Week 3

Friday September 16, 2005

Versus

Mechanicsburg High School

Lightning Strikes

Hook and Ladder meet Chad Halterman. Lightning struck early for the Bears when after holding All-American, Zach Frazer and the Wildcats to a 3-and-out on their first possession, Chad Halterman returned Mechanicsburg's punt 69 yards for Northern's first touchdown. That was essentially all the Bears would need but not all they would get on this break out night. Leading 7-0, Coach Mauck's Bears dominated both sides of the ball. Jimmy Miller and Mike Romagnoli grabbed big chunks of yardage with the ground game while Colby Betz was efficient both running and passing the football.

Defensively, Coach Wise's defense kept the Wildcats frustrated and confused. Using a 3-4 defense which blitzed relentlessly from the outside, the Bears simply hammered Frazer all night long sacking him several times and knocking down his passes and receivers. Lightning struck again when with a 10-0 lead after Brent Brockman's 39 yard field goal, defensive pressure forced Frazer to throw early and his errant pass was picked off by Chad Halterman who returned it 45 yards for the Bears second touchdown. Northern took the 16-0 lead into the locker room at the half.

The 3rd quarter was more of the same with the offense moving the ball at will and the defense simply shutting out Mechanicsburg. Jimmy Miller's hard nosed running ended in the end zone late in the 3rd giving Northern a 22-0 lead. Then came the 4th quarter and even more lightning. This lightning, however, was from the sky. With 9:29 left in the game, the Bears had the ball 1st and goal from the Wildcats 6 yard line. The skies opened up with a blinding rain and spectacular lightning storm. The game officials cleared the field and the stands and both teams headed into their respective locker rooms. At 10:00 p.m., Mechanicsburg's Head Coach Rich Lichtel made the decision that they would wait until 10:30 p.m. If the storm hadn’t passed, the game would be postponed until Saturday morning. At 10:30 p.m., Coach Mauck was called into the official's room with Mechanicsburg's Head Coach and Athletic Director. When he emerged, he gathered the team together to inform them that the Wildcats had conceded. There would be no postponement. Northern wins 22-0. The boys erupted and now head home to face 3-0 Greencastle in what is a huge game both for their playoff futures, and the Colonial Conference.

Congratulations to Mechanicsburg's QB Zach Frazer who was selected to participate in the US Army All-American Bowl to be played on January 7th, 2006 at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio Texas. The game will be broadcast live on NBC. This signifies that Frazer is thought to be one of the best 78 High School football players in the country. He joins Lebanon's Jared Odrick whom the Bears saw in pre-season, and Bishop McDevitt's LeSean McCoy.

Next Week vs. Greencastle at Bostic Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:30 P.M.

Coin toss and instructions.

This is the year.

Three and Out

Chad Halterman ready to break it. All American Zach Frazer.

Jimmy Miller up the middle.

Mike Romagnoli goes through a gaping hole.

Corey holds the line.

Colby gets up after an amazing run which included a jarring stiff arm.

Colby lets it fly.

Frazer over the middle.

Five Wildcats to take down the Hammer.

The Hammer pounding his way close to the End Zone.

39 Yard Field Goal.

Can he break another one.

Mike Watson, Will Coulson, and Todd Wicker beating down the Wildcat Defensive line.

Defensive QB Craig Moose watches Frazer.

And then the rains came……….

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