The Highlander machine took their high flying offensive act to Birmingham racking up big yardage and a stiff defense to preserve their unbeaten streak at 4 games in this young 2008 season. Not much went wrong on this night as the mighty Highlanders had their way early and often. Groves displayed grit by playing hard to the end and scored twice in the second half.
Adams started the first offensive possession of the game on their own 33 yard line. Michael Barber scampered 14 yards to the 47, followed by a couple of Andrew Waszak runs giving Adams 1rst and 10 at the Groves 26. On a 4rth and 10 Waszak found Cody Wilson for a Touchdown strike to give Adams a 7-0 early lead after a George Patsarikis extra point.
Matt Rea’s thunderous hit on the ensuing kickoff put Groves on their own 25 for their first offensive series of the game. Tackles by Christian Babini and Rea stalled the Groves drive, giving Adams 1st and 10 at their 36. Two runs by Wilson combined for 30 yards, an 8 yard run by Beau Barterian and a 22 yard run by Tyler Martin set up Adams 1st and 10 at the Groves 11. After 3 straight plays for little yards, Patsarikis gave Adams a 10-0 lead with a 24 yard field goal with 2 minutes left in the 1st quarter.
Pressure by Zach Trumble helped to stop Groves on their next series, turning the ball back to Adams on their own 35 yard line. An 11 yard catch and run by Joe Reynolds, was followed by runs from Waszak, Martin and Barterian setting up 1st and goal from the Groves 4. A rollout from Waszak and a tip toe catch in the corner of the end zone by Wilson , which made the channel 7 late night highlights, put Adams up 17-0 with 8 minutes left in the half.
AJ Johnson made a couple of nice tackles on Grove’s next series, stalling their drive. Cody Wilson returned the ensuing punt all the way to the Groves 46 where Adams took over 1st and 10. After an incomplete pass, Waszak weaved his way around left end all the way to the Groves 10 yard line. Wilson scampered behind a great guard pull by Nick Demiro to the 1 yard line. Barterian took it in from there for a 24-0 Adams lead with 4 minutes left in the Half.
Groves took over at their own 24 yard line and completed a 1rst down to their 49. Andrew Hammett stepped in front of a pass for an interception and twisted, turned, bobbed and weaved all the way to the Groves 30 yard line. Waszak dropped back from there and found Wilson again for a Touchdown and a 31-0 lead for Adams with 2 minutes remaining in the Half.
A sack by Michael Sirosky and a big hit by Barber gave the Highlanders the ball back on their own 36. Waszak found Wilson streaking down the middle for a completion to the Groves 10. Michael Barber ran around a seal block by Jordan Sanders for the touchdown and a 38-0 Adams Halftime lead.
A big hit for a loss by Marc Benacquisto welcomed Groves to the 2nd half of the game setting them up for a 4rth and 12. A pass interference by Adams gave Birmingham a fresh set of downs on the Adams 22. Groves passed into the end zone from there for a 38-6 game with 5 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter.
After a stalled Adams drive, Groves took over possession again. A big sack by Sirosky set up 3rd and long for Groves. A long pass completion down the middle of the field gave Groves a 1st down at the Adams 12. A pass interference call on Adams set up a TD run around right end to make it a 38-14 game with seconds left in the 3rd quarter.
An onside kick attempt by Groves was smothered by Barber setting Adams up at the 50. Cody Wilson ran it into the end zone around left end from there for a 45-14 game with 5 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.
A big sack by Trumble and a screen stuffed out by Benacquisto stopped Groves on their next drive. An Adams roughing the kicker penalty on the ensuing punt gave Groves a fresh set of downs, but their drive stalled from there.
Andrew Hammett scored from his quarterback position late in the game on a run around Jordan Parker. Daniel Park and Jason Finney made nice hits to end the game.
A convincing win for the Highlanders as they stay on the road next Friday in a tough game against Southfield. Please note this game is a 5:30pm start time.
Way to go Boys, Let’s keep the Train Rolling, Much More Yet to Prove.
GO HIGHLANDERS!!