HTRS Titans bedeviled by Clarkson

HTRS Titans bedeviled by Clarkson

    HUMBOLDT- Clarkson bedeviled the Humboldt Table Rock Steinauer Titans Monday in the quarterfinals of the Class D1 State football playoffs at Humboldt.
    HTRS lost to Clarkson's Red Devil, 46-0.
    With its win, Clarkson advances to take on Humphrey St. Francis in the D1 semifinals on Saturday.
    St. Francis advanced with a 51-8 quarterfinal victory over Nebraska City Lourdes.
    HTRS finishes its season at 10-1.
    The Titans offense was tormented and harassed by the Red Devil defense, while the Clarkson offense seemed possessed each time it had the ball.
    That combination proved be the spoiler for HTRS' perfect season.
    But HTRS isn't the only playoff foe to fall victim to the combination.
    So far in the first three rounds of the D1 playoffs, Clarkson has outscored its opponents 148-6.
    Adams Freeman, in the first round of state, is the only team to score on the Red Devils during postseason play.
    Knowing Clarkson's track record heading into the game, HTRS coach Lin Volker said the game's final outcome wasn't "unexpected."
    "We knew what we were in for before the game ever kicked off," Volker said.  "We just hoped they'd give us a little help here and there."
    Clarkson did put the ball on the ground several times in the game, but lost just two of six fumbles.
    "It seemed like everything was bouncing their way," Volker said.
   The Red Devils, however, overcame any miscues with their size, strength and overall speed, Volker said.
    "They really get off the ball," Volker said of Clarkson.  "They're big, strong kids."
    Offensively, Volker said the Titans couldn't get anything going in the first half.
    "In the second half, we made some plays, but we couldn't put anything together," Volker said.
    While Clarkson shut HTRS down defensively, Volker said the Titans kept trying to make things happen.
    "I was pleased with our effort," Volker said.  "When you come this far in the playoffs, you don't want to get beat by somebody you're better than.
    "We got beat by a better team."
    Clarkson opened the game's scoring with 6:08 left in the first quarter as Brando Dinslage carried the ball into the end zone from 23 yards out.  Mike Konicek ran in the two-point conversion to put the Red Devils up 8-0.
    In the second quarter, Clarkson scored a pair of touchdowns.
    Red Devils quarterback Eric Brabec scored first on a six-yard run.  Konicek ran in the conversion for a 16-0 lead with 10:25 left in the second period.
    Brabec scored again with 1:37 left in the quarter on a four-yard run.  Konicek added the two-point conversion for a 24-0 Red Devil lead.
    In the third quarter, Clarkson nearly doubled its score.
    Brabec found the end zone on an 11-yard run to open the quarter's scoring with 8:10 left in the period and added the two-point conversion on a ru for a 32-0 Red Devil lead.
    The senior quarterback scored again with 5:27 left in the third period, carrying the ball in from four yards out.  The conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 38-0 Clarkson.
    The final touchdown of the game came with 3:01 left in the third quarter as Brabec found Corbin Hamernik on a 17-yard scoring pass.  Konicek ran in the conversion for a 46-0 Red Devil lead.
    HTRS finished with 164 yards of total offense in the game, 60 rushing and 104 passing.
    Aric Schnacker was the leading rusher for the Titans with 40 yards on 11 carries.
    Logan Hanzlicek was 12-for-20 passin for 104 yards.
    Schnacker was also the leading receiver for HTRS with four catches for 39 yards.
    Defensively, The Titans were led by Skiler Ramsey with 17 tackles, including one sack for a three-yard loss.
    Ramsey and Greg Huppert each had a fumble recovery.
    Also finishing in double digits in tackles was Dustin Smith with 11.
    Next season, the Titans will be moving back to 11-man football and playing in Class C2.
    Volker said he's encouraged by the number of players HTRS will have back and the experience they gained this season.
    "We're losing some good seniors, but we've got lots of talent coming back," Volker said.

Mark Vrbicky sprints past the Titan return team.

Clarkson   8   16   22   0   -   46
HTRS        0      0     0   0   -     0

HTRS vs. Clarkson

First Downs:  HTRS eight.  Clarkson 19
Penalties:  HTRS 2-20 yards.  Clarkson 5-50 yards.
Fumbles:  HTRS 1-1.  Clarkson 7-2.
Rushing:  HTRS (Dustin Smith 4-3 yards, Aric Schnacker 11-40, Logan Hanzlicek 12-15, Tanner Sharpe 1-2).
Passing:  HTRS (Hanzlicek 12-20 104 yards).
Receiving:  HTRS (Sharpe 4-31, Cody Tasler 1-9, Smith 2-13, Schnacker 4-39, Schuyler Allen        1-12).
Tackles:  HTRS (Skiler Ramsey 17, Smith 11, Greg Huppert eight, Hanzlicek five, Jared Freeman   five, Sharpe five, Branch Tomek five, J.D. Bursovsky four, Allen three, Schnacker two, Bill Vogt two, Tasler one, Jake Fink one).
Fumble recoveries:  HTRS (Skiler Ramsey one, Huppert one).


(from Beatrice Daily Sun, 11/6/07)