Junior Nick Gurica turned heads last season as primarily a punt returner. This year he made people around the GLIAC take notice by leading the conference in total receptions with 57. Gurica's 2006 performance has earned him a spot on the GLIAC first-team offense that was announced Monday evening.
Also earning first team all league honors are team MVP, sophomore linebacker Tom Korte and junior defensive back Jared Kell. both players led the GLIAC in tackles and interceptions respectively. Korte led the Chargers in tackles all 11 games while Kell had the amazing 2 interception, 2 fumble recovery game against Indianapolis.
Earning 2nd team honors are senior RB and Hillsdale's #2 all-time rusher Phil Martin, soph. OL Josiah Swartz, and soph. DL Eric Weber.
Chargers named as honorable mention include: Steve Balone (Sr./LB), Andy Dion (Sr./DL), Greg Dixon (Sr./HB), Mark Nicolet (Jr./QB), Mike Pavelich (Sr./TE), and Mark Scott (Sr./LB).
Congratulations to these Chargers.
Full Release from GLIAC.org
Tradition • Character • Service
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Monday, November 13, 2006
Korte named MVP, other award winners named
The Hillsdale College football program announced the winners of its season awards at the annual banquet yesterday.
Roy Beck Most Valuable Player: Soph. LB Tom Korte (led GLIAC in total tackles with 134, led team in tackles all 11 games)
Offensive Freshman of the Year: Jared Veldheer
Defensive Freshman of the Year: Jared Knudsen
Leonard Urbonick Award for Scholarship, Leadership and Ability: Jr. WR Nick Gurica (led GLIAC with 57 receptions)
Every Player Every Play Award: Sr. TE Mike Pavelich, Sr. DL Andy Dion, Sr. MLB Steve Balone
One Play Warrior Award: Soph. DB Alex Wojcik
Outstanding Offensive Back: Jr. QB Mark Nicolet
Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Soph. Josiah Swartz
Joe Vijuk Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Soph. Eric Weber
Ralph Miller III Outstanding Linebacker: Tom Korte
Outstanding Defensive Back: Soph. DB Palmer Schoening
Howard Champ Messenger Award: Sr. RB Brett Neller
Captains Award: Sr. RB Phil Martin, Sr. LB Steve Balone, Mark Nicolet
Roy Beck Most Valuable Player: Soph. LB Tom Korte (led GLIAC in total tackles with 134, led team in tackles all 11 games)
Offensive Freshman of the Year: Jared Veldheer
Defensive Freshman of the Year: Jared Knudsen
Leonard Urbonick Award for Scholarship, Leadership and Ability: Jr. WR Nick Gurica (led GLIAC with 57 receptions)
Every Player Every Play Award: Sr. TE Mike Pavelich, Sr. DL Andy Dion, Sr. MLB Steve Balone
One Play Warrior Award: Soph. DB Alex Wojcik
Outstanding Offensive Back: Jr. QB Mark Nicolet
Outstanding Offensive Lineman: Soph. Josiah Swartz
Joe Vijuk Outstanding Defensive Lineman: Soph. Eric Weber
Ralph Miller III Outstanding Linebacker: Tom Korte
Outstanding Defensive Back: Soph. DB Palmer Schoening
Howard Champ Messenger Award: Sr. RB Brett Neller
Captains Award: Sr. RB Phil Martin, Sr. LB Steve Balone, Mark Nicolet
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Chargers Hand Out Post-Season Awards
Special to Chargerblue.com
by Andy Brown
WCSR play-by-play
Another postseason banquet with much of what we have come to expect. Prime rib in the buffet line and plenty of interesting speeches by the senior players. I have always wished that they would have the senior speeches before the season. It would be nice to know these guys a little bit before watching them play. That would give us some context when broadcasting the games. The blurbs in the media guide are nice, but the insight we gain at these banquets is really special. Again, almost all of the players began to cry when thanking their families and teammates. The highlight of the speeches probably came when Coach Otterbein tried to cut off his son Steve whose speech was easily the longest of the afternoon.
It was interesting to hear about the trials and tribulations of guys like Steve Balone and Andy Dion. Andy Dion claimed that the training staff had to increase their budget to afford tape to keep him playing. Balone's speech about watching the last two games from the sidelines was particularly touching. He said that whenever Tom Korte made a big play, he came off the sidelines and told Steve he was doing it for him. I felt particulary bad for Aaron Scholl. That young man is a class act all of the way--and I wish he could have stayed healty this year. It would have been great to see him on the bussiness end of some Mark Nicolet passes.
I guess if there was a surprise, it was that Phil Martin was shut out of the postseason awards. The most valuable offensive back award went to Mark Nicolet, and the team MVP award was given to sophomore linebacker Tom Korte. Martin leaves Hillsdale as the second leading rusher in school history, but doesn't win an award? That was a surprise to me---but I totally agree. The team MVP award was voted by the players, and who can argue with their choice? Tom Korte was more than just the best player on this team, he was the emotional leader. It is perhaps a bit more surprising that Nicolet beat out Martin for outstanding offensive back. However, the way that Nicolet ran this offense, especially in the second half of the season, put him over the top. Martin will absolutely be missed, and his place in the record books is secure, but good quarterbacks are worth their weight in gold.
