2007 playoff game #1 summary- Rochester Adams vs. Warren DeLaSalle Pilots

(Game time weather: 57 degrees, slight SE wind, cloudy, chance of rain 70%)


The Highlander Zone was in full playoff mode two hours before the kick-off as parents, friends and family gathered in the North end of the field parking lot to take in the excitement of high school playoff football. Danielle and Ron Gesquire had matters well under control as a record number of the Highlander faithful traded nervous energy and nourishment before the biggest game of the season. Welcome to the “Highlander Zone”.
The Highlanders would face what has been deemed the best 6-3 team from division 2 in the state; The Warren DeLaSalle Pilots.
The Highlanders received the opening kick-off that resulted in a touchback and the ball spotted at the 20-yard line. On 1st down from the trips- left formation, a bullet pass from QB Andrew Waszak to Braden Conner picked up a nice 6-yard gain. On 2nd down, Waszak ran the QB option-keeper for a stunning 34-yard gain. From the 45-yard line Waszak again ripped off a big gain for 18-more precious yards to move the ball deep inside Pilot territory.
The Highlander fans were ecstatic as the offense showed signs that they were prepared for the Pilot defense. A penalty on the Highlander offense for illegal Josh-motion followed by an incomplete pass to Wilson brought up a 4th and 10 dilemma. Senior Alex Verville stood over a 44-yard field goal attempt and hit pay day when the ball sliced through the wind and the uprights; GOOD! That was an outstanding kick for the senior place-kicker!
ADAMS 3 PILOTS 0

The Pilots returned the kick-off to the 23-yard line where junior LB A J Johnson made a nice open-field tackle. The initial possession of the contest was grounded after an incomplete pass followed by a LB’s Aaron McNamara (Mac Attack) and “Big-D” Dan Muncey stuffing the 2nd down running play. Facing 5 Highlander DB’s the Pilots went with a halfback pass that did not surprise the MacFarland coached Highlander defense. The pass was incomplete and the Pilots would punt the ball away on their first possession of the night.
The Highlander offense took over at the 20-yard line after the Pilots punt was downed with no punt return possible by Renel. QB Waszak picked up 3-yards on the 1st play from scrimmage followed by FB Barterian who rambled for a huge 19-yard gain on 2nd down.
From the 41-yard line Waszak ran the option-keeper on 1st and 2nd down. The Pilot defense just didn’t seem to have any answer to stop that play. The result was another 1st down. From the Pilots 47-yard line, it was senior RB Braden Conner’s turn to test the defense when he ran for a hard 7 more yards. On 2nd down Renel showcased his zigzag moves and picked-up 6-yards. A Pilot penalty for offsides resulted in a 1st and 5 situation when Waszak connected with Renel who made a leaping catch for a 10-yard completion and a new-set of downs.
With 5:44 left in the 1st quarter senior co-captain Josh Renel found daylight and blew past the pilot defenders for a 20-yard touchdown run. Senior Tom Casey’s P.A. T kick was “good”.
ADAMS 10 PILOTS 0

The Pilots 2nd possession of the game started from the 20-yard line after Verville’s kick resulted in a touchback. On 1st down DL Zach Trumble stuffed the running play while Mac Attack and “Big D” Muncey teamed-up on 2nd down to limit the Pilots to a 3-yard gain. Facing 3rd and 5 it was Jordon Sanders, Rob Reynolds and Mac Attack that blew-up the play for a loss of 5-yards. The Pilots punt resulted in the ball being spotted at the 35-yard line and good field position for the Highlander offense.
This next possession for the Highlanders ended up with a quick “3 and out” after Renel, Barterian and Conner ran the ball for a combined 7-yards. Josh Patten’s punt with 1:05 left in the 1st quarter was downed by the Pilots at the 26-yard line.
The Pilot offense once again could not crack the Highlanders stingy defense led by Co-captain DE Jake Heinrich, DB Adam Smith (Smitty) and LB McNamara who held the Pilots to 5-yards and an incomplete pass. From the 31-yard line the Pilots punt was fielded by an “over-the-shoulder” catch by Renel inside the Highlanders 30-yard line. The Pilots seemed to have the shifty RB hemmed in as he turned to his right, then a quick left, then whoop back to his right, evaded a couple Pilots, and was off to the races down the right sideline. Renel hit a 5th gear and no one was going to catch him. He’s made some great runs but this one was for the highlight reel. He took it 74-yards for a huge Highlander touchdown. The Highlander Zone was on fire!
Outstanding Josh!
Casey’s extra-point kick was “good”.
ADAMS 17 PILOTS 0

