EUREKA >> Put another season in the books for Middletown High varsity football head coach Bill Foltmer after a 25-14 loss to the St. Bernard Crusaders in the quarterfinal round of the North Coast Section Division V playoffs officially ended his 31st campaign at the school.
It was easily the most challenging season for Foltmer if you count a devastating firestorm (the Valley Fire on Sept. 12-13) and a never-ending injury storm. The Mustangs entered Saturday’s game with the No. 2-seeded Crusaders minus six starters and they lost a seventh early in the second quarter when John Kelley, the backup to the backup starting halfback (on the team’s original depth chart) sustained a concussion and could not return.
“And he was running over people,” Foltmer said of Kelley, who gained 72 yards on 10 carries before departing the field. “If he stays in the game, it might have been different.”
Once Kelley went down, Ty Chorjel, the team’s starting fullback, shifted to halfback while Wyatt Jones, an All-League lineman, moved to fullback.
“I don’t think Ty worked at halfback once in practice during the season,” Foltmer said.
“And even with all the injuries we had, all the changes we had to make, we still had a chance to take the lead with about nine minutes left in the game,” Foltmer said of a deep drive into St. Bernard territory with the Mustangs trailing 19-14. After a penalty set it back, the drive stalled on downs.
Another drive inside the St. Bernard 10-yard line also failed to yield points right before halftime.
“The final score was 25-14 but it was a lot closer than that,” Foltmer said.
Injuries aside, Foltmer said those Mustangs still lucky enough to be standing this season did everything they could — everything he asked them to do — right up through Saturday’s final game.
“Like I’ve always said, in the playoffs you have be good but you have you to be a little lucky,” Foltmer said. “Eventually the injuries were just too much, but these kids never stopped playing. I couldn’t be any prouder of these guys.”
Following are other highlights from Week 12:
Statistics
Rushing — Middletown’s Ty Chorjel split 23 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown between fullback and halfback positions in the Mustangs’ 25-14 playoff lost to St. Bernard. John Kelley was on his way to a big day with 10 carries for 72 yards when he was knocked out of the game with a concussion.
Passing — Middletown quarterback Rob Carey completed 7 of 15 passes for 80 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
Receiving — Noah Williams caught a 10-yard touchdown pass as Middletown took a 14-9 lead in the third quarter against St. Bernard. Tight end Stephen Amos had a 40-yard catch.
Special teams
Kicking — Rob Carey kicked a pair of extra points for Middletown but missed wide right on a short field goal.
Kick receive — Both of Middletown’s turnovers came on kickoff returns as St. Bernard recovered an onside kick and pounced on a fumble on a conventional kickoff, the costly turnover setting up a Crusaders touchdown.
Highlights
Sack attack — Wyatt Jones, named to the All-North Central League I first team on offense as well as defense, sacked St. Bernard’s Jack Rice twice.
Game balls — Middletown coach Bill Foltmer said Stephen Amos (offense) and Wyatt Jones (defense) deserved game balls for their play against St. Bernard. Ty Chorjel also played exceptionally well, according to Foltmer.
Division V semifinals — No. 1 Berean Christian hosts No. 4 Valley Christian while No. 2 St. Bernard hosts No. 6 Ferndale. Both games are Saturday.
And that’s that — The 2015 fall sports season is now complete in Lake County and I can’t say I’ll miss this one even a little bit. It simply came with too huge a price tag attached.
