Story
Seminole Ridge 26, No. 9 Wellington 7: Hawks earn first victory
Friday, September 21, 2012
by
Joseph Kairalla
Winless Seminole Ridge entered Friday night's game against undefeated Wellington as the underdog.
It was an unfamiliar role for the perennial powerhouse Hawks, but after thrashing the Wolverines 26-7, its safe to say Ridge appears back into familiar territory as one of the area's top teams.
The Hawks, who were beaten handily in each of their first two games, got back to the basics against Wellington by using a power running game and dominant defense to dismantle the Wolverines.
"We don't make excuses anymore," Hawks coach Matt Dickmann said. "We're a very good team, and tonight we started to show glimpses of what we can be."
Running back Silas Spearman led the way for Ridge, running for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns. He gave the Hawks the early lead when he broke a 42-yard scoring run midway through the first quarter.
"All the credit goes to my line -- they open holes and I just run hard," Spearman said.
Ninth-ranked Wellington (3-1) fumbled on the ensuing possession, and again the Hawks (1-2) made the Wolverines pay. This time fullback Alberto Hildago bruised his way in from 1 yard out, making it 14-0.
"We were too sloppy again, but we were able to hide it a little behind the play of our offensive line and running backs," Dickmann said.
Conversely, Wellington struggled offensively throughout. In the first half, the Wolverines gained just two first downs -- one via penalty. The swarming Hawks defense forced a safety midway through the second, making it 16-0. Derek Falk added a 39-yard field goal minutes later to hive Ridge a 19-0 lead at the break.
It appeared Wellington might have a comeback in it when Matthew Sabatino broke a long touchdown run early in the third, cutting the lead to 19-7. But Wellington couldn't get out of its own way as penalties and dropped passes hampered any chance of the Wolverines improving to 4-0.
Twice in the second half, Wellington receivers dropped passes with nothing but open field in front of them.
"We got bailed out," Dickmann said, "but we kept fighting and made it tough on them"
The Hawks put the finishing touches on their first victory of the year when Spearman ran it in from 4 yards out in the fourth quarter.
"We're starting to get healthy and see players play to their potential," Dickmann said. "If we can have another few weeks of solid practices, the ceiling for this team is going to keep getting higher.
"I think we're on our way to we here we want to be."
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User Comments:
@Matt & Jeff commented on September 21, 2012 at 11:47 p.m.: report abuse
Not hating, but I told u guys it was a trip to put Wellington on the top 10 just because they got lucky and John I played terrible and they beat them, they're a hard nosed team, they fight hard, but the talent to be a top 10 team is just not there.
Barrack Obama commented on September 21, 2012 at 11:57 p.m.: report abuse
Great game boys. I was in the stands watching in a full body wuit so nobody can see me (; , thanks you John for the body suit...
Anyway, good game and vote for me.
what ever commented on September 22, 2012 at 12:02 a.m.: report abuse
Ridge left offensive line is probably the best in the county. I know everyones taking about PIC line but i think #53 is one of the best guard out there.
old coach commented on September 22, 2012 at 9:47 a.m.: report abuse
dont panic wellington fans. with boynton,f hill,jupiter,a very down vero,grove and a solid win against john I - you guys will be 6-4 which is better than expected. bubble wrap your qb and sabatino kid - injury to them and your O is gone.
HS fan commented on September 22, 2012 at 10:33 a.m.: report abuse
Proud of the way well boys kept fighting and playing hard all night. They made it interesting in the second half against a team that has more talent all over the field. But WHS demonstrated again that they a huge heart and will not go down without a fight. They dropped a pass in the end zone and another one wide open. Also had a great return in the opening kickoff saved by the kicker. Still proud of the boys and coaching staff. They have 2 very difficult games in a row at pbc and home to Newman. But they are competing. They are young and will continue to get better.
PB poster commented on September 22, 2012 at 10:38 a.m.: report abuse
The ranking does not matter. It is about a new era in Wellington Football. And that is what we are seeing. The rest will come with time.
Ball Coach commented on September 22, 2012 at 2:01 p.m.: report abuse
Good game ridge you guys was able to handle the weather better than wellington. I do think wellington is much improve than they was last year. I still think that wellington has much more talent on their team than there or showcasing. If they would spread the ball early in often it would benefit them more. But over all they did keep fighting in was not able to overcome their own mistakes.
viewer commented on September 22, 2012 at 2:31 p.m.: report abuse
bottom line is wellington need to utilize all their players and not only design plays for # 15 and # 17 they are not the only players on the team and your line need to start blocking for the rest of the RBs.
