Tradition • Character • Service

Tradition • Character • Service

Friday, September 30, 2011

Sorry folks, no podcast this week.

Sorry folks,

No podcast this week as the education of America's children has cut way into my time to chase down interviews. I really enjoy doing the podcast but things got a bit hairy this week.

I'll be back next week. Promise.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Hillsdale's Joe Glendening is Week 4 GLIAC Football Player of the Week

Hillsdale College's junior running back Joe Glendening was named GLIAC offensive football player of the week  on Monday after his 5 touchdown performance versus Lake Erie College on Saturday.

Glendening had 139 yards and 4 touchdowns rushing and caught 3 passes for 22 yards including another score in the team's 35-26 conference victory.

The Chargers are 3-1 on the season and 3-0 in the GLIAC.

Patrick Heckenlively photo

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Chargers weather the Storm 35-26 in win over Lake Erie

#21 Hillsdale 35
Lake Erie 26 F


This one was way too close for comfort and was a lot like last year's game except it didn't take a heroic fumble return to win. Lake Erie took a page from the Hillsdale game plan and used ball control and short passing to take a 19-14 halftime lead.

Hillsdale took its first drive of the 2nd half to the endzone on an 8:00+ drive to go up 21-19. The Storm answered back immediately to make it 26-21 midway through the 3rd.

The Hillsdale defense finally got its grip and made big stops the rest of the way. Hillsdale's offense would eventually wear out Lake Erie as evidenced by the big runs Mifsud and Glendening would amass on the final two scoring drives.

Hillsdale: Joe Glendening: 36 carries for 139 yards, 4TD rushing - 3/22 1TD receiving
Anthony Mifsud: 24/33 for 251 passing 1TD 0INT, 50 yards rushing
Mifsud used 10 Hillsdale receivers. Andrew Mott led with 5 catches for 47 yards.
Devin Moynihan had 11 stops and a sack defensively

Lake Erie: Sean Bevedelsky: 17/21 183 passing, 69 yards and a TD rushing.
Alexander led LEC with 11 carries for 97 yards. David Romeo also carried for a TD.
Cameron Bryant had 9 tackles for the Storm

Friday, September 23, 2011

New Podcast posted: Riders on the Storm

Episode 2 is now up at the new Podcast page.

Give it a couple of minutes to load.

D2football.com: Tony Nicolette previews Chargers and Storm, rest of GLIAC

#21 Hillsdale (2-0, 2-1) at Lake Erie (0-2, 1-2)

After getting dumped in week one, the Chargers have found a way to win a pair of close games with wild finishes against quality opponents. They head to the shores of Lake Erie to take on a Storm outfit that has struggled mightily after getting the season off to a winning start against Gannon just three short weeks ago.


Hillsdale Keys:
- Give Joe a Break - I've chronicled how important Joe Glendening is to HC's offense. With that in mind, giving the kid a break might be in order. Anthony Mifsud has definitely settled in at the controls of the Charger offense, and the Lake Erie defense appears to be struggling in much the same way it did in 2010. Glendening had 40 touches last week, and while the kid can make plays his per carry average is down significantly over a year ago...not to mention he's on pace to risk being dinged once again down the stretch. I'd look for other ways to move the ball in this one, especially considering other options should present themselves against a sub-par defense. This is a good game to get some other guys some reps and to keep your top weapon healthy.

- Avoid the Steamroller - In other words, "don't come out flat". It wouldn't be a surprise, as Hillsdale just notched two huge wins at home against big rivals in last-minute thrillers. Jumping on a bus to Cleveland (and beyond) could certainly bring on a case of the blahs. Make no mistake, LEC can be dangerous...they darn near nipped HC at Muddy Waters a year ago.

Lake Erie Keys:
- Keep it in front of You - Despite some new personnel, Hillsdale is still Hillsdale...they run the ball, complete tons of high-percentage passes, and control the clock. Lake Erie must keep the plays in front of them, make sure tackles, and find a way to get off the field on third down. If they don't, the D will get gassed and big plays late will result. HC does this almost every week, so The Storm must be ready.

