White Tops Black at Tech Spring Game
HOUGHTON, Mich. — The Michigan Tech football team played its annual White-Black spring instrasquad game today, with the White Team coming away victorious 17-7. For the players, it meant a chance to get game experience and have some fun. For the coaches, it was a chance to evaluate players in a live-game experience.
“A lot of our veteran players sat out, and that gave us a chance to look at some young people,” said head coach Tom Kearly. “We also got a chance to try out some new plays and schemes.
“Overall, it’s been a great spring with the warm weather.”
The White sqaud got on the scoreboard first after taking advantage of the first turnover of the day. Ian Coughlin picked off a Brent Heim pass and returned it to the Black 33-yard line. On the next play, freshman signal caller Raymond Wojtala found junior wide receiver Pat Carroll in the endzone for a 7-0 lead.
Black tied the score going into halftime with a 45-yard drive capped by a sophomore Cedrick Barber’s four-yard plunge to paydirt with just 20 seconds remaining before intermission.
The third-quarter battle for field position was won by the White team, which received a 36-yard field goal from senior Tyler Cattelino for a 10-7 score.
Freshman Andrew Janczy capped the day’s scoring early in the fourth quarter. White held Black on downs at midfield. The very next play, Janczy found room down the left sideline for a 57-yard touchdown and a 17-7 lead for the pale jerseys.
The White offense fumbled twice in the fourth quarter, but its defense got the ball back with interceptions both times. David Russek picked off a screen pass intended for tight end Bryan LaChappelle who, to Black team quarterback Heim’s credit, was also wearing a white jersey.
Later, Quinn Parnell intercepted a deep ball and his momentum carried him into the endzone. Instead of kneeling, the ball was lateraled twice and returned all the way out to the 45-yard line by Jesse Vandenberg. White killed the clock two plays later for the win.
Janczy was the game’s leading rusher with 83 yards on just eight carries. Barber totaled 68 yards on 20 lugs for the Black.
Wojtala finished 7-of-15 for 76 yards and the touchdown. Heim was 8-of-26 for 120 yards.
Junior defensive back Chet White led the White team with seven tackles including a sack. Senior linebacker Mike Rittenour had a game-high eight tackles with a sack.
Michigan Tech has wrapped up its 2010 season of spring practice. The Huskies will officially open their 2010 campaign with a Sept. 11 contest at new GLIAC member Lake Erie College.
Notes: Many key players sat out of today’s game including quarterback Steve Short, running backs Phil Milbrath and Akeem Cason, center Anthony Santi and defensive end Drew Vanderlin … A running clock was used except for the final two minutes of each half.