Saturday, November 26, 2005

Caledonia Is Michigan's Division 3 Football Champion

In an incredible display of punch-mouth football, The Fighting Scots of Caledonia completely dominated the previously undefeated Haslett Vikings 27-6 tonight at Ford Field in Detroit.

However, the game wasn't as close as the final score indicated. Caledonia set the tone of the game when it took the opening kickoff and marched downfield in a drive that almost depleted the first quarter. Up 7-0 after that opening drive, Haslett, in their only possession of the first quarter, went three and out.

By the time the dust had settled on the first half, the sun had set on the Vikings. Behind 20-0 at the end of the first half, Haslett had 16 total yards rushing and passing on four possessions. Throw in a couple penalties and Haslett had netted one positive yard from scrimmage.

The Wishbone offense used by Caledonia seemed to offer more than the touted defense of Haslett could handle. Runs of seven yards plus were common, with any of the three backfield mates capable of ripping off a huge run. Time after time the DBs of Haslette were forced to make tackles down field.

Soon into the third quarter fatigue set in on the Viking defense, having spent twice the time on the field as Caledonia's D. Even having a Caledonia touchdown negated by a penalty wasn't enough to give Haslett the spark they needed. Caledonia made it 27-0 before a late Haslett TD and missed PAT provided the final margin.

The lowlight of the day was when a couple of misbehaving urchins sneaked away from their parents with a sign in a shameless attempt to get on television. Jake Gascho and his friend Craig, whom I schooled in basketball last summer, held up a FSN sign (the game was televised on Fox Sports Network's Detroit affiliate) knowing full well that some high school dropout cameraman, probably from Ohio, would notice the placard and beam it worldwide over satellite and cable. On the one hand, it is nice knowing that someone in Ohio has been able to find a job with his public education, but this type of pandering should be outlawed! Ya, the little punks got on television but I'll bet it hasn't helped their game any. Mr. and Mrs. Gascho, put a leash on that kid before he ends up in juvie.



Congratulations Luke! Most people can only dream of winning a state championship. You are going to remember this day for the rest of your life.

Update

Finally the Grand Rapids Press has a note. Also, this in the Detroit News.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Dear Kirk Rogers (Rougblogger):

Thank you one last time for your commentary on our very own Caledonia Fighting Scots Football State Champions 2005!!! As we have so much of the year and certainly during this playoff run, we completely controlled and dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Our young men worked hard for a long time and they deserve the accolades they're receiving.

I am so proud of my son Luke (very likely the first and only Gascho in our family tree to play varsity football and he goes out and wins a State Championship) for the hard work he put in all year long. While he would have liked the opportunity to contribute more, our seniors were such a strong and talented class that he understood his role on the team and as his father I was happy with the amount of playing time he did get this year. Many kudos to Coach Burrill and his staff!!!

One last thing I need to address and indeed Mrs G. and myself will take care of this pronto: we will have a long conversation with our angelic son Jake Gascho and explain to him why he will not be allowed to hang out with that Craig Coolman hooligan anymore. My apologies to all that were offended by that purple/gold "Fighting Scots Network" sign. (My little angel was the one on the right that was obviously bullied into helping Craig hold up that sign.)

Thank you again, Rougblogger. God Bless you and God Bless America and God Bless our own little slice of heaven on earth - Sunny Caledonia Michigan!