Team D Clinches Third Place with High-Scoring Win

Team B Puts Up Valiant Effort Despite Missing Mecozzi

Matt Albert
TFL Press

CHAMPAIGN--Team D came into Sunday's game knowing it needed to win to have any shot at a possible berth in next week's championship game. It also knew it would need some help from Team A in order to get there, too. They got the win 42-35, but they didn't quite get enough help from Team A in the following game. Nevertheless, Team D put on an offensive clinic as quarterback Scott Wujek completed a pass with every receiver on his squad.

Wujek was phenomenal behind center in his 3rd week of leading the young crop of mostly freshmen and sophomores. He was 12/18 for 77 yards, and he found the end zone twice through the air. In addition, he rushed the ball 7 times for 37 yards. Wujek was quick to give praise to his offensive line. "I want to thank Brittany Davis for doing a stellar job on Kim [Lareau]. She kept her off me all afternoon."



The humorously ironic Wujek was able to utilize his entire roster throughout the day. Matt Danalewich led his team in receiving yards with 3 catches for 35 yards. Also with three catches was Katrina Willitz, good enough for 14 yards. Brendan Frank had 2 catches for 6 yards and Brittany Davis had one catch for 2 yards.

Also having a stellar offensive day was Team B (0-3) quarterback with Chris Preston. Preston was only 6/22 for 51 yards passing, but his rushing total was astounding--12 attempts resulting in 82 yards. In only two weeks of play, he is just 8 yards short of 100. Preston led off the scoring with a 22 yard scramble on the second play from scrimmage as he got great blocking from Andy Wheaton, Chris Paolinetti, and Tim Schwaegler. Schwaegler led all tacklers with 6 on the day.

Wujek responded not once but twice for touchdowns with a 7 yard run and a 5 yard run. The second one gave Team D (2-1) the lead with 10:15 remaining in the first half. Preston came right back with an 18 yard touchdown pass to Andy Wheaton with 8:05 left in the half to tie it at 14. The scoring continued immediately as Jon Huffman took the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown and a 21-14 lead for Team D. It was his first special teams touchdown of the year, and it was only the second kick that has been returned for a touchdown in regular season play (Bob Mecozzi). Wujek made it 28-14 just minutes before halftime with a 27 yard pass to a wide open Matt Danalewich. It was also Danalewich's first touchdown of the year.

As halftime approached, the steady misting that had been present all day turned into showers. It forced the commandeering of Huffman's car as a lone reporter turned it into his personal press box. Luckily, his laptop and game notes were saved and dry. There wasn't much debate about whether to continue play as both teams clearly were enjoying themselves in the cloudy, mid-60s weather.

The second half scoring began right where it left off as Team D increased their lead again. Wujek made it 35-14 with 16:25 left in the game as he ran the ball in from 7 yards out behind the blocking of Davis. Preston was finally able to get his team back in the scoring column 6 minutes later with a 3 yard run to make it 35-21.



Team D once again quashed any comeback effort when Wujek hooked up with Huffman for a 14 yard touchdown pass at the 7:50 mark. Preston began to make it respectable with a 6 yard touchdown run with 6:37 left in the game. With the score at 42-28, Preston was able to find a subbing Brad Wheaton in the end zone for a 4 yard touchdown but with only 51 seconds in the game. Team D was able to run the clock out and preserve the 42-35 victory.

Game Notes

Team B clearly was hampered by the absence of Bob Mecozzi. Mecozzi did not play in the game because he was granted a bereavement leave. Mecozzi was scheduled to attend the flushing of his parakeet, vanaCe vanUg Mecozzi, Sunday afternoon. A Saturday night autopsy revealed that his pet of 8 years died of bird flu...Because Team C did not lose by enough points in the second game, Team D will have a rematch with Team B next week for 3rd place due to point differential in the standings...When asked who he'd rather play next week, Wujek said, "I definitely don't want to face Calvin [Braker] because he's easily the MVP so far." Wujek will get his wish in next week's contest.

All photos courtesy of TFL photographer and world-renowned bounty hunter Michelle Lewis.