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   STIFF-ARMED: Frankenmuth varsity quarterback Doug Ham (7) sheds off a would-be Swan Valley defender during last Thursday’s season opener on the Vikings’ field. The Eagles battled but eventually lost the nonconference game, 42-16.                            (Photo courtesy/Deb Krafft)

FHS Gridders Show Promise in Game One Loss to Vickings

  The final score of the high school varsity football game was 42-16 Swan Valley. But don’t read too much into what appears to be a blow-out win by the Vikings.

  The Frankenmuth varsity football team opened its 2010 season on the road at non-conference Swan Valley – a team highly-ranked in MHSAA Division 4.

  Three dropped passes (all in the end zone), fewer penalties and a halfback pass for a touchdown made the difference for Swan Valley.

  “We had a 9-7 lead into the second quarter but a roughing the passer penalty kept their drive alive,” FHS Head Coach Tim VanWormer said. “Then we fumbled the ball away on the first play of the next drive and we lost our momentum.

  “We played with them but we also missed a field goal and that also hurt,” VanWormer added.

  FHS kicked off to start the game and Swan Valley used 10 plays to travel 75 yards in 4:30 to post a 7-0 lead. Quarterback Cody Call called his own number in scampering 37 yards for the score. Chris Cramer added the extra point.

  ‘Muth’s opening drive stalled and punter Matt Hollenbaugh booted a 45-yard kick to pin SV back on its three-yard line. On the next play, linebacker Cameron McMeans tackled Johnathon Grace for a three-yard loss and a two-point safety.

  Frankenmuth got the ball back and, thanks to a 20-yard return by Carter Murlick, set up at the Vikings’ 48-yard line.

  FHS quarterback directed the Eagles on a seven-play drive, capped by a quarterback Doug Ham 12-yard pass to Spencer Bell. Cameron Lail booted the PAT for a 9-7 ‘Muth advantage.

  Early in the second quarter, SV drove six plays and 55 yards for a touchdown. Viking running back Jared Briguglio rushed to the two-yard line, fumbled the ball and teammate Brody Bartell fell on the loose ball in the end zone, Call’s two-point run gave the home team a 15-9 lead.

  An Eagle fumble on the next drive led to a two-play, 37-yard score by Swan Valley. Briguglio plunged in from two-yards out and he also added the two-point conversion, giving SV a 23-9 lead.

  VanWormer’s team was not done. Ham tossed a 46-yard TD strike to Luke Bade and with Lail’s kick, the SV lead was down to 23-16. The score ended a three-play, 63-yard march.

  Swan Valley upped its lead to 30-16 before halftime. Briguglio capped a six-play, 55-yard drive with an 11-yard run. Cramer’s PAT kick was good.

  Both Lail and Cramer missed field goals before the end of the first half. Lail misfired on a 35-yard attempt and Cramer was wide left on a 36-yard attempt.

  The Vikings added two more scores in the game. In the third quarter, Mike Revard raced 21 yards for a touchdown, ending an eight-play, 85-yard drive and Grace dashed eight yards to end an 11-play, 76-yard march in the fourth quarter.

  “Swan Valley is big and they are so much more than just Jared Briguglio,” VanWormer said. “But we are fighters and we are not going to fold. We just need to clean up a few areas.”

  As a team, Frankenmuth totaled 309 yards, including 144 passing. They had 56 plays (SV had 58) and held a time of possession edge at 24:52 to 23:08. FHS did have 15 first downs and converted 2 of 4 fourth down attempts.

  Travis Davis led the rushing game with 67 yards on 15 attempts. Bell added three carries for 52 yards.

  Ham, a junior, was 6 of 17 for 144 yards and one interception. Bade had four catches for 114 yards and Bell made two grabs for 30 yards.

  Hollenbaugh had a good day punting, with two boots and a 41.5 yard average.

  Fifteen Eagles registered at least one tackle, led by Jon Drake’s eight tackles. Mack Corl, McMeans and Davis had seven tackles apiece.

  Next up for the ‘Muth gridders is a trip to Caro on Thursday, September 2, at 7pm. The contest will be the Tri-Valley Conference East Division opener for both teams. The Tigers beat Vassar in their season opener, 20-13.

  Caro was led by running back Brett Phillips with 150 yards on 24 carries and the winning touchdown, a 31-yard jaunt.