(Chelsea Update would like to thank Burrill Strong for the photos in this gallery. For more of his work, please click here. )
Offense wins games. Defense wins championships. So the saying goes.
Two great defenses squared off at Jerry Neihaus field last Friday night in the Division 4 regional championships game – and the winner played the better defense as Country Day ended the Bulldogs season with a 21-0 shutout.
The contest was actually much closer than the score indicated. Both teams finished the game with less than 160 yards of total offense. The game came down to a few big plays, a few keys turnovers and missed opportunities by the Bulldogs.
The first quarter saw both teams struggle to move the ball. Chelsea’s senior punter Grant Ortbring was able to pin the Yellowjackets deep into their own territory with several long punts. Chelsea was first to mount any kind of offensive momentum as the Bulldogs drove down to the Country Day 15-yard line but were forced to attempt a field goal. Noah van Reesema’s 37-yard try was just wide. Chelsea’s next possession was stopped on an interception deep in Country Day territory.
The visitors finally broke the scoreless tie on a 32-yard touchdown pass with 2 minutes left in the half. The Bulldog defender had good coverage but slipped and fell allowing the receiver to get open. The first half ended with Country Day up 7-0.
Chelsea opened the second half on offense but a promising drive was stopped when a Yellowjacket defender intercepted a pass and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was good increasing the Country Day lead to 14-0.
The Bulldogs finally got a break when Jordan Haber picked off a pass near mid field giving the home team good field position. Chelsea drove down inside the 15-yard line but was stopped on 4th down turning the ball over to Country Day. Once again, the Bulldog defense forced a 3 and out and the offense marched deep into Yellowjacket territory again. This time a 4th down pass into the end zone just missed connecting and Chelsea turned the ball over on downs, and turned to its defense again.
As it did most of the night, Country Day was unable to move the ball and a short punt gave Chelsea good field position. On 4th and a yard the Bulldogs QB sneak appeared to have given Chelsea a first down but the football was knocked out before the play was stopped and was then recovered by the Yellowjackets at their own 40-yard line.
Country Day was able to move the ball over mid field but was again forced to punt. Chelsea’s punt returner mishandled the return and fumbled at the Bulldog 7-yard line where Country Day recovered. Two plays later, the Yellowjackets sealed the game with a 3-yard TD run making the score 21-0.
Chelsea finished a most successful season at 9-3 and District Champions – a tremendous turn-around from its 2-7 finish of last year. Hat’s off to the senior class for their hard work, dedication and great leadership this season. Chelsea graduates 23 seniors – 12 on defense and 11 on offense. Meanwhile, the team dressed 46 underclassmen Friday – the future of Chelsea football looks very bright.
The seniors leading the defense Friday were Grant Ortbring, Mason Bailey, Bryan Evans, Colton Savery and Jacob Dobberstien (all were named All-SEC). Senior leaders making All-SEC on offense include Ty Nelson, Michael Smith, Jacob Gaken, and Daniel Lindauer.
Senior cheerleaders who have supported the football team all year include: Claudia Arcangeli, Brieanna Hess, Reiley Merrill, Lexi Ray, Victoria Dennis, Claudia Giannone, Megan Heydlauff, Mindy Moore and Nicole Stegemann.
