Eagle View
Fall Sport Face-Off Wednesday, November 16, 2011 By Emilea Allen and Brandi Thayer
Thursday, November 10, 2011 marked an important day in Bellbrook's Cross Country team's history. Together, the regional and state qualifiers took on the Junior Varsity boys’ soccer team in a ruthless match of soccer. Needless to say, both teams entered the match very aware of the challenge they were facing, but also confident in the outcome. Thanks to Lance Crockett and A.J. Miesle, the specially chosen referees, the game was kept fair in every aspect. There was a successful turnout in the stands and more prominent fans of the teams stood along the sidelines, cheerleader style. The people who came not only supported the teams, but admissions were also collected for Partnership for Success and will go towards Spring Pallooza. The main coaches for the teams were student supporters as well. Mason Wolfe coached the Soccer team and Tommy Hensley coached the Cross Country team. The battle to the final buzzer was a story that will go down in history as the most thrilling ride to victory ever. As the game began, the JV boys dominated possession. Passes whizzed in between and by the cross country team, despite their constant attempts to win the ball back. However, in a matter of five to six minutes, the cross country team was in the swing of the game, connecting passes and advancing up the field. Reed Hemelgarn made sure that no threat came near the goal containing a new-found talented goalie, Chris Gertz. When the ball was cleared, it would typically end up bouncing in the center of the field, awaiting the controlled touch of Ian Imhoff. With several opportunities knocking on the door for each separate team, neither could capitalize and so the first half concluded with a tie of 0-0. Keeping the audience entertained throughout the intermission was Alex Feld and Jake Dryden, former Bellbrook High School students . The duo interviewed each other, speaking about the foundation and development of the annual game that began in 2010. Other halftime entertainment consisted of Nicole Baumer and several other cheerleaders spreading spirit for the cross country team. The beginning of the second half had the same pace as the first. Each team had a great amount of time with the ball, and the soccer players made several attempts at goal, but thanks to Clinton Hicks, who played outside right back, the ball was stopped and then distributed to a teammate. While the clock ticked down, both teams threatened, but it was a fantastic attempt at goal finished by John Kerr that put the cross country on top with only four minutes left in regulation. “Both teams played well from beginning to end and either team could have won that game,” says Kerr. “The cross country team had many components, however, that favored our win that night, such as our strong, forceful offense, our shut-down style defense, and amazing keeper skills.” The soccer team fought to the finish, but couldn’t capitalize, leaving the cross country team dominant for the first year ever. Both teams represented their sportsmanship as the night ended with handshakes exchanged between the competitors. Most fans that attended the game were satisfied with the outcome, but the biggest question still remains, who will win next year? |