Coug’s Hand ‘Canes First Loss

The South-East 9-man game of week five was definitely Houston (4-0) hosting Mabel-Canton (3-1). Like last year, one squad had the ball late looking for victory. The ‘Canes came out fast for their homecoming. Their first drive had four plays, three first down runs and Joey Fishel’s 16-yard TD run (+2). M-C replied, marching 63 yards in eight plays. Weston Whalen’s 22-yard TD run (+2) made it 8-8. Houston’s third drive saw a Jaytin Millen 48-yard run lead to Wesley Johnson’s 17-yard TD run (+2). Cougar Talon Peterson then went 95 yards with the kickoff return (Brenden Kerns +2), making it 16-16. The return began a 22-point M-C scoring run. Whalen then had TD runs of 18 and 13 for the 30-16 Cougar lead (mid-third). Houston broke a five drive scoreless streak by going 61 yards in 12 plays, a Harry Chiglo 2-yard plow on 4th and 1 from the MC 12 critical. Zach Schneider’s 5-yard TD run on 4th and goal made it 30-22. The Hurricanes next series ended with a Johnson 11-yard TD run, leaving M-C clinging to a 30-28 lead. With 6:21 left, a ‘Cane drive was ended per interception. With 2:16 left, they were stopped on 4th and two at the MC 35. Four plays later, Whalen went 51-yards to pay-dirt (PAT blocked). Down 36-28, Houston was still alive (1:20). The ‘Canes got one chunk pass to midfield. Four incompletions (maybe an uncalled P.I.) allowed M-C to hand Houston its first loss, 36-28. Whalen (27-200, 4 TDs rushing) was a beast, Kerns (27-114 rushing) a workhorse. Drew Wyffels had two interceptions, a forced fumble, and helped on the big 4th and two tackle. The young ‘Canes’ fast-attack spread it around; Millen (7-86 rushing; 2-36 receiving), Schneider (14-77, TD rushing), Fishel (9-49, TD rushing), Chiglo (11-67 rushing, 4-18, 73, 2 INT’s passing), Johnson (3-29, 2 TDs rushing; 1-20 receiving). The teams went 5-of-26 passing with four picks. M-C won the turnover battle 4-to-2. Houston had more yards (424 to 356), more first downs (22 to 17). M-C thwarted Houston late in last year’s game, winning that nail-biter 22-18. Each team is now 4-1.