- Where's Sean? - I've been all about Sean Bedevelsky coming into the year, and after two games he's not been the threat he was a year ago. Granted, his first game was at Tech, but he really didn't do a whole lot against Saginaw Valley last week either. As he goes, so go The Storm...LEC needs its primary playmaker to get things going.

Prediction:
Hillsdale struggled against LEC last year, hold off The Storm 42-37 in a wild one. Despite the struggles LEC has had the last two weeks, I really think the Chargers need to have their guard up in this one. One has to wonder how much emotion HC will have left to be "up" for this one, especially on the road. I'll take Hillsdale simply because I haven't seen any real life out of LEC just yet, but I still contend that the Chargers should tread lightly. Hillsdale 34, Lake Erie 24.

Read the rest of Tony's take on things in Week 4.

Muskegon Chronicle: Plenty of football excitement for area gridders at Hillsdale

Tom Kendra
Muskegon Chronicle


Tuesdays with Tom ...
Another Saturday night home game, another thrilling victory for the Hillsdale College football team.
“Yeah, the last two games have been pretty crazy around here,” Tim Hornak said with a laugh. Hornak is a 6-foot-5, 270-pound starting sophomore left tackle for Hillsdale from Muskegon Catholic Central.

On Sept. 10, Hillsdale took advantage of a roughing-the-kicker penalty on the final play and made the second field-goal attempt in a 34-31 win against rival Grand Valley State.

On Saturday night, the Chargers did it again, this time pulling out a 40-34 victory in three overtimes against visiting Ashland in the second-longest game in school history.

Hornak is a BIG part of the Chargers’ success, having added 45 pounds to his 6-5 frame since leading MCC to a Division 8 state championship in 2008.

Other local players enjoying Hillsdale’s wild season are Ben Jones, a fellow Muskegon Catholic graduate who plays tight end in short-yardage situations; and Aric Geerlings, an East Kentwood graduate and Norton Shores resident who is a second-team linebacker.

Hornak and his twin brother, Jon, were recruited by Hillsdale where their uncle, Grand Haven native Pat Hornak, is the team’s tight ends coach and director of football operations.

Jon Hornak decided to focus on hoops and is a forward for the Aquinas College basketball team.
Hornak boys always have had great coordination and athletic ability for their height. Now that Tim has added plenty of “good weight,” as he calls it, he has earned the starting spot at the key left tackle position.

Left tackle is considered the most important of the five offensive line positions because that lineman must block defenders who are coming from the side of the field a right-handed quarterback can’t see — known as the blind side. The left tackle faces the top pass-rushers, which has made them a valuable commodity at all levels.

For example, the two highest-paid NFL players last year were quarterbacks. Atlanta’s Michael Vick and Seattle’s Matt Hasselbeck received $23.1 million and $19 million, respectively. The next two highest-paid players were left tackles: St. Louis’ Orlando Pace, at $18 million, and Seattles’ Walter Jones, at $17.7 million.

“It’s totally different than high school where I was run-blocking straight ahead on every play, going downhill and trying to drive my guy back,” said Hornak, 20, the son of Mike and Tina Hornak. “Now, my first step is back and I’m pass blocking on most plays.”

Rest of the story

Monday, September 19, 2011

Patrick Heckenlively Game Photo Galleries

Hillsdale sideline reporter has agreed to partner with Chargerblue.com and offers up these great photo galleries via SmugMug.

So far this year he has galleries that feature all of the individual player pictures as well as all of the action from the Grand Valley and Ashland thrillers.


Photos may be ordered online in all different sizes.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Youtube: Hillsdale Receiver Brett Miller after 3 OT TD Reception

Hillsdale.edu: Chargers outlast Eagles in second-longest game in Hillsdale College football history


Hillsdale prevails 40-34 in 3OT - Original Post
Box Score: Hillsdale 40, Ashland 34 3OT

September 17, 2011 - Just when it looked like a victory over Grand Valley State would become the 2011 season highlight, the Hillsdale College football team had to go and top itself.

