×

A frustrating defeat

Banged up Wildcats struggle against TC Central

News Photo by Jonny Zawacki Alpena’s Kody Bertrand (left) deflects a pass away from Traverse City Central wide receiver Preston Briggs (10) during the second quarter of a Big North Conference football game on Saturday at Thirlby Field in Traverse City.

TRAVERSE CITY–The wear and tear of a long football season has gotten to the Alpena Wildcats.

Alpena entered Saturday’s Big North Conference game against Traverse City Central shorthanded and things only got worse as the Wildcats kept getting banged up and dropped their fifth consecutive game, losing to Central 42-6 at Thirlby Field.

The Wildcats’ offense was stagnant on Saturday as Central loaded the box with a game plan to stuff the Alpena rushing attack and did so to near perfection.

Alpena (2-5) failed to convert a fourth down and one yard to go on its opening possession and turned the ball over at midfield.

Central wasted little time moving the ball at will and was able to spread out the Wildcats’ defense, picking them apart on the ground and through the air early.

News Photo by Jonny Zawacki Alpena defender Kody Bertrand (11) tries to prevent Traverse City Central running back Moswen Kirksey (24) from reaching the pylon during the second quarter of a Big North Conference football game on Saturday.

The Trojans needed just four plays to reach pay dirt as Sam Schmitt raced outside on an end around and sprinted down the sideline for a 31 yard touchdown.

Central was just getting started and forced an Alpena punt on the ensuing possession. The Trojans found the end zone again when quarterback Tobin Schwannecke threw an eight yard touchdown to Schmitt.

The Wildcats turned the ball over on downs at their 45 yard line and once again, Central cashed in on the short field. The Trojans needed just one play to put more points on the board when Schwannecke hit a wide open Trey Searles for a 45 yard touchdown, giving the Trojans a 22-0 lead after one quarter.

“Obviously everyone was frustrated and we want to play better and go out and execute at a high level, but at the end of the day, I have to look at what we’re doing and what I’m doing because that’s what it falls back on,” Alpena coach Aaron Sims said. “We have to go back and look at and learn lessons from the film and see what we can take from that. At the end of the day that’s what it’s about and the biggest thing we can take away from this is life is all about no matter what you’re doing, going out and doing whatever it is you choose to do with fanatical effort and that’s what we have to do.”

The rout continued as Central scored on its opening possession of the second quarter and forced the Wildcats to turn the ball over on downs for the third time in four possessions. The Trojans made it 4-for-4, scoring on all four of their possessions as Moswen Kirksey scampered in from three yards out.

News Photo by Jonny Zawacki Alpena linebacker Logan Guthrie (34) prepares to tackle Traverse City Central quarterback Tobin Schwannecke (2) during the first quarter of a Big North Conference football game on Saturday at Thirlby Field in Traverse City.

After trailing 28-0 early in the second quarter, the few bright spots for Alpena came on the defensive side of the ball as the Wildcats were able to force three turnovers on the day. Alpena intercepted two of Schwannecke’s passes as Kody Bertrand and Haydn Goebel each had an interception in the first half. Kelly Stark recovered a fumble in the final minutes of the game, but it wasn’t nearly enough as Central scored two more times in the third quarter and extended the lead to 42-0 as Noah Norton and Schwannecke each added short touchdown runs.

Alpena’s lone touchdown came when Jordan Schultz who muscled his way into the end zone from two yards out.

Alpena was held to just 96 yards of total offense and a first half injury to leading rusher Logan Guthrie didn’t help the Wildcats. Guthrie carried the ball 12 times for 33 yards and left the game midway through the second quarter and did not return.

Schultz paced Alpena with 50 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown.

The Wildcats will have a quick turnaround, but will play their final two games at home, including playing in front of a homecoming crowd on Friday against Petoskey.

The hope for Alpena is that it can get healthy sooner rather than later.

“At the end of the day we have two games left for the seniors. It’s two games, four halves and eight quarters. My message to them was about how we want that to look and that’s up to them and they’re going to take the lead on this because for the seniors it’s going to be the final games they ever play of high school football,” Sims said. “The good thing is we’re at home for the final two so it’s a good opportunity for us to have a strong two game finish to end the season.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today