Game 7: Tallmadge 19, Ravenna 0

B Team Blue did not disappoint the home crowd as they end their home portion of the 2006 season with a 19-0 shutout of the visiting Rams. This game was punctuated by some great defensive play but also a dominating offense which controlled the ball most of the game.

Tallmadge was first with the ball and it took only five plays before Kane Wolfe scored his first touchdown of the day. This on a first and ten play on the Ravenna 38 yard line:



An unsuccesful extra point attempt gave the Devils a 6-0 lead.

On the next series, the Rams were able to penetrate into Tallmadge territory. However, on third down and five to go from the Devils' 41 yard line, Dallas Hukill stepped up and dropped the Ravenna ball carrier for a three yard loss:



On the very next play, the swarming Blue Devils' defense pushed the Rams back another five yards, and gave the ball back to the offensive unit:



Unfortunately, the Tallmadge offense went four and out on this series as the first quarter came to an end with the Devils leading by a 6-0 score.

On their next possession, Ravenna was able to mount an impressive drive downfield. During this drive, a number of B Team Blue defensive players made some outstanding plays. The first was a great tackle at the Tallmadge 41 by Kane Wolfe:



and another tackle by Colten Tomaiko at the Tallmadge 39 yard line:



On third down and eight from the Tallmadge 37, the Ravenna running back slipped away for a run downfield. Eighteen yards later, he was met by Kane, who made a touchdown saving tackle at the 19 yard line:



This seemed to rattle the Rams' offense and they again began to sputter as they were first hit at the 17 by Harrison Crawford and Matt Gray on a second and eight play:



and then with 2:31 left to go in the first half on a fourth down and eight at the 17, Bobby Clark came up with a key tackle to end the Ravenna threat:



On the very next play, Kane Wolfe ran to the Tallmadge 33 yard line for a quick first down. This set up B Team Blue's second touchdown of the day. Again, the call was to Kane Wolfe off tackle, and he came up big with a 67 yard scoring run as he reached his 100-yard rushing mark of the day:



Nick Carey made sure conversion was good and B Team Blue now led by a score of 13-0.



Kane sent the ensuing kickoff over the heads of the Ravenna players and pinned the Rams back at their own 29 yard line. The Rams were able to complete a pass during the next series, but were also met with some big hits from B Team Blue defenders:



and on third down and ten yards to go from the Ravenna 31, the Rams met up with a swarming defense, closing the first half with a Tallmadge lead of 13-0.



To start the second half, Ravenna again began moving the ball into Tallmadge territory. However, on third and three from the Tallmadge 33 yard line, the defense forces the Rams to fumble and Andrew Francesconi beat his man to the ball, turning the ball over to B Team Blue!



The next offensive series saw the first penalty of the game at the 1:53 mark of the third quarter. This was an offsides call against the Devils as they went four and out on this series.

As the fourth quarter got underway, Colton Stricker had what most of the crowd felt was an interception of a Ravenna pass at the Ravenna 43 yard line:



Unfortunately, the refs saw it differently but the Rams were still unable to move the ball and B Team Blue's offense saw themselves with another chance to score beginning at the Ravenna 36 yard line. Three plays later, a facemask penalty against the Rams gave the Devils a first down and goal at the 9 yard line. The Rams' defense stiffened, but even with an offsides penalty against Tallmadge, Kane Wolfe capped off his three touchdown, 100+ game with a fourth and goal dash from the 9 yard line:



Once again, the extra point failed, but B Team Blue had all but sealed the victory at the 1:56 mark of the fourth quarter.

The Rams had not given up and decided to give it another shot. Unfortunately, B Team Blue's defense sniffed out the trick play and Jeffrey Natcher hit the halfback as he was about to throw, causing a fumble and recovering the ball!



A great defensive game by B Team Blue as they held the Rams scoreless and raised the team record to 5-2. The Devils' offensive line completely dominated the battle in the trenches, led by a growling, barking, intimidating Joey Marfy. Somewhere in Ravenna, Rams are having nightmares of #58 coming towards them! Sleep tight little Rams, sleep tight...

Next week, the 2006 season comes to a close as B Team Blue travels to Kent to take on the Rough Riders. Please arrive at the field by 4:50pm. Game time is 5:45pm.