A “bend, but do not break” defense kept Wayland close Friday night in its season opening football game at Hamilton. But in the end, the host Hawkeyes prevailed 16-6.
The Wildcat defensive unit spent too much time on the field in the first quarter and twice stopped Hamilton four yards away from the end zone. The home team took the opening kickoff at its own 10 and marched down the field before fumbling away the football just four yards from pay dirt.
But Wayland’s offensive effort stalled and the defense came up with another goal line stand from four yards out, this time at the conclusion of a shorter, 55-yard drive. The Hawks’ first drive had covered 86 yards.
After an intercepted pass at the 15-yard line, Hamilton finally got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter when quarterback Quentin Soerens went into the end zone from three yards out. Brant Goodpaster kicked the extra point.
The Wildcats took advantage of a roughing the kicker penalty that revived their drive and got a 22-yard run by halfback Ian Thompson and a pass to Brady Dobry from QB Dustin Loomans to get the ball to the 20. Loomans, with only seven seconds remaining in the half, hooked up with Dobry for a 20-yard TK strike along the left sideline.
So Wayland trailed only 7-6 at intermission.
Much of that classic “bend, but do not break” defensive performance continued for Wayland in the third and fourth quarters, and though effective, it enable the Hawkeyes to dominate the time of possession.
Soerens broke loose for a 41-yard scamper late in the final period to set up Wayland’s final goal line stand on a fourth down and three at the 4-yard line. Soerens was stopped a yard short of the goal line and less than a yard from a first down.
But the ‘Cats on their first play were caught in the end zone for a safety, handing the Hawks a 9-6 lead and forcing a free kick from their own 20. Hamilton scored the game’s only other touchdown shortly afterward and put the home team up by the final margin of 10 points.
Two huge highlights on defense were turned in by Thompson, who came up with a six-yard sack and delivered a 56-yard punt.
But the Wayland offense struggled throughout the ballgame, except for the heroic stretch in the waning moments of the first half.
The Wildcats will have their first home game of the season at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, against Coopersville.
