Failed two-point conversion seals the team’s fate against Brodhead
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
Hard-fought battles on the football field between Big Foot and Brodhead have become a yearly thing,
The 2015 matchup certainly wasn’t any different – unfortunately for the Chiefs, it was the Cardinals this time who enjoyed the upper hand.
Big Foot rallied from 14 points down in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t convert on a game-tying two-point conversion in the second overtime in a tough 29-27 Rock Valley Conference loss.
The Chiefs fell to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play, as they fell to the Cardinals for the second straight year.
Second-year Big Foot coach Greg Enz tried to pull the positives out of the setback.
“It was a tough loss, but not one that will affect us negatively,” he said. “If anything, it has helped our young team grow, and we have learned some things that we need to and will improve upon in the weeks to come to have the opportunity to play them again (in the post-season).”
After a scoreless first overtime, Brodhead reached the end zone on a scoring strike from quarterback Matt Schmitt to Ned Slocum. The Cardinals then added the two-point conversion.
But the Chiefs weren’t done yet, as quarterback Zak Greco connected on a 12-yard touchdown pass to Pedro Sierra, who wasn’t the intended target, Enz said, but the two made the best of the situation.
“The touchdown (pass) was intended to be a sprint out to the trips side,” Enz said. “Zak reversed field, and the receivers did a great job of redirecting their routes to get open for the touchdown reception, and (Sierra) made that happen.”
Big Foot had a chance on the conversion play, as Greco found Michael Heidenreich, but he was unable to keep his feet in bounds.
“Nine times out of 10, we stay in (bounds), but this time, the route and ball just pulled us inches out of the back of the end zone,” Enz said.
Cardinals strike first
Brodhead got on the scoreboard in the first quarter to take an early 6-0 lead, but the Chiefs answered on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Greco to Jackson Enz.
Ben Bauer added the extra point to put Big Foot out in front at 7-6.
The Cardinals answered with two straight touchdowns, including one two-point conversion, to build a 21-7 lead heading into the final 12 minutes. One of Brodhead’s scores came on fourth-down-and-20 play late in the first half.
Enz credited Brodhead’s tough defense from keeping his team out of the end zone during that stretch.
“Brodhead toughened up on us as we got to the goal line,” he said. “We had some key penalties on touchdowns, or we got knocked out of bounds before we could get our feet down.
“We were effective in moving the ball, but they were stout when it mattered.”
Big Foot rallied to force overtime, as Greco scored on a six-yard touchdown, followed by a 19-yard pass from Greco to Heidenreich that cut the deficit to just two at 21-19.
The Greco-Heidenreich combination hooked up again on the two-point conversion to knot the score.
Enz said the game plan didn’t change even when his team fell behind.
“We didn’t really change anything,” he said. “We were able to overcome penalties and were able to convert when it mattered.
For the game, Greco completed 13 of 26 passes for three touchdowns and 138 yards. He also added 37 yards rushing on 13 carries.
Heidenreich led the way with eight cars for 86 yards and eight receptions for 71 yards, followed by Enz with two catches for 48 yards. Olinh Craig added 31 rushing yards on six attempts.
Defensive leaders included Brennan Malone with 16 tackles, Charlie Peterson with 13, Craig with 10, Mark Schauf and Jacque Christman with nine and Heidenreich with eight.
Chiefs hit the road
Big Foot looks to bounce back Friday night when it travels to Palmyra-Eagle to face the Panthers at 7 p.m. Palmyra fell to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the RVC with a 48-7 loss last week to Clinton.
Enz said that setback and the Panthers’ overall record is deceiving, however.
“Palmyra-Eagle is much better than they look on film,” he said. “They’re very dangerous. We have to play sound football and not give them short fields.
“(We need to) play in between the chains, not behind them, convert drives and limit explosive plays by our opponent.”