Looking back on the year one cannot surpress at least a slight feeling of disapointment. With the schedule the Chargers had this year, a winning season was not too much to expect, and 8-3 was not out of the question. Barry Fagan told me before the banquet he could not believe that they didn't finish at least 8-3, and would not have been surprised at an even better record. Coach Otterbein said that they were just a half dozen plays away from 8 or 9 victories and possibly a postseason birth. Unfortunately, after three seasons of 4-7, the Chargers were only able to muster their second consecutive year at 5-6. Perhaps with Korte and Nicolet coming back, along with the entire offensive line, and a similarly favorable schedule next year, we will finally experience that elusive winning season. I can tell you this much, the coaches and players have already begun working toward that end. Playoffs next year? In the words of Barry Fagan, we are this close to a breakout year--and next year is as good as any other.
by Andy Brown
WCSR play-by-play
Another postseason banquet with much of what we have come to expect. Prime rib in the buffet line and plenty of interesting speeches by the senior players. I have always wished that they would have the senior speeches before the season. It would be nice to know these guys a little bit before watching them play. That would give us some context when broadcasting the games. The blurbs in the media guide are nice, but the insight we gain at these banquets is really special. Again, almost all of the players began to cry when thanking their families and teammates. The highlight of the speeches probably came when Coach Otterbein tried to cut off his son Steve whose speech was easily the longest of the afternoon.
It was interesting to hear about the trials and tribulations of guys like Steve Balone and Andy Dion. Andy Dion claimed that the training staff had to increase their budget to afford tape to keep him playing. Balone's speech about watching the last two games from the sidelines was particularly touching. He said that whenever Tom Korte made a big play, he came off the sidelines and told Steve he was doing it for him. I felt particulary bad for Aaron Scholl. That young man is a class act all of the way--and I wish he could have stayed healty this year. It would have been great to see him on the bussiness end of some Mark Nicolet passes.
I guess if there was a surprise, it was that Phil Martin was shut out of the postseason awards. The most valuable offensive back award went to Mark Nicolet, and the team MVP award was given to sophomore linebacker Tom Korte. Martin leaves Hillsdale as the second leading rusher in school history, but doesn't win an award? That was a surprise to me---but I totally agree. The team MVP award was voted by the players, and who can argue with their choice? Tom Korte was more than just the best player on this team, he was the emotional leader. It is perhaps a bit more surprising that Nicolet beat out Martin for outstanding offensive back. However, the way that Nicolet ran this offense, especially in the second half of the season, put him over the top. Martin will absolutely be missed, and his place in the record books is secure, but good quarterbacks are worth their weight in gold.
Looking back on the year one cannot surpress at least a slight feeling of disapointment. With the schedule the Chargers had this year, a winning season was not too much to expect, and 8-3 was not out of the question. Barry Fagan told me before the banquet he could not believe that they didn't finish at least 8-3, and would not have been surprised at an even better record. Coach Otterbein said that they were just a half dozen plays away from 8 or 9 victories and possibly a postseason birth. Unfortunately, after three seasons of 4-7, the Chargers were only able to muster their second consecutive year at 5-6. Perhaps with Korte and Nicolet coming back, along with the entire offensive line, and a similarly favorable schedule next year, we will finally experience that elusive winning season. I can tell you this much, the coaches and players have already begun working toward that end. Playoffs next year? In the words of Barry Fagan, we are this close to a breakout year--and next year is as good as any other.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Bummer!
After leading Saginaw Valley by a 22-21 score in the 3rd quarter, the Cardinals rolled off 25 straihgt points to secure the victory.
Hillsdale falls 46 to 30 and ends up 5 and 6 on the season for the 2nd straight year.
Congratulations to all seniors for all they put into their Charger careers.
Phil Martin had 81 yards giving him 1014 for the season. Brett Neller scored twice in his final game.
More details will be posted on the main page when stats become available.
Hillsdale falls 46 to 30 and ends up 5 and 6 on the season for the 2nd straight year.
Congratulations to all seniors for all they put into their Charger careers.
Phil Martin had 81 yards giving him 1014 for the season. Brett Neller scored twice in his final game.
More details will be posted on the main page when stats become available.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Ouch!
Findlay had to resort to all tactics to slow Phil Martin down last Saturday. It didn't work much.
Ouch!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Chargers Beat Findlay
Hillsdale evens its record to 5-5 with a GLIAC victory over visiting Findlay.
Phil Martin scored Hillsdale's only touchdown in the 2nd quarter to put Hillsdale up 6-0. Mark Petro added the extra point.
Petro would end the first half by knocking through a fieldgoal to make it 10-0.
Findlay would score on their first possession of the second half, but the Charger defense preserved the win when Tom Korte picked off a pass inside 2 minutes that would have put the Oilers on top.
Steve Otterbein repeated the task with 16 seconds left to seal the victory.
Phil Martin scored Hillsdale's only touchdown in the 2nd quarter to put Hillsdale up 6-0. Mark Petro added the extra point.
Petro would end the first half by knocking through a fieldgoal to make it 10-0.
Findlay would score on their first possession of the second half, but the Charger defense preserved the win when Tom Korte picked off a pass inside 2 minutes that would have put the Oilers on top.
Steve Otterbein repeated the task with 16 seconds left to seal the victory.
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