A 2011 D-5 TITLE CLASSIC SHOWDOWN...COLBY VS. LANCASTER
I’m not sure if there was a betting line for this game. The Madison papers three reporters favored Lancaster while reporters from the four Eau Claire Leader-Telegram reporters were split in their choice. Colby had a great defense, allowing only 47 points (5.22 points per game) during the regular season. And scoring 342 points (38.0 points per game). In the four playoff games Colby allowed only 27 and scored 108. Their high scoring opponent in the finals, Lancaster, allowed 170 (An average of 18.89 points per game) during the regular season but scored 455 points (A 50.56 points per game). In their four playoff games they scored 170 points.
Several of the Flying Arrows playoff games were a 45-42 win in the first round over Arcadia and a semi-final match up with Cedar Grove-Belgium, a 49-48 win. The question was could the Colby Hornets hold back the high-powered Lancaster running game. In 13 games they averaged 450.4 yards per game. They featured three rushers that had gained over 1,000 yards in their first 13 games. Trea Mezera ran 170 times for 1,528 yards and 25 touchdowns and Troy Baker had 1,111 yards on 104 carriers and 12 scores. The one who made the offence move was quarterback Justin Hare who picked up 1,157 yards rushing on 178 carries and scored 12 times but passing wise he was 44-78-3-830-14. Receivers Wes Schnepper (22 catches for 335 yards and six td’s) and Kile Jerrett (17 catches for 313 yards and six td’s) led the team in catching the ball from Hare. Going into the title game the Flying Arrows had a +11 advantage in turnovers, returned six kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns. Coach John Hoch had a team that just wouldn’t give up and would find a way to win. He felt that the team exceeded expectations as they never gave up.
Colby had a fairly balanced offensive attack with Zach Pessig leading the run name with stats of 173-1,216-20 followed by Michael Cliver’s 122-963-16. Quarterback Aaron Koerner was 87-1244-3-1,324-13 in the passing department. Tyler Meyer hauled in 32 receptions for 566 yards and 9 touchdowns. On defense Koerner had six interceptions and Meyer had four. Coach Jeff Rosemeyer had from the start of the season felt that he had enough good returning players to build around a chance to make it to Camp Randall.
The showdown was set for Thursday, November 17 at 4PM and the two teams were ready for a battle. Colby struck first. Actually, twice in the first quarter on a one-yard run by Michael Cliver with 8:48 left in the period. A fumble by Lancaster led to a six-yard run by Aaron Koerrner with 7:32 left in the quarter. Michael Knetter converted the first extra point and Colby led 13-0. But Lancaster struck next quickly with Justin Hare rushing 37-yards for the first tally. The conversion by Hunter Budack as good at the 5:34 mark. However. Colby was able to kick a 27-yuard field goal by Knetter before the period ended to lead 16-7.
The Hornets were able to take the ball to into the end zone with 10:41 in the second period on a Cliver 23-yard run. Knetter converted for a 22-7 lead. But the Flying Arrows came back with Troy Baker scoring twice with runs of three and 20-yards. Knetter made one extra point and the score stood 22-20, Colby. Lancaster started their push with only 5:36 left, then at 3:08. Colby came back after a Lancaster fumble to increase their lead with Arron Koerrner going over from the three and Knetter converted for a :49 left in the first half. Following a long kickoff return Baker ran in from the five with only :11 left and Hunter Budack converted his second extra point of the second period and the score 30-27 at half time.
The third quarter was quite with no scoring but the fourth was the crucial period.
Trea Mazera ran 21-yards with 10:07 to go and Budack kicked the extra point and Lancaster led 34-30. Colby came back with a touchdown a minute and a half later with a Zach Pelsseg 16-yard rushing score. Knetter kicked the extra point and now Colby led 37-34. Lancaster got the ball and drove down the field and with 4:17 to go Hunter Budack kicked a 37-yard field goal to tie the game 37-37. With the game tied with two minutes left Colby punted and Lancaster junior Kile Jerrett muffed a punt on the Flying Arrows 10-yard line and could go nowhere. The Hornets lined up for a 19-yard field goal with 36-seconds left. Jerrett made up for his mistake by blocking the kick and sending then game into overtime.
Now its overtime. In the second play of the OT Trea Mezera broke free and ran 25-yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Tyler Meyer for Colby blocked the extra point and still, Lancaster led 43-37. The block gave Colby leverage for a comeback. Then, Coach Jeff Rosemeyer decided to pull out his trick play called “Roger Cowboy”. The play started with a double reverse flea-flicker Zach Koerner tossing a 25-yard pass to Tyler Meyer who pulled the pass in with two Lancaster defenders covering him. Meuer later that he had doubts that the p[lay would work but it did. The extra point was converted by Kretter for the 44-43 win
In 21 playoff appearances the Flying Arrows were 52-14 with titles under coach John Hoch in 1993, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2006. Hoch would earn another title in 2014 and be runner up in 2012 and 2013 as he would post a 327-117 career HOF record.
Jeff Rosemeyer had 20-years of head coaching experience under his belt when his Hornets met the Flying Arrows in the title game. He coached the 1998 and 2008 squads to the state title and his team was runner up in 2010. He also was added to the HOF. His career record was 145-68 as of 2011 but nis final totals can’t be found.
The game was a classic affair that kept the fans in the seats and those watching at home on edge for much of the game.
SEASON RECORDS
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