Battling Spartans Survive Ot Thriller
By JOHN ERZAR [email protected]
Saturday, October 27, 2001 Page: 3B
HAZLETON – A few hours after helping his school’s soccer team to a District
like most people – just trying to stay warm.
The frigid weather, blustery wind and sporadic snow flurries may have
chilled the midfielder-turned-kicker, but a Hazleton Area overtime time-out
wasn’t about to “ice” him.
“Not really. I was focused on making the kick,” Hettrich said.
Hettrich’s point-after cut through the formidable wind and the uprights,
giving Valley West a 14-13 overtime victory over Hazleton Area in a Northeast
Pennsylvania Football Conference Division 1 game.
“They never quit. They played and played and played,” Valley West coach
Ed Michaels said. “It was one of the most exciting wins I’ve ever been
around.”
Valley West (4-0 Div. 1, 6-3 overall) kept its slim District 1/2-4 Class 4A
subregional playoff hopes alive, while Hazleton Area (2-2, 6-3) saw its
subregional playoffs chances take a severe setback.
The Cougars had taken a 13-7 lead in overtime when quarterback Scott Bisco
lofted a 12-yard touchdown pass to Joe Nicholas in the right corner of the end
zone. But Valley West’s Brian Mattes, a 6-foot-6 Division I recruit, blocked
the extra point.
Mattes’ block allowed Hettrich to boot the game winner after quarterback
Mike Crossin lobbed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Bob Chipego on third down.
Chipego lined up by himself on the left side while three players lined up on
the right. Chipego caught the pass short of the goal line, then twisted away
from a tackle.
“It was a play we set up where, whoever’s open get them the ball,”
Chipego said. “I happened to beat my guy and get open.”
The overtime touchdown ended what was a frustrating offensive game for the
Spartans. Crossin had a receiver fall in the first quarter, resulting in an
interception by Hazleton Area’s Pat Brown and a 22-yard touchdown run by Matt
McGowan on the next play.
In the third quarter after a short punt and a 21-yard rush by Chipego, the
Spartans had the ball at the Hazleton Area 5-yard line. Chipego then ran for a
touchdown, but a hold and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty negated the
score.
Another penalty and a sack eventually gave Valley West a third-and-goal
from its 43-yard line where it quick punted.
Valley West managed to tie the score 7-7 with 10:57 left in regulation on a
Hazleton Area responded, but like Valley West, saw an excellent scoring
chance end.
With just over four minutes left, Bisco connected for gains of 45 and 42
yards to Nicholas, but both times Valley West defensive back Jim Jordan made
touchdown-saving tackles.
“We made the tackle. That’s what it’s about,” Michaels said.
The Cougars eventually moved to the Valley West 3, but Piekanski recovered
a fumble with 2:35 left. The Spartans ran out the clock, sending the game into
overtime.
Valley West’s division-leading defense held McGowan to 16 yards on 12
carries and elusive tailback Josh Heck to 13 on nine rushes.
