Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Week ten in Ross football history...1991

FOSTORIA 14, ROSS 6

Week 10 of the 1991 season saw the Little Giants host state power Fostoria in the first Great Lakes League meeting between the two teams. The game was also the first between the two old rivals since 1961.

The Redmen roared into the game as the number one team in the state of Ohio in division two and were also a legitimate nationally recognized power. Fostoria was 9-0 overall and 5-0 in the GLL. The Rex Radeloff coached Little Giants came into the game at 5-4 overall and 4-1 league mark. Despite blustery conditions earlier in the day 7,000 roaring fans jammed Harmon Stadium for the game.

In the game, the overpowering Redmen offense outgained the Little Giants 300 yards to just 51. Fostoria ran 73 offensive plays to 38 for the Purple and White. Looking at those numbers you might think that Fostoria head coach Dick Kidwells prediction of his team winning by two TD's was on the spot. But as Lee Corso likes to say...Not so fast!

The Joe Siesel coached Ross defense kept the Little Giants in the contest. Siesel felt that his charges performance was the best in a long time. He credited Doug Siesel, Dan Frederick, and Damon Walker with playing a great game and keying the Ross defensive effort.

Fostoria drew blood first. The Redmen put together a 10 play, 56 yard drive that was capped by a Derek Kidwell to Tony Hammond 20 yard TD pass on a third down and five situation. The PAT was good and the Redmen were up 7-0.

The middle of the contest was a defensive showcase as neither team could crack the endzone. The Little Giants changed that with 10:50 to play in the game. The Ross defense held the Redmen, forcing them to punt. Derek Kidwell was at the 10 yard line to punt but fumbled the ball and the Little Giants recovered it. The purple and white quickly took advantage of the star QB's gift and scored on an Allen Dorsey to Nick Wolf pass for 20 yards into the endzone. The PAT was no good and the Redmen held a slim 7-6 lead.

Fostoria scored the final points of the contest at the end of a 64 yard drive. Tom Bretigam had a key 27 yard run to the Ross one to keep the drive moving. Bretigam put the ball into the endzone on the next play. The PAT was good and with :34 left in the contest the Fostorians were up 14-6.

The Little Giants were unable to mount any kind of challenge with the clock quickly ticking down and the Redmen won the contest. Fostoria went on to win the DII state championship and their talented QB Derek Kidwell was named Ohios Mr. Football.

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