The Chargers defeated South Division rival Ashland University 40-34 in three overtimes Saturday night at Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium. Hillsdale is now 2-0 in the GLIAC and 2-1 overall, and will travel to Lake Erie College next Saturday afternoon.

Where does one begin with a game like this? Naturally, with the ending. Junior QB Anthony Mifsud rolled to his right, appearing to perhaps run for the end zone, but tossed a soft pass to redshirt-freshman wide receiver Brett Miller (pictured), who was running in a news story imageparallel direction, for the game-winning score to end the third overtime.

Ashland played its second straight triple-overtime game, last week defeating the University of Indianapolis 39-36. But this game, which kept the coveted Traveling Trophy in Hillsdale's possession for another year, was anything but predictable.

Both teams came back from 10-point deficits in regulation time, and each scored touchdowns in overtime to put pressure on its opponent.

The Chargers were down 10-0 in the second quarter, then scored 20 unanswered points, including two impressive marches down the field in the third quarter, to pull ahead 20-10. The teams traded scores, with the Eagles packaging together a 20-yard field goal by Gregg Birkshire and a touchdown pass from Taylor Housewright to Anthony Capasso to knot the game 27-27 with 1:06 left in the game.

Mifsud then led Hillsdale on a dramatic seven-play, 49-yard drive that set up a potential game-winning field goal. Many in the crowd thought Colin McGreevy's 34-yard attempt was good, but the officials on the field ruled it wide, sending Hillsdale into its first home overtime game in seven years.

Both teams missed field goals on their first overtime possessions. Hillsdale then applied the pressure to the Eagles, when junior RB Joe Glendening powered his way into the end zone from seven yards out, to put the Chargers ahead 34-27.

Housewright, one of the most talented quarterbacks in the GLIAC, then sent the highlight reels spinning with his end-over-end flip into the end zone on a three-yard leap, tying the game again 34-34.

Birkshire pushed a 26-yard field goal attempt wide left, giving Hillsdale a chance to close the game out in the third extra session.

Mifsud completed back-to-back passes to Andrew Mott and Cam White to get the Chargers down to the Ashland six-yard line. After two rushing plays, Hillsdale faced a third-and-goal, and one more stop from the Eagles would have forced one more field goal attempt. But Mifsud, who was brilliant all night, kept the play alive long enough for Miller to find open real estate in the south end zone, and Miller's bread-basket catch sealed one of the most dramatic wins by the Chargers in the last several years.

Glendening played every bit like the First-Team All-Conference back he is in this game, running the ball 33 times for 101 yards and four touchdowns. Amazingly, facing a stacked Ashland defense designed to stop him, Glendening had negative yardage on just two plays in the game. He also caught a team-high seven passes for 43 yards.

Mifsud directed Hillsdale's short passing attack with precision, going 31-for-41 for a career-high 317 yards and two scores. He also ran for 54 key yards, including a 20-yard scamper in the second half.

Four Chargers caught at least five passes. Mott hauled in five for 53 yards, while senior tight end Bren Bergquist caught five passes for 44 yards and a touchdown. Redshirt-freshman Evan Sassack caught a trick-play pass from QB Sam Landry, and finished with three receptions for 68 yards.

Defensively, sophomore linebacker Steven Embry set a new career-high with 16 tackles to lead Hillsdale. Joe Vear and Brett Pasche each had 11.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Call the new Chargerblue.com Feedback line at (512) The-Dale

Chargerblue.com now has its own voice mail and feedback line.

Give (512) The-Dale a call some time to give your take on Hillsdale College Football or this site.

Your call might even end on a podcast or online. Just another way for Charger fans to get more out of the site and share their passion for Hillsdale College Football.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Tony Nicolette's weekly look around the GLIAC

Check out Tony Nicolette's weekly column and blog over at D2football.com.

