- April 27, 2024
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ODA senior Jack Meyers dashes up the field.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA sophomore Allen Clark gets tripped by the Bell Creek defense after a positive gain.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA senior John Moschella (3) makes the tackle on Bell Creek senior Manny Zelaya.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA junior quarterback Jackson Roth looks for a receiver downfield.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA senior Jack Meyers cuts through a hole in the Bell Creek defense.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA senior defensive end Robert Crisci leaps to pressure Bell Creek senior quarterback Davis Quin'Darryn
Photo by Ryan KohnODA senior Jack Meyers makes a tackle on Bell Creek sophomore Juvandy Robinson.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA senior running back/linebacker Charlie Tack lowers his shoulder into the Bell Creek defense.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA senior Charlie Tack (8) churns up the field against Bell Creek.
Photo by Ryan KohnODA freshman linebacker/safety Devin Erdei (30) celebrates an interception against Bell Creek with freshman defensive end Trevor Kovatch (56).
Photo by Ryan KohnThings started well for The Out-of-Door Academy football team (3-3) Oct. 7 against Bell Creek Academy (2-3).
Getting the ball first, the Thunder marched down the field with a drive punctuated with sophomore running back Allen Clark's one-yard touchdown run. After the extra point was partially blocked, resulting in a miss, ODA led 6-0.
Bell Creek responded with a touchdown drive of its own, finished with a short run by senior Manny Zelaya. Instead of kicking an extra point, Bell Creek attempted a two-point conversion and was successful, with senior quarterback Davis Quin'Darryn scrambling and finding Zelaya in the corner of the end zone.
It appeared the game was destined to be a shootout. Instead, neither team would score another point: Bell Creek walked away with an 8-6 victory. The Thunder did get within field goal range for senior kicker Mika Levy in the second quarter, but the 47-yard kick was blocked. Bell Creek also threatened to score on one additional drive, but was stopped on fourth and goal.
The ODA offense was hampered by injuries. Already down several starters, the Thunder lost Clark and sophomore Max Polivchak, a starting offensive lineman, which slowed the team's running game.
"Those guys are difference-makers for us," ODA Head Coach Rob Hollway said. "So that hurt us. We're going to have to move some guys around. I said at the beginning of the year, we're a team that has a chance if we stay healthy. When you're a team with 40 guys on the roster, even one injury — especially a starting guard or a starting tailback — is hard."
Hollway said he was proud of the way his defense stayed stout through the offense's struggles but was more critical of his special teams unit, saying that the blocked kicks were "disappointing" and affected the game's outcome.
