Bulldogs Escape a Close Call

Delhi was given its biggest scare all season, as an inspired Oxford Blackhawk team, dressing just 18 players, came to town ready to disappoint the highly ranked Bulldogs. Delhi emerged victorious in the end, however, with a 7-6 victory.

Delhi struggled throughout the game to move the ball. Despite a stat line that shows a respectable 276 yards of offense, the Bulldogs were constantly in situations of either punting, or going for it on 4^th down. And Delhi struggled most in those very situations, missing on several 4^th down tries, and twice having difficulties getting the snap firmly into the hands of the punter, one of which led to the Oxford TD. Delhi’s running game mostly netted just short gains for most of the day, while several QB sacks kept the passing game in check.

Neither Oxford nor Delhi did much in the first quarter, as Delhi pretty much stopped the Oxford attack cold, and, while Delhi did manage a bit better, the Bulldogs didn’t get very far either. Oxford would strike first in the 2^nd quarter. A high punt snap gave Oxford great field position inside Delhi’s 31. Oxford then pulled out the gadgets, as tailback Paul Wonka took a quick pitch to his right, then pulled up and lofted a pass down the field to Jamie Smolcnop for the TD. The 2 point conversion attempt did not even get close, as Delhi continued the strong defense, but eyebrows were starting to raise a bit, as Delhi was facing their biggest deficit all year (the only other deficit in 2009 was a brief 8-7 count against Harpursville in week 4), and the offense was struggling.

The Bulldogs seemed to wake up a bit, however, as they brought a very nice drive down the field on great running by Jack Fletcher and Rich Ennist. They were able to complete the task, as Ennist pounded it in for the Delhi TD. Rune Tybirk’s kick gave Delhi the lead at 7-6, and people were breathing a bit easier, given the team’s history as a slow starter.

The start of the 2^nd half saw Delhi lose that momentum, however, as the Bulldogs went 3 and out after receiving the opening kickoff. The situation progressed further to the negative as a mishandled punt snap gave Oxford the ball at Delhi’s 30. Delhi’s defense then started to become a bit softer as well, and Oxford began to pick up some first downs. Operating out of a spread formation, Oxford got some first downs on passes, and then was able to get some running room as well, as QB John Wonka and TB Paul Wonka took advantage of the widespread Delhi defense. Oxford moved all the way down to the Delhi 5 yard line before the drive stalled on downs.

Delhi was able to get the ball out of the red zone, moving out to near their own 40 yard line. Delhi then faced a 4^th down and 2, and given the previous issues on punt snaps, Delhi decided to let the running game try to get the first down. The run came up short, and Oxford was given a relatively short field once again. And once again Oxford was able to find some holes in the defense, as they advanced the ball a 2^nd time to Delhi’s 5 before John Wonka’s QB sneak on 4^th a very short could not convert. Now in the 4^th quarter, Delhi had dodged 2 deadly bullets.

Delhi seemed to turn the tide on the next play, as Jack Fletcher came up with a huge run, taking the ball from the Delhi 5 all the way to the Oxford 8. The Bulldogs would fumble on the next play however, and Oxford was given another opportunity.

On 2^nd and long, things were looking up, as the Oxford ball carrier was dropped for a big loss near the goal line, but a horse collar tackle penalty was Delhi’s next mistake, and changed the situation from 3^rd and 18 to 2^nd and 3. Oxford would convert once again, and started another march down the field. This time they wouldn’t get any closer than the Delhi 32 before the defense again stiffened and stopped another QB sneak on 4^th and short.

With time winding down, things seemed to be in Delhi’s hands, but once again, the offense could not seem to move the ball. The Bulldogs brought it out to the 38 yard line before facing another 4^th and 2. Once again, with all the punt snapping troubles, Delhi decided to try to go for it, and once again they were denied.

With a short clock remaining, Oxford made one last gasp at it, but the Delhi defense was able to come up with a huge interception. Delhi then got one more first down on a nifty run by Anthony Salerno before running the clock out.

Delhi’s playoff destiny will be determined over the next 2 weeks with games against 4-2 Seton and 5-1 BG.

Delhi 7, Oxford 6

Second Quarter:

Oxford – Jamie Smolcnop 31 pass from Paul Wonka (run failed)

Delhi – Rich Ennist 2 run (Rune Tybirk kick)

Delhi							Oxford
Rushing	Attempts	Yards	Ave	TD			Rushing	Attempts	Yards	Ave	TD
Jack Fletcher	24	163	6.8	0			John Wonka	12	31	2.6	0
Rich Ennist	13	53	4.1	1			Paul Wonka	6	6	1.0	0
Anthony Salerno	7	25	3.6	0			Booker Davis	5	4	0.8	0
JJ Darling	10	20	2.0	0			Jeremy Nelson	3	0	0.0	0
Totals	54	261	4.8	1			Totals	26	41	1.6	0
Receiving	Number	Yards	Ave	TD			Receiving	Number	Yards	Ave	TD
Zach Newkerk	1	15	15.0	0			Jeremy Nelson	3	87	29.0	0
JJ Darling	1	0	0.0	0			Jamie Smolcnop	4	61	16.3	1
Totals	2	15	7.5	0			Booker Davis	1	11	11.0	0
							Paul Wonka	1	6	6.0	0
Passing	Comp	Att	Yards	TD	INT	CmpPct	Totals	9	165	18.8	1
Anthony Salerno	2	2	15	0	0	1.000
Totals	2	2	15	0	0	1.000	Passing	Comp	Att	Yards	TD	INT	CmpPct
							John Wonka	8	22	134	0	1	0.364
Scoring	Rush TD	Rec TD	2 PT	PAT	FG	Points	Paul Wonka	1	1	31	1	0	1.000
Rich Ennist	1	0	0	0	0	6	Totals	9	23	165	1	1	0.391
Rune Tybirk	0	0	0	1	0	1
Totals	1	0	0	1	0	7
Defense	Tackles	Assists	INT	Fum Rec	TD
Rich Ennist	6	3	0	0	0
Kevin Oconnell	6	0	0	0	0
Ethan Sackett	5	2	0	0	0
Shawn Neumann	5	1	0	0	0
Jack Fletcher	4	2	0	0	0
Martin Cole	4	0	0	0	0
Zach Newkerk	3	3	0	0	0
Garrett Ellis	3	1	1	0	0
Jacob Sackett	3	1	0	0	0
Michael Thomas	2	1	0	0	0
Curt Beall	1	0	0	0	0
John MacNaught	1	0	0	0	0
Christopher Payne	1	0	0	0	0
Totals	44	14	1	0	0