He's got all you need to know about Hillsdale - Ashland and the rest of the GLIAC action.

Podcast Relaunched

After not knowing how much people were actually paying attention to the podcast, I put the show on hiatus for a couple of weeks to see if anyone noticed. I was pleasantly surprised with the emails from listeners who asked to have it back. So, here it is and in a new home. Charger running back Joe Glendening stops by for our first episode of the newly re-named Chargerblue.com Podcast. Coastal Carolina Coach David Bennett opens up with a little motivation back by the girls from TLC. Listen at the new home for the Chargerblue.com Podcast.

C'mon Chargers. Gotta be a dog....not a cat

Coastal Carolina head coach David Bennett offers up this motivational gem.


Wednesday, September 14, 2011

New crop of Hillsdale receivers are Smurftastic

Hillsdale football play by play announcer Andy Brown called the opening game at Ferris State "Meet your new Charger Receivers Night". Saturday night was a continuation of that event as quarterbacks Anthony Mifsud and Matt Bryan spread the ball all over the field in the 34-31 win over Grand Valley State.

The new crop is young and well....not real big.

At 6-3 and a senior, Jesse Norris is the elder statesman  towering over the bunch of youngsters that round out the crew. Lou Cangelosi is 5-9 175 and fellow sophomore Andrew Mott isn't much bigger at 6-0 185. Mott was huge though late in Saturday's game with an 85 yard reception when Mifsud caught GVSU loading up on the run and he beat his man 1-on-1 for the long TD.

Redshirt freshmen Brett Miller comes in at 5-11 175 and fellow RSF Evan Bach is the same height but a little heavier at 185. Bach has shown an ability to run the ball and nearly housed an end-around on Saturday.

Together this pint-sized bunch has caught 16 balls for 232 yards, a 14.5 yards per catch average.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Free full replay of Hillsdale vs. GVSU now online

Thanks to Hillsdale College for posting this weekend's game vs. GVSU.

The YouTube video cuts out after 1 hour and 25 minutes. I was able to create this page with all parts.

Enjoy.

Hillsdale vs. GVSU full game video

Sunday, September 11, 2011

WZZM13: Hillsdale Upsets #4 Grand Valley

Here is the piece Dan Harland and WZZM13 from Grand Rapids ran on Hillsdale's win over GVSU.

Youtube: Hillsdale Beats Grand Valley

Thanks to YouTube user YourNiedfelter for posting these clips of the end of Hillsdale's 34-31 win over Grand Valley. Great shots of President Larry Arnn enjoying it in the the President's box.


Second Part:

No name defense no more. Huge effort fuels win over Grand Valley

Last season I referred to the Hillsdale defense at times as the "No Name Defense". I used the name with all due respect to reflect a unit that simply showed up and did its job. The "bend don't break" style was manned by a bunch of interchangeable parts that kept the high profile offense of Hillsdale College in the game while not getting much glamor.

Tonight, the Hillsdale College defense made a name for itself. Senior Nick Hixson sealed the game with an interception on the final play of the game but he led a unit that limited the 4th ranked team in the nation to just 9 completions. 9. Now those 9 completions did end up tallying 194 yard with 71 coming on one play. Nonetheless, the Hixson, Joe Vear, and Ben Karaba secondary played a big role in limiting what Grand Valley's Heath Parling could do with the ball.

Last year in the "No Name" nobody really stepped up and established himself as the top linebacker. Hillsdale rotated all kinds of guys into that position. Kyle Carson, Brett Pasche, Devin Moynihan, and Jake Weddle did a pretty good job in that role but there just were "wow" moments from the linebacking corps. Tonight that changed.

If you follow my Chargerblue Twitter stream or my in-game Facebook updates, you saw me state that Brett Pasche was having a great game tonight. That generalization was really an understatement. The Findlay, OH sophomore was a wrecking crew in the middle tonight.

