Nov. 8, 2008

Today’s crowd of 5,152 is the fourth largest in Adam’s Field history.  The last time this many people filled these bleachers was in 1974.  Unfortunately, the Warriors couldn’t pull out the win for their faithful fans. They were unable to stop Berezik and the extremely talented Grand Valley offense despite their strong efforts.  Your final score is 24-10.     

Heading into the fourth quarter, Grand Valley has the ball at the Warrior 28-yard line.  A successful 19-yard pass ends in a second touchdown for the Lakers.  The extra point attempt is good and the Lakers take their first lead of the game 17-10.  Despite the forecast, Mother Nature has spared us of both rain and snow.  Fans are huddled together under their thick winter coats and blankets hoping to survive the last 12 chilly minutes of this exciting game. With 11:08 left in the game the Lakers fumble the ball while attempting to return a punt.  Smith and the Warriors take over possession at the Grand Valley 41-yard line.  Unfortunately, the Warriors do little to decrease their deficit on this particular offensive run.  After Lakers Smolen and James Berezik (Fraser, Mich./Warren De La Salle) took turns rushing the ball down the field, Head Coach Chuck Martin has decided to go for it on fourth down.  The successful drive places the Lakers at the Wayne State 24-yard-line. Eventually, a five-yard touchdown run by Berezik puts six more points on the board for Grand Valley.  A successful extra point attempt increases their lead to 24-10.  

During halftime the fans enjoyed the sounds of The Marcels while both teams met in their locker rooms to discuss strategy for the second half.  With less than three minutes into the third quarter, Bell has a 15-yrd carry placing the Warriors at the Laker 40-yard-line.  Daryl Graham (Detroit, Mich./St. Martin de Porres) follows with a 13-yard carry passing Reggie Sparmon for 10^th all-time GLIAC rushing yards.  The Warriors don’t get the touchdown, but after a successful 22-yard field goal attempt by David Chudzinski (Belleville, Mich./Belleville), they increase their lead to 10-3 over the Lakers.  Following nine carries and 73 yards, the Lakers finally grab their first touchdown of the game with 6:06 left in the third.  The score is currently tied 10-10.  

At the end of the first quarter, the Warriors still lead 7-0.  This is the first game of the 2008 season that the Lakers have not scored in the first quarter.  Attempting to grab their first points in the early second, the Lakers run into the Warrior defense yet again.  With just five minutes left in the half, there has been little movement by either team on the offensive end. Finally, the Lakers get the ball to the Wayne State 20 with 2:26 on the clock.  Laker quarterback Brad Iciek (Grandville, Mich.) completes a 16-yard pass to Blake Smolen (Grose Ile, Mich.) reaching the Warrior red zone. Iciek attempts a throw from the Warrior three-yard-line, but Dunn carries the ball out of bounds. After 16 plays and 68 yards, the Lakers decide to kick a field goal.  It sails through the uprights making the score 7-3 Warriors heading into halftime.   

Captains Joique Bell (Benton Harbor, Mich./Benton Harbor), Dante Dunn (Lansing, Mich./Waverly), Tristan Black (Toronto, Ont./Vanier Prep) and Andrew Bates (Howell, Mich./Howell) take the field for the coin toss.  It’s been decided that The Warriors will start today’s game on the receiving end.  After 6 plays and 65 yards, Bell breaks through several defenders rushing 22 yards to grab the Warriors first touchdown of the game.  After a successful extra point attempt, the Warriors lead 7-0 with 12:14 on the clock.  The Lakers attempt to grab their first touchdown of the game, but are stopped by the intense Warrior defense.  WSU quarterback, Kevin Smith (Detroit, Mich./Central) runs the ball to the Laker 49-yard line gaining 35 yards on the play.  Another valiant effort by the Warrior offense ends in a turn over at the 20-yard-line.  

Less than a half hour before game time, the fans begin to poor into Adam's field awaiting the much-anticipated match up between The Wayne State University Warriors and The Grand Valley State University Lakers. The Warriors head into today's game with a 7-2 record in the GLIAC while the first-place Lakers have a perfect record of 9-0. The weather forecast is grim for the Warriors last regular season game. Winds are coming from the SW at 14 mph while the sun peaks through the thick layer of gray clouds. Fortunately, there is little room left in the stands. Fans seem eager to see one of the more important games in Warrior history despite the weather conditions. It's been 14 years since the Warriors defeated the Lakers. Let's hope they can continue their four-game win streak grabbing their fifth today against the Lakers.