Sunday, November 9, 2014

...11.9.14...

Long TD pass in final minute lifts Pine River over Meridian

Pine River improved to 8-3 while claiming its first-ever district championship a week after earning its first-ever playoff victory. The Bucks advance to face fifth-ranked Boyne City (11-0) in next week’s regional final, while Meridian ends at 8-3.

 “We’re starting to get used to this,” Martin said with a big smile. “That’s three weeks in a row of just wild second halves (for us). The kids just never get down. They just stick right in there in these (close) games, and things just happen to keep going our way.”

 Meridian had the ball deep in Pine River territory early in the fourth when the wildest play of the game — and possibly the wildest play of the Mustangs’ season — occurred.
On first down at the Pine River 28, Petre passed to Smith, but the ball went through Smith’s hands and ended up being intercepted by McDonald. McDonald snaked his way downfield for an amazing 58-yard return but ended up getting stripped of the ball by Meridian’s Jack Brady at the Mustangs’ 27.
A personal foul penalty on Pine River after the play gave Meridian the ball back at its own 42, and the Mustangs were in business.
Taking over with 8:30 left in the game, Meridian proceeded to march 58 yards on 15 plays — overcoming penalties for holding, illegal blocking, and a false start — and eventually scored on Petre’s 5-yard TD pass to O’Boyle with 1:22 to go.
O’Boyle attempted to run the ball in for a 2-point conversion on a fake kick but was stopped well short of the goal line, leaving the game tied at 27-27.
On the second play of the ensuing possession, Powell hit a wide-open Park over the middle on a post route, and Park took it the rest of the way for the game-winning 47-yard TD with 50 seconds left.
“My gosh, that (scoring drive by Meridian preceding Park’s TD) seemed like it was 30 plays long. That was outstanding for our kids (on defense) to hang in there at the end and get it done,” Martin said. “ ... It was very fitting for them to be on the field and get that last stop at the end.”
fred kelly -Midland Daily News
football photos courtesy of Tonya Holmes's Photography





"an invisible thread connects those who are destined
to meet regardless of time, place, and circumstance.
the thread may stretch or tangle.
but it will never break"
~ancient chinese proverb

these boys.
first in pine river history.
made the playoffs.
and won.
these boys.
first in pine river history.
to go to districts.
these boys.
are district champs.
these boys.
are forever connected.
our proud community.
is connected to them.
by an invisible thread.
that will never break.
enjoy the moments.
welcome to coffee hour.
welcome to this Sunday morning.
just BE.
robin.


1 comment:

colleen said...

Love that snow flipped petal and the close up of snow fluff.