Sun, Oct 29 – The defending champion Pigskin Hooligans held their much-anticipated season opener on Sunday against the Wamp Rats. The Hooligans featured almost a completely new lineup with great potential while the opposition returned many veteran starters. The team fought hard, but experience paid off for the Wamp Rats as they turned in a stifling defensive effort for a 64-6 win. The Wamp Rats forced 4 turnovers and held the Hooligans to their lowest offensive point total since a 53-6 loss to Ram Rod on November 27, 2007. The Pigskin Hooligans played with a 6-on-7 disadvantage and no subs due to many absent team members. The Hooligans started with Alissa Papsun, co-captain Danielle Thompson, Kaushik Thallpally, Ken Simon, Blake Dean, and co-captain Mike Russell on the field. The Wamp Rats started with the ball and Joel Werner wasted no time hooking up with Harrison Raney in the endzone for an early TD. The Hooligans rotated quarterback on their opening drive as late signee Blake Dean and Ken Simon both saw snaps, but the team would go 3-and-out and punt. Joel Werner then led the Wamp Rats on another scoring drive, this time finding Tyler Tweedale on a deep pass for a 14-0 lead. The Wamp Rats forced a turnover on the next series as Harrison Raney tipped a pass which was intercepted by captain Andrew Ripke for a good return. Facing 3rd and goal from about the 3-yard line they pulled out some trickery – while the Hooligan defense was focused on the threat of a Leah Werner run, Joel Werner tossed a shovel pass to Taylor Kahlstorf to open up a 23-0 lead. The Hooligans would make progress on their next series as Blake Dean highlighted his speed making a few defenders miss, but the team would turn the ball over on downs. The Wamp Rats converted again as captain Andrew Ripke took a short pass from Brandon Bettcher, made a few spin moves, and found a path down the sideline for a touchdown. The Wamp Rats forced a safety on the next possession due to pressure from Joel Werner’s blitz, taking a commanding 31-0 lead. However the Hooligans would gain positive momentum on the ensuing possession – Blake Dean picked off a Tyler Tweedale pass and blazed past the defense for a “pick 6” to get the Hooligans on the scoreboard. Kaushik Thallapally made a nice flag grab for the Hooligans defensively on the next series, but the Wamp Rats would score once more before halftime as Joel Werner connected with Harrison Raney for the second time. The Hooligans trailed 39-6 going into the break. The Hooligans would all make contributions to the team’s effort in the second half. Captain Mike Russell took a short swing pass and eluded several defenders with a few spin moves for about a 5-yard gain. Alissa Papsun made a great flag grab, co-captain Danielle Thompson showed fantastic route running, and Ken Simon and Blake Dean continued to alternate at quarterback. Kaushik Thallapally came up with another flag grab on defense later in the second half. However the Wamp Rats would continue to play great defense and their offense was firing on all cylinders. They forced a punt on the Hooligans’ opening drive of the second half and new quarterback Andrew Ripke found Leah Werner open in the corner of the endzone for a touchdown. Brandon Bettcher then stepped up defensively and made a pick 6 for the Wamp Rats, making the score 56-6. Joel Werner then recovered a fumble on an attempted double-reverse, giving the Wamp Rats a short field which led to Andrew Ripke finding Tyler Tweedale in the endzone. Tyler Tweedale would come up with an interception on the game’s final drive and the Hooligans would fall 64-6. Morgan Raby was present in spirit to cheer on the Hooligans. The game was officiated by the outstanding crew of Brianna Limback, Eric Bug, Nate Gifford, and Tyler Pummell. The Hooligans drop to 0-1 while the Wamp Rats improve to 1-0. The victory was their first non-forfeit win in franchise history, and the Wamp Rats claim the #1 overall rank in the league based on point differential. They had this to say after the game on the milestone: “Soli Deo Gloria! #trusttheprocess". The young Pigskin Hooligans team still showed great promise throughout the match. Many new members received significant playing time, and the team should be strengthened by the arrival of many absent Hooligans next week. We will keep you posted once we know next week’s schedule…ROLL HOOLIGANS! Note: All interceptions listed are on defense.
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Written by Mike Russell
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May 2021
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