If someone would've told me before the game that we'd
be up 14 - 0 on the Muskego Hitmen, I would've said,
"There's no way, unless they overlooked us and
practiced to play Madison!"
Before the game I noticed something as I walked the
sidelines. There was a calm focus, something in the
air that had them itching to get on the field, and they
were letting it build...
The Milwaukee Venom got the first kick-off and got
down to the 33 yard line to start their drive. After
a couple of runs the offensive call comes in to back
Muskego's defense off, a deep pass. QB #4 2008 All-Star
Tony Henner drops back and releases the ball to WR #46
Troy Uebele. Pass complete! 58 yards later the Good
Guys In Black would get another set of downs and as
if he hasn't been in the end zone himself enough this
year on defense, FS/WR/KR/PR #7 2008 All-Star Solomon
Cabell would see the end zone for the first score of
the game.
Your Score Orange and Black 7 - 0.
On their first possession Muskego would drive and pick
up yards, but to no avail. Interception! Out of nowhere
and once again with blazing speed, FS #7 Solomon Cabell
correctly read and cut the route off to pick up his
10th interception in 9 games this season! After picking
up some yards against the Hitmen very stingy defense,
we were forced to punt. After the return, this gave
Muskego the ball on our own 42 yard line. Not liking
to be on our side of the field and seeing that's exactly
where the Hitmen were, angered Milwaukee's hard hitting
defense. On the third play from scrimmage, Muskego would
be forced to punt themselves. (The start of the game
had an erie feel to it, almost as if we've seen it before.
Two years ago and on a forced punt in the first quarter,
The Milwaukee Venom blocked the Muskego punt and got
the ball in the end zone... ) The long snapper sends
the ball to to Muskego's 2008 All-Star Punter #9 Abraham
and disaster strikes! The ball is sent over the punter's
head! SS/OLB #16 "Ricky Bobby" Batzler made
a dash for the ball and made the tackle on a huge loss,
just as the punter picked it up, Venom ball on the 11!
3 Plays later we would see #26 2008 All-Star Kyle 2-6
Grindin' Wilson get himself a touchdown and graciously
flip the ball to the ref as he ran back to the huddle.
Your Score Good Guys in Orange 14 - 0.
After a couple of punts back and forth we would see
the ball in Muskego's hands once again. Being down seemed
to frustrate the Hitmen, but luck wasn't just on The
Venom side... On a broken play, Muskego QB Janatis would
find some pressure and no where to throw the ball when
suddenly he catches the eye of his outlet, RB Hill in
the flats. He flips him the ball and in tightrope fashion,
Hill would stick to the sideline break a tackle and
make it all the way down to The Venom 7 yard line! With
11:54 left in the second quarter,
Your Score Venom 14 - 7.
The improved score seemed to give Muskego new life,
they could breath a little better. They would force
the Venom offense to punt. After taking their possession
all the way down to The Venom 32 yard line, is where
The Black And Orange defense decided to step up. The
Hitmen would attempt a field goal and... Wide right!
Milwaukee attempted to take time off the clock by keeping
the ball on the ground. After gaining some yards and
eating some clock, they would decide to punt the ball
back to Muskego. The Hitmen knew they would get the
ball at the start of the third quarter and if they could
score here, might change the momentum of the game around.
Muskego drove down field and picked up yards. There
was only a couple of seconds left on the clock and Muskego
would take a shot at the end zone. The ball seemed to
float in the air for an eternity. The defense sat back
and read the ball. A collision in the air as the catch
was made spun the receiver around as he fell to the
ground. His feet were in the end zone!!! As he landed,
his body fell outside the end zone, ball was placed
on the one yard line as time ran out.
Your Score At Half Milwaukee 14 - 7.
The Milwaukee Venom are known for being a second half
team, but this season have been playing well in all
four quarters. After a first half like that, would there
be more fireworks and flare? Hey, this is Milwaukee
vs. Muskego! On their first possession, Muskego would
go 3-and-out and once again punt to The Good Guys In
Black. The very dangerous #7 Solomon Cabell would make
people re-think their All-Star votes for Punt Returner
of the year and in Babe Ruth fashion said in the huddle,
"I'm running this one back!" The punt went
up, it's a floater, Muskego raced down field and was
in the face of Solomon. Riskily, Solomon picked up the
ball on a bounce and shook the first two Hitmen to the
ground. He received a block, switched directions to
the other side of the field, and outran almost everyone
in sight. Only two were left to beat, advantage Solomon
Cabell...
Your Score Early In The Third Quarter Good Guys 21 -
7.
The ensuing kick went out of bounds, giving the Hitmen
a chance at a shortened field with the ball on the 40.
Muskego gained yards but were running out of time quickly.
with 4th and 6 to go on the 23 yard line, they once
again attempt a shot into the end zone. WR #46 Troy
Uebele stepped in at corner with #17 2007 All-Star CB
Kevin Willingham out due to severe cramping. The pass
was thrown to Troy's side and Troy attempted to cut
off the route for an interception, but was forced to
bat the ball down giving the ball back to the V-Train
Offense on the 23! The Venom took over close to their
own red zone when disaster occurred! Fumble! The Hitmen
landed on the ball fighting with QB #4 Tony Henner for
the ball on the 21 yard line. The Hitmen could taste
the end zone they were so close. But once again this
would anger the Black Cloud Defense of The Milwaukee
Venom. On 2nd down the Hitmen, not learning any previous
lessons attempted to pass the ball. Interception! MLB
#31 Chris Frese jumped the inside route and earned himself
his first interception of the season! The ball switched
possessions on 3-and outs 3 times in the next 8 minuets.
The Muskego offense would start their next possession
on the Venom 10 yard line. On second down they attempt
to run the ball and the furious Venom defense would
not let them gain any more yards. 2007 All-Star OLB
#11 Jeromy Letendre would land on a forced fumble giving
the Venom offense the ball once more! The Venom offense
was grateful and turned their possession into a new
set of downs, but in the end, was be forced to punt
again. With #0 PR Warren Halloway back to receive the
ball, it is always scary to punt the ball. In this case,
it would prove to be costly. Warren would see the end
zone with just under 3:00 minuets. remaining.
Your Score Black And Orange 21 - 14.
All The Venom had to do was gain a first down to run
out the clock, but after all, these are the playoffs
and Muskego would give their offense one more attempt
to tie the score. After punting the ball again, the
Hitmen would return the punt all the way down to The
Venom 33 yard line! There was 1:50 left in the game.
Muskego's offense would take shots into the end zone.
On 4th and 10 QB Janatis dropped back with huge pressure
from SS #20 Evan Burgos, he turned around right into
the face of OLB #16 Ricky Bobby Batzler for the sack!
The Venom would run a play and kneel on the ball to
end the game!
End Score Venom 21 - 14.
The Hitmen have been a perennial playoff franchise
and Ironbowl contender. The game was hard fought and
The Milwaukee Venom just ended up on top. With a couple
of bounced balls landing in their hands or even just
a little more luck, the game could've gone the other
way. The Milwaukee Venom would like to wish MLB Jason
Huckstorf all the luck in the world with his retirement
from this game. He has had an awesome run and we would
also like to congratulate both him and Nick Seliger
for being enshrined into the IFL Hall Of Fame 2008!
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