Football faces losing season after tough loss
Islinger's turn at the helm got off to a rough start. After failing to convert on third down, the long snap on the punt sailed way over Islinger's head (Islinger is also the punter) and into the end zone, where it was knocked out for a two-point safety, making the score 9-0.
While Islinger struggled at first, sophomore running back Andrew Kase was able to be a catalyst for the Blue Jay offense. Kase rushed for 82 yards in the first half on 18 carries.
"Coach Margraff is a big supporter of running the same play if it's effective, until they prove they can stop it," Kase said. "The offensive line did a great job and we were able to move the ball down the field on the ground." Kase also noted his surprise at getting as many carries as he did.
"I can't say I necessarily expected 18 carries by halftime, but I have no problem carrying that much when it's working."
F&M marched down the field on their next possession, leading to a Paul Soussa 40-yard field goal, which gave F&M a 12-0 lead.
A few possessions later, after getting great field position on a wind-hindered punt, Hopkins got on the board when freshman kicker Alex Lachman connected on a 44-yard field goal, the longest of his career.
Hopkins got a lucky break at the end of the first half when an F&M punt landed well short of freshman returner Tucker Michaels and bounced off the leg of a trailing Austin Erhart, after which the ball was recovered by F&M deep in Hopkins territory. Turner got the ball in the end zone on the next play, but the Diplomats were flagged for an ineligible receiver downfield just as the first half ended.
"When punts are dropping so close it's really tough to judge. You don't want t move up too far," Michaels said. "I went back to the 35-yard line because there was a really strong wind, and he was only kicking 25 yards which was way short. When it hit off Austin's leg it was just bad communication."
Neither team was able to score again until the fourth quarter. Just 15 seconds into the quarter, Michaels fumbled a punt at midfield, which was recovered by F&M.
While Islinger struggled at first, sophomore running back Andrew Kase was able to be a catalyst for the Blue Jay offense. Kase rushed for 82 yards in the first half on 18 carries.
"Coach Margraff is a big supporter of running the same play if it's effective, until they prove they can stop it," Kase said. "The offensive line did a great job and we were able to move the ball down the field on the ground." Kase also noted his surprise at getting as many carries as he did.
"I can't say I necessarily expected 18 carries by halftime, but I have no problem carrying that much when it's working."
F&M marched down the field on their next possession, leading to a Paul Soussa 40-yard field goal, which gave F&M a 12-0 lead.
A few possessions later, after getting great field position on a wind-hindered punt, Hopkins got on the board when freshman kicker Alex Lachman connected on a 44-yard field goal, the longest of his career.
Hopkins got a lucky break at the end of the first half when an F&M punt landed well short of freshman returner Tucker Michaels and bounced off the leg of a trailing Austin Erhart, after which the ball was recovered by F&M deep in Hopkins territory. Turner got the ball in the end zone on the next play, but the Diplomats were flagged for an ineligible receiver downfield just as the first half ended.
"When punts are dropping so close it's really tough to judge. You don't want t move up too far," Michaels said. "I went back to the 35-yard line because there was a really strong wind, and he was only kicking 25 yards which was way short. When it hit off Austin's leg it was just bad communication."
Neither team was able to score again until the fourth quarter. Just 15 seconds into the quarter, Michaels fumbled a punt at midfield, which was recovered by F&M.
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