scrimmage. Still eligible to throw a forward pass, Terry lobbed a great ball to a sprinting Pentecost on a wheel route for a first down as well as a big gain. An Emmendorfer quarterback sneak would halve the Cheboygan lead. At halftime below the bridge, Marquette trailed 20–13.
Control of the game shifted in the second half as the Marquette defense was able to hold Cheboygan at bay while the offensive line plowed open lanes for Marquette’s skilled rushing tandem. In the third quarter, bruising back Kasaim Koonala scored two rushing touchdowns to give the Red & White a 27–20 lead going into the fourth quarter.
To kick off the final frame, Cheboygan strung together three key stops to set up an MSHS punting situation. L’Huillier had a different plan in mind as he re-opened his bag of tricks. What looked to be a Josh Bullock punt turned into another trick play, as Koonala took the snap at upback before finding a slanting Colin Terry for a big first down reception to keep the momentum on Marquette’s side. Minutes later, Koonala’s passing prowess would pay off as he collected his third rushing TD of the second half to give the visitors from the UP a two-touchdown lead for the first time in the contest. Unsurprisingly, the well-coached Chiefs came back in the fourth quarter as Derek Ferris demonstrated his future collegiate abilities to cut the score to 34–27. Later in the game as time ticked down, the Cheboygan side was driving to tie or possibly win the game on a last second drive, but Terry broke up a threatening pass to help Marquette claim back-to-back victories for the first time in three seasons by a 34–27 score.
This battle below the Bridge represented a complete showing from Marquette, proving they could create big plays but also that they could overcome any deficit they were presented with. Kasaim Koonala continued to serve as a reliable running option in short yardage situations but also showed off his speed during his three touchdown performance in Cheboygan. Coach L’Huillier showed he was bold and creative in drawing up the wide receiver pass and fake punt to keep momentum on Marquette’s side. Looking forward, there was no doubt that back-to-back victories gave Marquette a good deal of momentum for the following week’s Great Northern Conference battle vs. Escanaba, a very personal game for the Marquette seniors.
Next week: Escanaba comes to William Hart Stadium for one of the biggest games of the season.