I thought the team has a new coach.
High School Football Daze commented on September 22, 2012 at 2:33 p.m.: report abuse
It was not a boring game, the weather, the slop, the penalties, the mistakes, the almost come-back, Ridges power run game. Congrats to the Hawks for a well deserved win. They won the battles in the trenches, which wore down the obvious warriors in the Wolverines. Talk about "never say die!" Wellington continues to make big plays or near big plays in this one. Really, Welly was two or three big plays from making this closer than the stats would show. Hawk kicker has to make a shoe-string tackle to save an opening touchdown kick return, and two 4th down dropped passes to keep a drive alive, both in Ridge territory, one possibly a touchdown. The pass was dropped at the 8 yd line with onebody within 15 or 20 yds. Sabatino's 42 yd scamper to the house, after breaking tackle after tackle. Ridge bent but did not break, powering close to 300 yds rushing with Welly tackling often after 5 and 10 yd gains by the Hawk backfield. Conditions caused this game numerous turnovers on both sides. Oh, don't forget the Welly INT at their own 5 yd line, when it should have been batted down. Next comes the safey. It was obvious who's line prevailed in this one. It was entertaining almost to the wire. Ridge finally gets a win, and Welly will have to rebound as their schedule stays tough. I wonder if they can stay as tough. Best of luck to both the rest of the season.
old coach commented on September 22, 2012 at 2:48 p.m.: report abuse
credit to ridge for showing class by taking a knee inside the five rather than put another score on a very beaten wellington. thats a coach with class
Mutual Respect commented on September 22, 2012 at 5:15 p.m.: report abuse
Nice to see mutual respect from neighboring schools. Credit to both coaches and players for keeping it positive. Congrats to Welly for their fire and fight and congrats to Ridge on their W.
Spectator commented on September 22, 2012 at 5:46 p.m.: report abuse
Where in the hell was #2 last year??!!
If ridge woulve ran him, then might have had a ring. 220 yards 21 carries that's freakin crazy... I know how the hawks win GIVE THE BALL TO #2. And watch him go.
what ever commented on September 22, 2012 at 6:28 p.m.: report abuse
In just saying the truth that's way someone flagged me for abuse. If i was the coach #6 will be on the bench.
what ever commented on September 22, 2012 at 6:51 p.m.: report abuse
If Seminole Ridge is runner like that they need to pound the other team and hope #6 holds onto the ball. # 21 is also a good running back. If your backs are putting up those kind of numbers that means the line has to be good. Like i said the left side. Is #53 the same kid who made All County last year.
GREAT commented on September 22, 2012 at 7:32 p.m.: report abuse
Reading the paper this morning seminole ridge's silas spearman was soooo humble....he gave the glory to all the people thats around him. Backs AND LINE
whoevers son this is should be proud.this kid is one of the best backs ive seen at the ridge since Gray Holmes
ridge really has a good team, long as the cut down on the turn overs i think you can plan on seeing them in state it takes a team effort LETTS GOO HAWKS
The Ridge commented on September 23, 2012 at 10:41 a.m.: report abuse
Big win for the ridge.give props to the center.Troy Artiles #76 he is a beast on the o line keep up the hard work.
Hs football commented on September 24, 2012 at 3:55 p.m.: report abuse
#76 center needs to be improved. He needs help he looks like a sloth out there hes so lazy
welly d commented on September 25, 2012 at 1:12 p.m.: report abuse
Pick on another player #76 is solid. Watch the film. He dominates every game.
wrestle hard commented on September 25, 2012 at 1:56 p.m.: report abuse
Your talking about the Hawks heavyweight. Look and see for yourself: www.YouTube.com/user/troyartiles
what ever commented on September 25, 2012 at 2:53 p.m.: report abuse
#76 stop posting about your self, no one on her knows you are the heavyweight wrestler for the Ridge. If you post comments be ready for backlash on it
what ever commented on September 25, 2012 at 3:07 p.m.: report abuse
Does anyone knows if #2 for Seminole Ridge has any offers for school yet? I read that Kyle Shortridge has offers, but
he's not the only one on defense #1 looks like the leader out there and #95 is quick and fast, #99 is big and strong but has no techniques as far as getting in all he does is what they call bullrush learn some basic skills so you can be better in your position. Just saying.
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