The Pilots ran the kick-off out to the 20-yard line where “hit-stick” Colucci and A.J. Johnson brought the Pilot RB down. The Highlander defense held its ground after “Mac-Attack” and DL Sanders stopped the Pilots for no-gain on 1st down. On 2nd down, DL Trumble put the heat on the Pilot QB who was forced to dump the ball off for a short 4-yard gain. Facing 3rd and 6, another Pilot pass attempt was broken up by senior DB Steve Emery. It’s nice to have you back Steve! The Pilots were forced to punt again and this time widely chose not to punt the ball near #28 of the Highlanders.
The 33-yard punt was downed at the 25-yard line. This next Highlander possession was short-lived when Waszak’s pass to the well-covered WR Wilson was intercepted by the Pilots.
With 8:46 left in the 1st half, the Pilots had the ball at the 42-yard line. A reverse to WR Jon Martinez picked-up 7-yards on 1st down when DB Cody Wilson came up with a big-time play to drop the big FB for a 1-yard gain on 2nd down. Facing 3rd down and 2, the Pilot FB got the call again but the Highlander defensive line made up of Sanders, Polk, Heinrich and Sirosky would stop the run after another 1-yard gain. On 4th down the Pilots QB sneak was stopped cold by the DL again and the ball was turned-over on downs.
To understand just how good the defensive line is playing you have to know that the Pilots have two offensive tackles that are 6’6” 280 and 6’ 7” 290.
From the 49-yard line the Highlanders started their 5th possession of the game with 4:57 left in the half. Renel reeled off 12-yards and Conner added a 3-yard gain to move the ball to the 35-yard line of the Pilots. The fine mist that had been falling earlier was now becoming a full fledged rain storm. A Pilot penalty and a run by Barterian picked-up a 1st down that moved the ball down to the 13-yard line. Renel got the call and picked-up 8-yards before he ran the ball into the end zone on 2nd down for another Highlander touchdown. Aaron Gesquire’s snap, Cody’s hold and Casey’s kick were on the mark and the kick was “good”.
ADAMS 24 PILOTS 0

The Pilots had to feel the game slipping away at this point in the contest. They desperately needed to get their offense on track and put points on the board now. From the 19-yard line they ran a sweep to the right side of the line that DB Wilson absolutely blew-up for a loss of 4-yards. After a short gain on 2nd down the Pilots took to the air and Safety Joe Reynolds intercepted the pass and returned it all the way to inside the 1-yard line. Great job Joe!
From inside the 1, QB Waszak followed center Stu Baker’s block into the end zone for the Highlanders 4th touchdown of the half. Casey’s P.A.T kick was “good”.
ADAMS 31 PILOTS 0
With less than 2 minutes left in the 1st half the Pilot offense started from the 28-yard line after Andrew Lasko and Joe Reynolds made the tackle on the kick-off. A series of pass completions moved the ball into Highlander territory for the 1st time in the game. With only 54 ticks left in the half the Pilots threw a pass to their Tall WR in the end zone. It appeared that the WR came down with the ball when the Highlander’s # 10 Cody Wilson emerged from the sea of bodies with the football. Wilson seemed surprised he had the ball as he hesitated then bolted out of the end zone. That was a 6-point interception for the remarkable junior DB who had a huge 1st half on defense. Great stuff Code!
The Highlander offense took a knee to end the misery for the Pilots in the 1st half.

The 2nd half began and the rain continued to fall. Verville’s kick went 60+ yards and into the end zone for a touchback. LB Mac Attack made a shoe-string tackle to drop the Pilot RB after a 3-yard gain on 1st down. On 2nd down a tipped pass was caught by the Pilot WR and good for a 1st down. From the 31-yard line the Pilots went deep down the middle of the field where senior DB (formerly known as “no-sox”) Monahan made a very good play to close on the ball and intercepted the pass at the 35-yard line of the Highlanders.
The Highlanders 1st possession of the 2nd half started with a 9.5-yard gain by Renel followed-up by FB McNamara who picked-up a 1st down and then some. From the 40-yard line, Renel, Conner and Mac Attack ran the ball well and chewed up the clock and moved the chains. QB Waszak ran the option for no-gain and McNamara found no room in the middle of the Pilot defense. Facing 3rd and 10, Waszak’s pass to Wilson was incomplete that lead to a 4th down field goal attempt by Alex Verville from the 16-yard line. (37-yard field goal)
With 5:32 left in the 3rd quarter Verville’s kick split the uprights for his 2nd field goal of the game. Great job Alex!
ADAMS 34 PILOTS 0

The Pilots next possession began after Mitch Weiland tackled the RB on the kick-off. On 1st down the Pilot RB ran down the far sideline some 40+ yards to the Highlander 18-yard line. Smitty made the touchdown saving tackle. After 5 plays and a 1st down, the Pilots scored their only touchdown of the night. Their attempt at the 2-point conversion was not successful.
ADAMS 34 PILOTS 6

At this point in the game my note pad paper was not cooperating with the falling rain and proved nearly impossible for me to take adequate notes. What I do recall is the Pilots kick was returned by Josh Renel to the 43-yard line. The 4th quarter began with the Highlanders with the ball at the 39-yard line. McNamara, Ornazian and Renel pounded the ball down to the 21-yard line with 9:00 left in the game. On 4th down, Waszak’s pass to Wilson was incomplete and the ball was turned over on downs to the Pilots with 7:25 left in the game.
The Highlander defense would not bend as Sanders and Trumble combined to sack the QB for a loss of 3-yards. The Pilots were forced to punt and Renel fair caught the ball.
Junior QB/ DB Joe Reynolds took over at QB with 4:51 left in the game. FB’s Ornazian and sophomore Marc Benacquisto ran the ball for the Highlander offense to run the clock out and put this game in the record books.
The Final score: ADAMS 34 PILOTS 6

Congratulations to the coaching staff and the players on their 1st playoff win. The DeLaSalle Pilots were never in this game after the first scoring drive.
To the players: You have added one wall to the Highlander house. It’s a very strong and impressive wall at that. The next wall you attempt to raise will require your BEST effort. Don’t let the weight of this wall distract you from your mission. You possess the tools and determination to get the job done.
This district final game against Brother Rice will be one for the ages. A repeat of the 2003 State Championship game at the Silver Dome and the 2005 Regional Final game come to mind. It’s this writer’s opinion that the winner of this game will advance to the Championship game at Ford Field.
Good luck!
GO ADAMS!!!