Already leading 14-7, Hillsdale pinned Grand Valley back to its own 14. Two plays later Pasche would intercept Parling to set up a Joe Glendening 24 yard touchdown reception off of a screen.

Pasche would come up big in the run game as well. Laker coach Matt Mitchell loves to talk about how they work with "space and speed". That was pretty apparent tonight and just as it looked like a number of Grand Valley backs might find some extended running room, Pasche would close the gap and make a text book open field tackle.

Moynihan would lead the team with 8 tackles as he did his part on his side of the linebacking crew.

Up front Ridge Riebold was able to record a couple of quarterback hurries on Parling and when it mattered most at the end, Hillsdale got a pass rush from its defensive line that hasn't been seen since guys like Drew Berube and Mark Yassay were bringing the heat.

Yes, Hillsdale got some heroic efforts from its offense...like the 85 yard Mifsud to Mott touchdown and Colin McGreevy's game winning field goal but it was the Charger defense that was able to handle one of the most talented programs in the country and set up those scores.

Tonight was a water-shed night for the Hillsdale College Football Charger Defense.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Hillsdale College Sports Information: Hillsdale 34 - Grand Valley 31


Hillsdale College Release - September 10, 2011

Colin McGreevy's field goal wins game for Hillsdale

Stats: Hillsdale 34, Grand Valley 31

September 10, 2011 - It was so much fun for the Hillsdale College student body to rush the field after the Chargers beat Grand Valley State on Oct. 9, 2009, they decided to do it again.

Colin McGreevy's 30-yard field goal with nine seconds left propelled the Chargers to an incredible 34-31 win over fourth-ranked Grand Valley State Saturday night at Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium. Hillsdale is 1-1 overall and 1-0 in the GLIAC, while the Lakers fall to 1-1.

McGreevy converted on his second attempt, thanks to a running-into-the-kicker penalty called on the Lakers on his first attempt, which came on second down on Hillsdale's final drive. His first kick was deflected at the line of scrimmage, which appered to set up overtime. But McGreevy was tackled after the follow-through attempt, triggering the flag and one more attempt.

This game marked the second time in three years the Chargers have beaten the Lakers at home. GVSU came into the game ranked fourth in the country. Hillsdale was ranked 25th in the AFCA Division II preseason poll, but dropped out after last week's loss at Ferris State.

This game can be filed as another in a long string of classics between these conference powerhouses. The teams traded the lead back and forth in the first half, which ended with the Chargers on top, 21-14.

The Lakers upped their defensive intensity in the third quarter, while scoring 14 points of their own to enter the fourth quarter with a 28-21 lead.

McGreevy opened the fourth quarter with a 30-yard field goal, which cut the lead to four. After the Chargers stopped the Lakers, junior QB Anthony Mifsud, who missed some time in the second half, returned to the field in a most dramatic fashion.

His first pass of the fourth quarter was an 85-yard strike to wide receiver Andrew Mott, who showed impressive speed in outrunning the Laker secondary to suddenly put Hillsdale on top 31-28.

GLIAC Updates: Saturday Sept. 10

In earlier action today around the GLIAC:

Ohio Dominican 44
Northwood 30

Wayne State 55
Tiffin 0

Northern Michigan 30
Findlay 23 OT

Michigan Tech 41
Lake Erie 10

Under the Lights:

Grand Valley at Hillsdale
Indianapolis at Ashland
Ferris State at Saginaw Valley

MLIve.com: Grand Valley State, Norman Shuford have respect for GLIAC rival Hillsdale


Grand Valley State, Norman Shuford have respect for GLIAC rival Hillsdale

norman-shuford-07.jpg
Grand Valley State's Norman Shuford works for extra yards against Western Oregon in the Lakers' season opener.

ALLENDALE -- Grand Valley State junior running back Norman Shuford jokes that he has a rivalry with Hillsdale College junior running back Joe Glendening that dates to their high school days.

