Part II: The Generals
Come Home
by Micah Fleet, ‘15
I
started off my last entry by telling everyone that the culture is changing at
W&L, but I did not expect to see results this fast. Unless you live under a
rock, you have heard that the Generals beat #23 ranked Centre College 34-16
this past Saturday night at Wilson Field. There was a lot for the team to get
excited about: there was the home opener, playing under the lights, and the
brand new uniforms we were sporting, but the biggest development waited until
after halftime. Ask any Generals player the most frustrating thing about
football and more than likely their answer will be that the fans leave after
halftime. With the Generals leading 21-10 at the break, we returned to the
gridiron to see students crowding the fence cheering us on.
It
was a sound decision for the students to ride the game out; we 2012 Generals
had not shown the ability to close just yet. A physical rushing attack put up
more yards and points against a tough Franklin & Marshall team than W&L
had in a long time, but failed to garner a win. Defensive Coordinator Brendan
O’Brien’s defense was the story at Sewanee, holding their potent option attack
to only six points while Head Coach Scott Abell’s offense rallied with 14
points in the 4th quarter to win 28-6. The Generals were going into week three
having not played its best football.
Fast
forward to the third quarter against Centre, 21-10 was not good enough. Two
quarters was not good enough; every player on that team did not just want a
win, we wanted to bury our opponent. Coach Abell had preached all week that a
four quarter effort was what the team needed to win. No longer would the smart
kids at that liberal arts college not be taken seriously; we had the lights, we
had the jerseys, and we had the crowd; all we needed was to finish off the
Colonels.
Senior
running back Luke Heinsohn’s 28 yard touchdown run in the third increased the
lead by six. Again, the Centre offense was met at every turn by a General’s
defense sparked by huge performances by freshman Patrick Wright (who proved to
be a terror in Centre’s backfield) and junior defensive back Mitchell Thompson
(recently named ODAC defensive player of the week). Junior quarterback Nick
Lombardo threw for a score to fellow junior and tight end Alex Evans to bring
our tally to its final 34. Points in every quarter, a bend but don’t break
defense, and maximum effort for four (yes, all four) quarters led to what some
might call an upset, but what we in Lexington now call just another Saturday.
Players
always think they are going to win a title. Coaches always wonder if this is
the year when their team reaches the next level. The team has done all it can
to make sure we are ready to make the leap, but it was that showing by the fans
that has shown this university is ready for a change. Centre was an important
step, but now the conference stretch begins and that is where champions are
made. Physical football is demanding, but the Generals are proving to be a team
up to the challenge. Plenty of seats still left on the bandwagon. . .
