(Chelsea Update would like to thank Todd Ortbring for this story and photos.)
After three straight tough loses, the Chelsea junior varsity football team had one of its best weeks of practice leading into its game with league rival Ypsilanti. The result was a convincing 48-0 thrashing of the Phoenix by the Bulldogs.
“We did have an excellent week of practice, said Coach Chris Orlandi. “We went back to basics and reduced the playbook a little in the hopes of simplifying things and improving confidence.
“Our defense has played well most of the season so it was great for the offense to have some success too,” he said, adding, “This was a great team win.”
This was a breakout game for the Chelsea offense as it scored early and often, and did not punt all night. It also gave Chelsea kicker Dom Triveline a chance to show off his talents as he was 6 for 6 on extra points and 2 for 2 on field goals for the evening.
Good defense and a few lucky bounces gave the Dawgs great field position throughout the first quarter. After a muffed punt snap, Chelsea capitalized with a 5-yard drive capped by a 1-yard sneak by QB Cam Starkey. The point after gave Chelsea a 7-0 lead half way though the first quarter.
The Bulldogs got the ball back after Bryan Evans fell on a Phoenix fumble and two plays later running back Scott Moore scampered in from 13 yards out and the rout was on.
Chelsea’s defense did its part and was able to contain the speedy Ypsilanti running backs while the secondary did not allow a pass completion all half. The Bulldogs got the ball back on downs with great field possession early in the second quarter and Starkey burrowed into the end zone from 2 yards out for his second TD.
The extra point made it 21-0. With just under 2 minutes until half, freshman Jacob Rhodes blocked an Ypsilanti punt. Grant Ortbring scooped up the lose ball and returned it to the Bulldog 10-yard line.
Two plays later Scott Moore scored on a 3-yard run and with just over a minute to play, capping the score before half…or did it? The Ypsilanti offense quickly turned the ball over on downs to Chelsea instead of running out the clock and the Bulldogs 2-minute offense (or 1 minute in this case) moved the ball to the 12-yard line with 2 seconds left. That’s when Triveline nailed a 29-yard field goal sending the visitors into the locker room leading 31-0.
The third quarter saw a continued dominance from the Bulldogs. Chelsea took the second half kick and marched down the field at will behind the running of Dustin Beckett, Kenny McDowell, and Jeremy Policht.
Freshman tight end Jake Scheese made the best of his first game on JV making several big receptions in traffic. Chelsea scored on its initial second half drive on a 10-yard run by Beckett. Not to be outdone, the Dawg defense stopped the next two Ypsilanti drives by recovering Phoenix fumbles each time. Moore jumped on both lose balls.
The second recovery lead to a 31-yard field goal by Triveline extending the score to 41-0, and a running clock.
Chelsea’s final score came late in the game when Daniel Klink bolted around end 15 yards for his first score of the season making the score 48-0. Before being knocked out of the game, Starkey was an impressive 7 for 7 passing for 100 yards.
The tandem of running backs chalked up over 160 yards rushing. Scheese lead all receivers with 3 catches for 61 yards.
The defensive charge was lead by Ortbring, who helped cause three fumbles, had five tackles for losses and a fumble recovery. Moore was a leading tackler in addition to recovering two fumbles. Kolton Savery also recovered two fumbles.
Rhodes and Ben Whitesall were the other leading tacklers on the night. Also contributing to the shutout on defense with multiple tackles were Paul Heck, Ryan Eisley, Savery, Quinn Kelly, Jacob Dobberstein (also several pass break-ups), Tyler Lukomski, Evans and Tim Johnson.
Chelsea will try to make it two straight when they host the Maples of Adrian in a league contest next week.
