Published: October 17, 2009 12:42 am      

FOOTBALL: Tigers hang on for win

Comets close fast but can’t get the upset

Trailing 28-7 in the fourth quarter, Eastern finally got its high-powered passing game going to make its Mid-Indiana Conference game at Northwestern interesting. The Comets scored twice in the final 6:23, and nearly got the ball back on an onside kick attempt with 3:18 left, but the Tigers were able to hold on for a 28-21 victory Friday night.

Northwestern dominated the early stages of the game. The Tigers scored touchdowns on their first three possessions, while holding Eastern to just one first down in its first five offensive series. Just :50 into the second quarter, Northwestern led 21-0 and looked ready to blow away the Comets.

“After the first quarter we just didn’t execute very well,” Northwestern coach John Hendryx said. “There were lots of opportunities we just didn’t take advantage of. Fortunately, our defense made some big plays when we had to have them. This reminds me a lot of how we played against Hamilton Heights (a 24-17 loss).”

While the Tigers’ offense was running all over the Comets, their defense was just as impressive. Eastern had minus 4 yards rushing in the first half on eight carries. The Comets didn’t cross into Northwestern territory until its sixth and final possession of the first half. That drive died at the Northwestern 20 as time expired.

Northwestern’s final three drives of the first half ended with two punts and a lost fumble. That fumble was scooped up by Eastern’s Joey Price who raced into the end zone from 17 yards out, leaving the halftime score 21-7.

The Tigers’ offense found its rhythm again late in the third quarter, thanks largely to the running of Michael Schulte. The senior fullback ran seven times for 27 yards during that drive, including a two-yard touchdown plunge that proved to be the game winner. With 11:50 left in the game the Tigers looked in control, leading 28-7.

“Mike’s a tough kid,” Hendryx said. “He runs hard and has some speed.” Schulte rushed 18 times for 118 yards and caught a pass for 5 more yards.

Eastern followed Schulte’s touchdown with by far its best drive of the game. The Comets’ quarterback Jonathan Keith engineered a 13-play, 68-yard scoring drive to make things interesting. Keith connected on 8 of 10 pass attempts during that drive, including a 1 yarder to Tyler Harnish to close the gap to 28-14 with 6:28 left.

The Comets’ defense forced a three and out on Northwestern’s next possession and Keith went back to work. This time Eastern scored quickly, needing just five plays and 1:14 to go 92 yards. Keith hit Blake Donson for 42 yards on the first play of the drive. The Comets advanced the ball to the 37 on the next four plays, aided by a 15-yard interference call. On first down from the Tigers’ 37, Keith tossed a lateral pass to Harnish who threw a wobbly, but accurate bomb to Caleb Gibson for a touchdown with 3:22 to go.

Eastern attempted its onsides kick, and for the third time, Northwestern recovered.

Helped by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Eastern sideline, Northwestern was able to run out the clock to preserve the victory.

Keith completed 23 of 37 pass attempts (60 percent) for 249 yards and a touchdown.

Northwestern ended the regular season at 7-2 overall, and 5-2 in the MIC. The Comets fell to 4-5 and 3-4.