Football plays tough quarter

Hiram's 21-point start is too much to overcome

Oberlin's football team outplayed Hiram in the second quarter Saturday, but that wasn't enough to overcome an 21 point first quarter deficit.

In front of a crowd of hard-core fans and a 20-person pep band who sat through cold rainy conditions to see the game, Oberlin ultimately fell 42-6 and extended its losing streak to a Division III-high 32 games.

The audience saw better football out of Oberlin than in past years, though. Oberlin received compliments from Hiram coaches, who noted improvements in the Yeomen's game. "In a game you know when a team respects you. When a team doesn't respect you they put in their second squad and Hiram didn't do that... I feel like Hiram respected Oberlin," junior wide receiver Gerald Blankson said.

The final score of last Saturday's game, 42-6, was an improvement from the 1995 game against Hiram of 57-7. But it's not just the score that matters. "The game felt better this year than last year," Blankson said.

With three touchdowns in the first quarter of the game, Hiram could have had Oberlin players feeling pretty down. Oberlin came back in the second quarter with huge defense and a 73-yard play with two minutes left in the half that gave Oberlin the longest play of the day and a touchdown.

The 73-yard James Parker touchdown pass to Blankson was the only score for the Yeomen. An unsuccessful extra point left Oberlin behind by 15 at the half.

Hiram only scored one touchdown in the third quarter, followed by two touchdowns in the fourth. Oberlin kept up its game, and its defense.

The Yeomen defensive line was strong. Led by first-years Rick Kocher and Jabari Struill, sophomores Gilbert Saenz and Jason Cunningham, and senior Terry Halter, the defense was able to prevent scores by Hiram especially due to tackles close to Oberlin's end zone.

Beginning in the second quarter, Oberlin defense opened its eyes... and tackled. With 10:31 left in the second quarter, Kocher had a tackle resulting in Hiram losing yardage. A defensive block by Spruill was one of the highlights that gave Oberlin the momentum that lead the Yeomen to their touchdown play from the 27-yard line.

Oberlin defense maintained its strength with great plays by Saenz and Halter in the third quarter.

Parker was injured in the fourth quarter, thus putting Blankson in as quarterback for a short time. It was Blankson's first time in a game as quarterback. Since Parker only minorly sprained his ankle, he will be playing next week against Kenyon.

Saturday, Oberlin takes on Kenyon College. Kenyon is the last team Oberlin beat, but that was in 1993. Thus, while Oberlin is outwardly optimistic about each and every one of its opponents, Kenyon is an opponent the Yeomen are expecting to beat. "On videotapes from last year, we look bad playing Kenyon. We are a lot better now," Blankson said. "We're going to beat Kenyon."

Beef on the line: The Yeomen defense goes up against Hiram's line in Saturday's game, which Hiram won 42-6(photo by Whitney Smith)