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The
Arcanum defense was the star of the night at Ansonia Friday. A
swarming Trojan
defense brings down Ansonia senior Dusty Holcomb as
Arcanum upset the Tigers on
homecoming night, 15-12. CNO Photos (see below) by Danny Stockton
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Arcanum upends Ansonia
Defense the key for the Trojans
By George Starks, Sports Editor
ANSONIA - It was a night Arcanum football coach Jason Stephan will not
soon forget.
In his short four years at Arcanum, Stephan has never been able to beat
Ansonia and coach Eugene Hoening. Then again, how many have?
In a game that many thought would produce a lot of offense, it was the
defense that shined for both teams... the difference being the Trojans
defense shined a little brighter as Arcanum knocked off Ansonia 15-12
in a major Cross County Conference clash.
“I really can’t say enough about the defense tonight,” said Stephan.
“The guys came in here ready to play.”
When it was time to turn it on, the Trojans defense did exactly that.
After Arcanum scored on a one yard plunge by Dallas Johnson to start
the second quarter, Ansonia took the ball at its own 43 yard line.
The Tigers were marching and had scored, but a holding call negated the
six points, backing the Tigers up. The Trojan defense held when Ansonia
went for the score from the six on fourth down.
“That goal-line stand set the tone for us,” Stephan said. “It got the
kids fired up at that point and I knew it was going to be a battle for
both sides.”
It was one defensive stand after another until the Tigers were able to
get on the board with 45 seconds remaining in the half when 6-4, 240
pound senior Dusty Holcomb got in from a yard out.
After a three and out to start the second half by Ansonia, the Trojan
offense went to work. A time consuming drive that ended at the 2:19
mark of the third, was capped off by a 23 yard field goal from Dustin
Shiverdecker, giving the Trojans a slim 9-6 advantage.
The score would stay there until the 4:13 mark of the fourth frame.
Arcanum would pull some trickery at that point.
After Johnson took the snap from center, he pitched the ball to Devon
Gilbert. Gilbert hit Shiverdecker for a 17 yard pass and the score,
putting the Trojans up by a 15-6 count.
Ansonia would answer just over a minute later on a touchdown from Jacob
Earick, closing the gap to 15-12. With 3:08 remaining in the game, it
was the Trojans game to lose.
Once again, the Arcanum defense stood its ground as Ansonia would have
one last gasp with time running out.
“Overall ours kids just came out, and they made big plays when they
needed to,” Stephan said. “They got the job done. I just can’t say how
proud I am of them.”
Arcanum, now 3-3 overall, will be at Bradford next week while Ansonia
(4-2) will travel to Mississinawa Valley.
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Ansonia
Homecoming King for 2011 is Zack Brown and Queen Emily Schlarman.
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