(Chelsea Update would like to thank Burrill Strong for the photos in this story.)
On a chilly Senior Night in Jerry Niehaus Stadium, which saw temperatures drop into the 30s by game’s end, Chelsea football pounced on Ann Arbor early, and now carries a 7-1 record into the last regular season game this Friday.
Chelsea won the opening toss, and opted to kick off to start the game. The Christopher Roush kick was fielded by the Pioneer return man, who was immediately swarmed and hammered by Zachary Bennett and others.
Pioneer started at their own 17, and on the first play of the game, senior Trevor Kingsley hit the Pioneer running back hard, caused a fumble, and the Bulldogs took over on the Ann Arbor 20. After a six-yard end around by Bailey Edwards, and a 13-yard carry by Trey Seitz, the Bulldogs had the ball inside the Pioneer one, and a Jack Bush quarterback-keeper made it 6-0 Bulldogs with only 42 seconds gone in the game.
Graham Kuras pulled the extra point attempt, though, and it remained 6-0.
On the ensuing Roush kick-off, the Pioneer return man fumbled, and Chelsea took over on the Ann Arbor 20 again. This time, however, Chelsea turned the ball right back over to Pioneer two plays later on a Bush interception, which was returned all the way to the Bulldog 33 yard line.
Pioneer fumbled the opening snap of the drive, but recovered, and the strong Bulldog defense forced a fourth-and-8, and Ann Arbor went for it from the Chelsea 31. The Pioneer quarterback was swarmed, and brought down by defensive end Quinn Kelly and defensive tackle Tyler McTaggert, and Chelsea had the ball back again.
By this time, it was apparent that the Pioneer defense was no slouch either, and Chelsea was forced to punt after losing yardage and ending up with a fourth-and-21.
Pioneer then put together their only scoring drive of the game. After their first three plays, Pioneer had a fourth-and-4, but this time converted on a short pass. The visitors had the ball on the Chelsea 32, and Pioneer loaded up the right side of the line for a sweep, and another first down. Two plays later, with a second-and-6 from the Bulldog nine, Pioneer loaded up the right again, and a quarterback sweep to the right gave Pioneer a touchdown with 1:38 remaining in the first quarter. A successful extra point attempt made it 7-6 Pioneer.
Edwards took the kick-off back to the Pioneer 38. The Chelsea offense got the ball down to the Pioneer 15, but then got hit with a holding penalty, and ended up with a fourth-and-three on the Ann Arbor eight. Kuras kicked a 25-yard field goal to put the Bulldogs up 9-7, and that’s where the score stayed.
Chelsea forced a Pioneer punt on Pioneer’s next possession, but was pinned back on their own six to start the next drive. The Bulldog offense was stopped cold, and Kuras came on to punt, and this time, Pioneer fumbled the punt, and Chelsea took over at midfield.
Chelsea ended up punting again, and that was the end of the first half.
The second half was a battle for field position, and the Bulldog defense and special teams won that battle. As temperatures dropped, neither offense could move the ball, and both defenses played tough.
On their first possession of the half, Chelsea was forced to punt, but pinned Pioneer back inside their own 1 yard line.
For the remainder of the game, the ball went back and fourth, with Pioneer struggling deep in their own territory, and Chelsea with the ball near midfield.
Pioneer threatened on their last possession of the game,though. Starting on their own 15, Pioneer worked hard to get the ball up near midfield. Senior strong safety Jordan Haber made a terrific hit for a loss, but Ann Arbor picked up another first down. Then, with time running out, and Pioneer facing a fourth-and-13 from their own 45, senior Justice Staton nailed the Pioneer receiver, the pass was incomplete, and Chelsea took over on downs, and ran out the clock.
The Bulldogs last won a game 9-7 in 1987 against Milan.
