Pass interception ends chance for Tecumseh's Indians to pick up win

By MICKEY ALVARADO

A pass interception inside Monroe Jefferson’s 10-yard line ended any chances for Tecumseh’s varsity football team to pick up an opening season victory on Friday, Aug. 27.

The Indians allowed the Bears to come from behind after sending their opponents to the halftime break down 14-7. Jefferson gained a 21-14 lead in the final quarter and the Indians frantically drove the ball to Jefferson’s 15-yard line with just 49 seconds remaining in the game but turned over possession on the next play.

The Indians mixed things up a bit more than in the past and scored the first touchdown of the game (9:36) on their opening possession. Tecumseh junior Austin Shartle broke free for a 53-yard run to the end zone and instead of attempting a two-point conversion as in the past junior Sam Davitt kicked the ball through the uprights and added just one point for a 7-0 lead.

The Bears answered right back, scoring their own touchdown with a one-yard rush by Bryan McCullough. He scored all three of the Bears’ touchdowns. Jefferson also opted for a Point After Touchdown (PAT) kick and tied the contest with 3:22 left in the first quarter.

Tecumseh junior quarterback Brad Vannatter threw his first pass of the season to sophomore John Terry and a completion set the Indians up on the Bears’ 22-yard line in the second quarter. On the very next play, Tecumseh fumbled the ball and the Bears recovered it on their own 25-yard line. The Indians shut the Bears down on the possession and then made good on their next offensive drive. Terry broke free from two left side defenders on a third down play to record a 43-yard touchdown run with 5:44 left in the first half. Davitt connected on the PAT kick and the Indians held a 14-7 advantage.

Bears coach Marc Cisco thought his boys basically gave the touchdowns to the Indians.

“The first touchdown the kid disregarded his key,” said Cisco. “It was a discipline problem. The second touchdown came from a discipline problem too. I’m not saying Tecumseh’s bad, they ran the ball well and they were tough.”

Tecumseh was able to move the ball in the second half but couldn’t cap its drives with touchdowns. The Bears did and scored again on a five yard run by McCullough with 1:49 remaining in the third quarter. A good PAT kick then tied the game.

Jefferson scored its game-winning touchdown with 4:39 remaining in the contest. McCullough ran the ball into the end zone from 10-yards out and Jacob Sterling made good on his third PAT kick.

The Indians had a great opportunity to tie the contest but Vannatter was intercepted on a second and 7-yard play from the 12-yard line with 46.5 seconds remaining.

Jefferson junior Troy Hart made the big play for the Bears.

“The most unlikely one to do it, a snotty nosed junior having to make a key play,” said Cisco.

Tecumseh coach Jason Mensing didn’t have much to say after the loss, stating, "I'm very disappointed for our kids. They've worked really hard. They deserve to win, and we've got to do a better job."

Tecumseh plays next at home against Ann Arbor Huron on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.