After getting blown out in the season opener, the Saline Hornets came out with something to prove. They proved it on Friday night against the Ypsilanti Phoenix, winning 30-8 in front of the home crowd for their first win of the 2011 campaign.
The Hornets (1-1) imposed their will early. Gage Hammond was drug down inside the one after a 14 yard scamper to set up the game’s first points. Quarterback Reece Dils scored on a fourth and inches with 8:24 left in the first quarter to put Saline up 6-0; the extra point was partially blocked and went wide left. The defense forced Ypsilanti to go three and out and the Hornets were back in business. Hammond ran around the outside of the Phoenix defense for a 16 yard touchdown, and after the extra point, Saline was up 13-0.
“The running game came alive tonight and the offensive line did a good job. Keeping the ball on the ground and out of their possession was a big part of our game tonight,” said head coach Mike Glennie.
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Saline’s final touchdown before halftime came after Hammond intercepted Ypsilanti quarterback Devin Clark. Justin Barnes pounded the ball the final ten yards for the touchdown, and Saline was off to a 20-0 lead. Ypsilanti scored before the end of the half, running the ball in and converting the two-point conversion through the air. The horn sounded at half with Saline up 20-8.
The second half opened with Saline forcing a three and out when Ike Nwokeji sacked Clark on a third and three. The Hornets responded with a 27-yard field goal by kicker Dylan Mulder and went up 23-8.
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A holding penalty against Ypsilanti and a sack forced the Phoenix into a long third down that they were unable to convert. The Hornets punted, but Brandon Gordon recovered the muffed punt. Nwokeji’s 19-yard run set the Hornets up just outside the red zone before the end of the third quarter.
“[Ike is] a talented kid. He brings a nice dimension to our offense and he’s a great addition to our defense and special teams,” said Glennie.
Saline pounded the ground game in the fourth quarter. Nwokeji, who led the team rushing with 71 yards on 11 attempts, earned a first down by dragging Phoenix defenders nine yards to set the Hornets up with a first and goal at the ten yard line. He finished the drive the next play, thundering up the middle for ten yards and the touchdown. After adding the extra point, Saline had a comfortable 30-8 lead with 10:31 left in the game.
Ypsilanti was forced into slinging the ball around the field, but they were unable to muster much forward progress. After another Phoenix three and out, Saline would grind the ball down the field, eating through over six minutes of the remaining time. The Phoenix rallied one last time, but came up short on a yard short on a fourth and eight.
Saline travels to Lincoln on Sept. 9 to face the Railsplitters.