DuPage edges Harper in 2 OTs
The Harper College football team dropped another heartbreaker Saturday afternoon, 12-6 in double overtime to rival College of DuPage in Palatine.
Special teams mishaps eventually cost the Hawks in this one, but the Harper offensive line managed to impose its will against a bigger Chaparrals defensive front.
“COD knows they played a football game,” said Harper coach Eric Waldstein. “We ran the ball like we wanted to. The kids did what I asked them to do.”
Harper finished with 281 yards on the ground and was led by Ronald Zollicoffer, who had 142 yards rushing on 32 attempts and helped the Hawks dictate a slower tempo to the game.
The second quarter was a tug-a-war of sorts between the punters, as each tried to tilt field position in his team’s favor. Neither defense caved, however, and the teams went into the half with a scoreless tie.
Waldstein was happy with his defensive unit’s performance.
“Everybody made plays today,” he said.
The Hawks (2-5, 0-1 Midwest Football Conference East Division) finally got a big play in the third quarter when Greg Kennedy (Warren) went busting up the heart of the Chaps defense, breaking a couple of tackles along the way for a 58-yard touchdown to give Harper the lead. That’s when special teams problems started to crop up as place kicker Ben Weishaupt was unable to kick the extra-point after a botched snap.
Later, with the Hawks marching down the field, Harper quarterback Cody Miller threw a pass intended for reciever Sean Zigstih (Maine South) in the end zone. But the pass was off target and DuPage cornerback Brandon Truman was able to create the game’s lone turnover with an interception.
Truman’s play proved pivotal. With DuPage going with a quicker tempo on offense in the second half, the Chaps were able to go on an 80-yard drive. With 8:17 remaining in the game and facing a third down at the Harper 9, sophomore quarterback Bobby Vega found Johnny Holton (80 yards receiving) to tie the game.
DuPage, however, had issues of its own in the kicking game as Dominic Kozlowski’s extra-point boot hit the left upright. Not only was DuPage unable to tack on the extra point, but Vega had been injured on the drive and did not re-enter the game. He finished 13-for-27 passing for 145 yards.
With 2:29 remaining Kozlowski got a a chance at redemption. The Harper special teams were up to the task, blocking the 32-yard field goal attempt, ending any chance of either team walking away with a regulation win.
After winning the coin toss and electing to play defense first in overtime, the Harper defense came up with yet another big play, stopping the Chaps on fourth-and-1.
DuPage responded by blocking Ben Weishaupt’s attempt at a game-winning field goal.
After rush plays on first and second down in the second overtime, allowing Harper to net 5 yards, Miller got sacked on third down and lost 5 yards. The Hawks settleed for a Weishaupt 30-yard field goal try, but again the Chaps blocked it.
Charlie Davidson ended the game in DuPage’s favor with a 10-yard touchdown run, making the Chaparrals 1-0 in MFC East play.