There’s a good chance Shuford might be confusing Joe with his older brother Luke -- the Glendenings and East Grand Rapids defeated Shuford and Farmington Hills Harrison 42-17 in the 2006 Division 3 state title game. Either way, Shuford knows how much damage the Hillsdale running game can cause.

Glendening rushed for a career-high 224 yards and three touchdowns against Grand Valley State last season, a game the Lakers won 44-41, but only after wide receiver Jovonne Augustus caught an 8-yard touchdown pass with 16 seconds remaining.

In his first season as a starter, Glendening led the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with 1,485 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. He also was an honorable mention All-American.

"I think he’s a strong back who runs north and south, doesn’t try to do too many cuts and just gets the job done -- and he does great," Shuford said. "I think Hillsdale is a great program with great coaches but, having said that, when it’s all said and done we still want to get a W.

"At the end of the day, I still want our defense to handle their business against Mr. Glendening."

Glendening will be an even bigger focal point for opposing defenses now that all-conference quarterback Troy Weatherhead and receivers Andre Holmes and Mike Blanchard have graduated.

"Are we harping on it? Is it something we’re spending every day working on?" Grand Valley State coach Matt Mitchell said. "Yeah, because we know that (Glendening) is now ... hands-down the best player on their offense.

Rest of article

Friday, September 09, 2011

To podcast or not to podcast...you tell me

For the last several seasons I have produced a weekly podcast dubbed "The Charger Comment".

I have featured interviews with Charger players, Charger coaches, even media member like Sean Baligian from the Sean, Terp, and Killer show who calls Wayne State games.

This year as I have increased some initiatives at school in my real job as an elementary technology teacher, I decided to put the podcast on the back burner. To be honest, it was a bit of an experiment.

Each week I wondered how many people were actually listening because I never got much feedback either way, positively or negatively. I wondered if anyone would even miss the episodes.

Today I received a tweet from former Charger QB Troy Weatherhead asking where the podcast was. I gave him the same explanation and he had some really complimentary things to say about enjoying it.

So, I guess some of you guys were listening and I am starting to think maybe I need to fire this thing up again. Let's do this though. I need to hear from the Charger faithful. What do you want to hear? Who do you want to hear? Give me some ideas for some new features....and oh by the way, if you would like to sponsor the podcast and get exclusive naming rights we can make that happen as well.

Go to the Facebook page and tell me what you think. Facebook.com/chargerbluedotcom

D2football.com's Tony Nicolette previews GLIAC action

#3 Grand Valley (1-0) at Hillsdale (0-1)

Over the past few seasons, the team that has been the most consistent in giving Grand Valley fits has been Hillsdale. Those who were there will likely never forget the miraculous finish of last year's game, and the last time the Lakers paid a visit to Muddy Waters Stadium they were sent home with a loss. The Chargers have some questions to answer after last week's loss at Ferris, but can get things back on track in a big way by saddling Grand Valley with an early blemish.

Grand Valley Keys:
- Keep the Balance - Hillsdale had a hard time stopping the Ferris ground game a week ago. GV definitely has the personnel to take advantage of this, but also has a much stronger passing attack than the Bulldogs. Taking what the Chargers give will of course be the Laker game plan, but they should see many more options available if they are hitting Hillsdale via the air as well.

- Say no to Joe - Hillsdale got 224 yards on the ground and another 25 receiving from Joe Glendening in last year's game. The Lakers know that he's going to get his typical 32-38 touches in this one, and they need to keep his average gain as low as possible. Not letting him get going on the ground is imperative, but keeping him in check via the air (especially if GV has a lead) can't be forgotten.

Hillsdale Keys:
- Secondary must play well - Yes, if the run is there GV will take it. With that said, the Lakers passing attack did most of what it wanted last week so the Chargers can't simply fix their run stop and expect that to be enough. Getting some help from the front with pressure on Heath Parling will be important to slowing down GV's passing game as well.

