Sun, Nov 4 - The Pigskin Hooligans opened the 2018 season with a doubleheader played on the turf at the brand new Thunder Sports Complex. The Hooligans faced off first against the White Choppas in the 1:30 game. The game featured several lead changes, but a late touchdown from Elijah Abenth with under 15 seconds remaining handed the Hooligans a 58-51 loss. The Pigskin Hooligans won the coin toss and began the game on defense. Ethan Vosburg started at quarterback for the White Choppas and found Grant Steinborn on the side of the endzone for an early touchdown. Luke Diekevers received the nod at QB for the Hooligans and led a solid opening drive, but an illegal forward pass on 4th down gave the ball back to the White Choppas. The Choppas capitalized as Ryan Abenth caught a pass near the sideline, hesitated, and then ran the length of the field. With the Hooligans trailing 16-0, Luke Diekevers fired a deep pass to Gabe Farr to set the offense up in the redzone. Diekevers then tossed a short pass to Mikayla Hilton for a critical 9-pt female touchdown. The Hooligan defense then made an impact as Gabe Farr deflected a pass which was intercepted by Luke Diekevers and returned for a “pick 6”. The Hooligans forced a turnover on downs on the next series. Derek Nelson made solid pass coverage on 3rd down and Mikayla Hilton made a great play on the ball on 4th down. The Hooligans then took their first lead of the game as Luke Diekvers found Gabe Farr for a deep touchdown. A 2-pt conversion from the speedy Kit Martin put the team up 23-16. Kordell McNeal made a great defensive play near the end of the half, but Ethan Vosburg connected with Elijah Abenth for a touchdown before time expired. The Hooligans headed to the break with a 23-22 lead. After starting the game on defense, the Hooligans began the 2nd half on offense. Kordell McNeal caught a swing pass and used shifty juke moves to run for a touchdown. The White Choppas responded as Ethan Vosburg connected with Elijah Abenth for a touchdown and 2-pt conversion to make it a 31-30 game. Kit Martin made some equally shifty moves to advance the Hooligan offense on the next series, and Luke Diekevers fired over the middle to Mikayla Hilton for a 9-pt touchdown. Grant Steinborn switched to QB for the White Choppas and found Ethan Vosburg for a touchdown and 2-pt conversion, making it a 40-38 Hooligan lead. Momentum shifted when Grant Steinborn came up with an interception for the White Choppas. The turnover led to Ethan Vosburg hooking up deep with Chris Lowe to take a 44-40 lead. The Hooligans made a promising drive into the redzone, but the White Choppas defense made a stand and forced a turnover on downs. Ethan Vosburg connected again with Chris Lowe to extend the White Choppas’ lead to 50-40. However, the Hooligans put together a late drive and took the lead. Kordell McNeal took a knee at the 1-yard line, and a power run from Mikayla Hilton along with a 2-pt conversion from McNeal made it a 51-50 Hooligans lead with 15 seconds remaining. The Hooligans needed one last defensive stand to secure the win, but the White Choppas were up to the task. Quinn Erway switched to quarterback and fired a deep pass down the left sideline to Elijah Abenth behind the Hooligans’ secondary. With 4 seconds left, the Hooligans made one last attempt with multiple laterals but time ran out and the White Choppas claimed a 58-51 win. John Psarouthakis was at the game to cheer on the Hooligans before playing in his own contest. The Hooligans’ record dropped to 1-1 with the loss (all teams received an automatic 14-0 forfeit win over Wakanda). The team had a short turnaround as they went on to face the Wamp Rats in the 2:30 contest.
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Written by Mike Russell
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May 2021
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