The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Chelsea runs by Ypsilanti
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: August 30, 2007
Under overcast skies and a constant drizzle, Chelsea football opened its 2007 season defeating Ypsilanti 26-14 in the Big Day Prep Showdown III at Eastern Michigan's Rynearson Stadium last Saturday.
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"I'm proud of the guys," said Chelsea coach Brad Bush. "We persevered against a good team."
The Bulldogs (1-0) ran up and down the field against the Braves (0-1) rushing for 262 yards on 46 carries. In contrast, Ypsilanti had 123 yards on the ground on 28 tries.
Ypsilanti scored first on a 26-yard touchdown pass to senior Marvon Sanders from sophomore quarterback Terrence Moore. In what would be the first of many self-inflicted wounds, the Braves' score was called back because of a penalty.
After turning the ball over on downs a few plays later, Chelsea needed one play to score as senior Chris Schmelz sprinted for a 68-yard touchdown run. With Michael Roberts' extra point, the Bulldogs led 7-0 with 10:13 left in the second quarter.
After a Sanders interception gave Ypsilanti the ball at its own 20-yard line, Moore found junior Daniel Spencer four plays later for a 20-yard TD pass. Sanders caught the ensuing two-point conversion pass from Moore and with 1:39 remaining in the first half, the Braves led 8-7.
In the third quarter, with both clubs struggling to break free offensively, Sanders was kicked out of the game for committing a personal foul with 7:55 left in the frame. Arguably Ypsilanti's best all around player who, not only lines up both ways for the Braves, but also is the team's punter, Sanders' ejection would cost Ypsilanti shortly thereafter.
A few plays after Sanders' removal from the game, Chelsea struck pay dirt as senior quarterback Jeff Adams connected with Schmelz for a 40-yard touchdown pass giving the Bulldogs a 13-8 advantage with 6:53 left in the third quarter.
On its next series, Ypsilanti was backed up into its own end zone forced to punt. With the back-up punter in the game due to Sanders' ejection, Chelsea brought the rush and promptly forced a fumble which was pounced on by Scott Rhodes in the end zone for a touchdown.
With the score, the Bulldogs increased their lead to 19-8 with 5:11 remaining in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, sophomore Nick Hill scored on an 8-yard run up the middle. With Roberts' extra point kick, Chelsea upped its advantage to a commanding 26-8 with 5:45 left in the game.
With 2:24 remaining, senior Martez Dykes scored on a 1-yard TD dive for the contest's final margin.
"I thought we were more physical and a better football team," said Ypsilanti coach Dave Poole. "Maybe a loss will humble us."
For the game, the Bulldogs finished with 382 yards of total offense, while Ypsilanti had 230 total yards.
Adams finished 9-of-15 for 120 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Moore ended up 10-of-20 for 107 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
Hill finished with a game-high 114 yards rushing on 22 carries.
"The line blocked really well," said Hill. "We came out strong, made some adjustments at halftime and ended up winning the game."
Schmelz added 72 yards on five tries, while Adams had 50 yards on 11 rushes and senior Donnie Reidel 24 yards on three attempts.
Dykes ended up with 93 yards rushing on 22 carries to lead the Braves.
Receiving-wise, Schmelz had two receptions for 40 yards, while Reidel had two catches for 32 yards, Hill two catches for 17 yards, Michael Lenneman one reception for 17 yards and Jake Galarowic one catch for eight yards for Chelsea.
Sanders had four receptions for 52 yards to pace Ypsilanti.
Defensively, Stu Mann, Rhodes and Galarowic each had one interception for the Bulldogs.
Dean Roberts led Chelsea with five tackles. Taylor Hopkins and Galarowic each had four stops, while Rodney Ostrowski and Mann each had three tackles for the Bulldogs.
While Bush was pleased with a win, he said his squad would have to improve as the season goes along.
"Obviously, we have a lot of things to correct," he said regarding Chelsea's five turnovers. "We have to hold onto the ball. It's that simple."
Chelsea next hosts Temperance Bedford Friday at 7 p.m. in the season's home opener at Jerry Niehaus Field.
JV Football
Chelsea's JV football team defeated host Ypsilanti 17-14 last Thursday and Friday. Because of weather conditions, the game had to be stopped Thursday and completed Friday.
Zack Giller scored on a 1-yard run and Tyler Zegarzewski kicked a 31-yard field goal and intercepted two passes to lead the Bulldogs (1-0).
Defensively, Evan Grau, Ryan Smallwood and Trevor Mattson played well for Chelsea.
The Bulldogs next travel to Temperance Bedford for a game Thursday at 7 p.m.
Freshman Football
Chelsea's freshman football team defeated host Gibraltor Carlson 53-0 last Thursday.
Ben Avila led the Bulldogs (1-0) scoring three touchdowns, including a blocked punt for a score and a 25-yard run.
Logan Yordanich added two TDs, including a 40-yard interception return for a score and a 30-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Also scoring for Chelsea were Matt Gillespie, Andrew Koch and Joey Newland.
Koch led the Bulldogs defensively with 10 tackles.
Chelsea next visits Temperance Bedford for a contest Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
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