- Dictate tempo - This is something that Hillsdale loves to do. They led the GLIAC in time of possession a year ago, and had a major advantage again last week. Turnovers on the plus-side of the field were part of their undoing, so if they can keep the Laker offense on the sidelines for extended periods of time (and avoid not cashing in on drives) they'll be giving themselves a better shot at knocking GV off for the second time in three years.

Prediction:
Much of the talk around Hillsdale's prospects for this year have revolved around the graduation of Troy Weatherhead and Andre Holmes. While their being gone is certainly significant, I really think the losses Hillsdale felt the most in Week One were on the offensive line. Three fifth-year seniors departed, and the play of the line was not the same as it was last year. This could be a problem on Saturday, as Grand Valley's maligned defensive front from 2010 has several key cogs back, and was very active against Western Oregon. If Grand Valley is able to win in the trenches with their defense, I think it's tough to see Hillsdale avoiding the 0-2 hole. Grand Valley 30, Hillsdale 21.

Rest of Tony's article

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Eat right, get lots of rest, and drink lots of water

During halftime of the Hillsdale - Ferris State football game last Friday night I had the pleasure of joining Andy Brown on the WCSR telecast.

The Chargers were up 17-10 and brand new quarterback Anthony Mifsud was rolling. He had completed 13 of 15 passes for 205 yards and the offense was in a rhythm we had seen many times during the last two seasons that culminated in playoff appearances. Project those numbers out for another half and you have a Mark Nicolet or Troy Weatherhead type night for a kid who hadn't before taken a college snap at QB.

Hillsdale took the 2nd half kickoff right down the field and turned it into 3 more points.

Then, the elements took over and Mifsud found himself suffering from dehydration. Having played high school football in Arizona where triple digit September practices were common place I know the effects that dehydration can have on the body. Probably my scariest moment as an athlete came one August when I became severely dehydrated during a two-a-day practice. My dad still tells me, "You have no idea how close you were to taking a ride in the meat wagon to the ER."

It can be scary stuff. It can also change a football game. Matt Bryan gave running the Charger offense his best shot but Hillsdale just wasn't in sync like they were under Mifsud, ending back to back drives in turnovers that turned the game around for Ferris.

Hillsdale will need that same type of first half performance they got from Mifsud and more this weekend against #3 Grand Valley State. No better opponent to do it against.

Eat right. Get lots of rest. Drink enough water. Beat Grand Valley.

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Reinvigorated Gridiron Club kicks off Saturday

All Charger fans planning on attending Hillsdale College's football home opener this Saturday night in Hillsdale should make a point to stop by the Gridiron Club's tent in the tailgating area.

Lennie Stover, Rick Barker, and Tom Kanka (amongst others) will be on hand with refreshments and information on how you can join this dynamic group that supports Hillsdale College Football.

You can become a member for as little as $50 a year. All are free to stop by the tent though to talk to the guys or pick up information.


Monday, September 05, 2011

Hillsdale's Holmes joins Cowboys Practice Squad

Former Hillsdale College wide receiver Andre Holmes may have had his shot at pro football with the Minnesota Vikings cut in training camp, but another team the Dallas Cowboys see enough potential in the 6'6" receiver that they have signed him to their practice squad for the 2011-2012 season.

Practice squads consist of 8 players who receive $5700 a week but are not part of the 53 man roster. Practice players may be cut at any time but they may also be called up by their respective teams or picked up and signed by another team at any time. If Holmes were to be signed by another team he would automatically count on that team's 53 man roster and be paid at rookie minimum for a minimum of 3 weeks.

Friday, September 02, 2011

Chargers come up short in debut at Ferris State.

Every new College Football season is an adventure and for the #18 Hillsdale Chargers, Friday night's 20-17 loss at Ferris State was an adventure, and an ugly one at that.

The Bulldogs took a 7-0 lead when quarterback Tom Schneider capped the opening drive with a 2 yard touchdown run.

