Defensive stand helps SMCC journey Milan for first victory of the season – Monroe Night Information

Typically, only a few performs in a soccer recreation could make all of the distinction.

Milan was dominating the time of possession by way of a lot of the first half in its journey to Navarre Discipline Friday to play St. Mary’s Catholic Central, holding the ball by way of a little bit greater than 17 minutes to only 2:20 for the Falcons into the second quarter.

The Huge Reds had a 7-0 lead and have been driving for a second rating when the SMCC protection rose to the event and stopped Milan’s Ronny Johnson on a fourth-and-goal on the one-yard line and pushed him again three yards.

4 performs later, SMCC’s Drew Harris broke free round the suitable facet of the O-line for a 79-yard landing run to tie the sport at 7-7 with 2:22 to play till halftime.

Extra SMCC performs within the second half – on protection and offense – led to a 21-7 Falcons victory over the Huge Reds on SMCC alumni night time.

“They positively had much more performs and the time of possession was of their favor however our youngsters responded,” mentioned SMCC Coach Adam Kipf. “We knew we needed to transfer the ball and rating earlier than the half. That run by Harris was large after we received it.”

SMCC took the second-half kickoff and didn’t waste time when, on the fourth play of the drive, Cole Jondro ran 50-yards for the primary of his two touchdowns and SMCC was up 14-7 with 9:14 nonetheless to play within the third.

On the following possession, Milan drove 50 yards however stalled on the SMCC 20-yard line. A 30-yard subject objective try by Adam Johnson sailed proper, and the Falcons regained possession.

Jondro capped off an 80-yard drive with a one-yard run to place SMCC up 21-7 with 7:29 to play within the recreation. The drive was keyed by a 41-yard run by SMCC QB Carson Kinsey.

Once more, the Milan offense drove down the sphere on its subsequent possession however once more got here up brief in opposition to the Falcon protection with an incomplete cross from Huge Reds QB Brady Bovenkerk on fourth-and-goal from the SMCC six-yard line.

“My school coach used to say that video games are usually determined by 6 or 7 key performs within the recreation. Clearly not having the ability to rating within the pink zone after which that they had a couple of large offensive performs was the distinction,” mentioned Milan Coach Jesse Hoskins. 

“We additionally had a couple of actually robust penalties down within the pink zone that took us again. It was simply one other robust one. This has been the theme the previous couple of weeks,” he mentioned.

Kipf mentioned the victory was as full a recreation because the Falcons have performed all yr.

“It felt good,” he mentioned. “We’ve lowered our errors week to week to week. Our children labored for this. Our children additionally have been extra bodily up entrance then they’ve been beforehand.

“Hats off to Milan, although. They’ve some warriors over there who by no means gave up. They’re a tricky group,” Kipf added. 

Coming into the sport, Milan was 1-2, with the 2 losses by a complete of 9 factors.

“We’re nonetheless enjoying robust soccer,” Hoskins mentioned. “We’re enjoying superb soccer. We simply need to make performs to win.”

Kipf mentioned he’s seen his gamers regularly enhance all through the early season.

“I’m pleased with our youngsters. I’m pleased with their combat. I’m pleased with their effort tonight. They’ve been enhancing week by week by week and at the moment was no exception,” he mentioned.

SMCC strikes to 1-3 on the season and performs Friday at Riverview.

Milan, additionally at 1-3 on the season, performs Friday at Flat Rock.

SMCC	0	7	7	7	–	21
Milan	7	0	0	0	–	7

First Quarter

M – Ronny Johnson run

Second Quarter

SMCC – Drew Harris 79 run (Mathis Lymond kick)

Third Quarter

SMCC – Cole Jondro 50 run (Lymond kick)

Fourth Quarter

SMCC – Jondro 1 run (Lymond kick)