Hillsdale began to find its rhythm in the second quarter with a 1 yard plunge from Cam White. The Colin McGreevy extra point was good and things would remain 14-14 until 1:56 of the first half when Joe Glendening took an option pitch from quarterback Anthony Mifsud.

Mifsud looked like he was a seasoned veteran on that scoring drive, converting two big 3rd down conversions to Cam White.

The momentum continued after the half as Hillsdale drove deep into Ferris territory and came away with a McGreevy fieldgoal from 20 yards out.

That would be it from Mifsud though as he missed most of the 2nd half with a hamstring injury.

Ferris stayed in the game and its running game would be the difference. Bulldog back Skylar Stoker would get two more scores tearing up a Hillsdale defense that yielded 286 yards on the ground.


Glendening would finish with 153 yards on 29 carries. Mifsud would finish 15/20 for 144 yards. Matt Bryan played most of the second half and would go 5 of 10 for 22 yards and a pick.

We all knew it would a re-building year in Hillsdale, but most would have picked the Chargers over Ferris tonight.

Hillsdale hosts GVSU next Saturday night at 7:00.








Thursday, September 01, 2011

D2football.com's Tony Nicolette breaks down GLIAC opening week action

A few subtle changes have taken place this summer at D2football.com, but a big one is that the traditional posting of conference columnists' work has moved to a blogging format. Instead of the once a week big post that would be replaced with the coming week's work, columnists...now bloggers...can post throughout the week and interact with readers in the comments area.

While how the new format ends up working is to be seen, one thing we know for sure is that GLIAC football season is here and so is Tony Nicolette to talk about it. Here is how he sees Hillsdale's opener with Ferris State going.

#18 Hillsdale at Ferris State

While it is true that Hillsdale is coming off of back-to-back playoff appearances, there are still some concerns heading into 2011 for the Chargers. The concerns probably aren't about the defense, as key cogs Joe Vear, Nick Hixson and David Bakker all return. They almost certainly aren't about the ground game, as 1,400+ yard rusher Joe Glendening is back along with his 15 touchdowns from last season. It's the passing game that his squarely under the gun as the new season gets going. Gone are quarterback Troy Weatherhead and top receiver Andre Holmes, and they will be replaced by junior quarterback Anthony Mifsud and a pair of new starting wide-outs that have yet to catch a pass in college. Making things more interesting is that while Mifsud was a top-level quarterback in high school, he has spent his first two seasons at Hillsdale as a receiver. Despite not being under center prior to this year, it's safe to presume that he entered camp with at least a solid understanding of the Charger offense, so it's not as though HC is staring from scratch. Plus, let's not forget the last time Hillsdale was in a similar situation...it was three short years ago that Mark Nicolet and Nick Gurica graduated and I think we all know how the Hillsdale aerial attack faired from there.

While there is inexperience within Hillsdale's offense, the bulk of the Ferris unit is rather tenured. Senior quarterback Tom Schneider returns after having started every game for the Bulldogs last year, and he also has his top rushers and receivers from 2010 at his disposal. What FSU will have to figure out his how to put behind them last year's five game losing skid that ended the season and seemed to erase the positives of their 5-1 start. The 16 starters that are back in Big Rapids would like nothing more than to knock off a Hillsdale bunch that has claimed five of the last six meetings in the series.

While I think it's unreasonable to presume that Mifsud can step in and do all the things that his Charger predecessors did, I also believe that he doesn't have to win this first game for Hillsdale. The Bulldogs gave up nearly 170 yards a game on the ground last year, and lost their top two tacklers from their 2010 defense. Glendening should be able to put up a solid effort at Top Taggart and keep the pressure of his new signal-caller. Plus, I'm not sure why but I get the feeling that Coach Otterbein will have his troops ready when they hit his old stomping grounds. I absolutely think Ferris can win this game, but am not convinced that they will. I expect a tight affair either way. Hillsdale 27, Ferris 24.
You can read the rest of Tony's post on the Friday/Saturday games here  as well as Tony's preview of Thursday night's action.

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