Matt Albert
TFL Press
CHAMPAIGN--Week 1 of the TFL started off with a bang as Team A defeated Team B 28-21 in dramatic fashion. Quinn Fuechsl’s pass to a wide open Joe Griglione gave Team A the decisive touchdown with only 10 seconds remaining.
The 21 yard strike was Fuechsl’s third touchdown pass of the day and also his third of the half. “I was just trying to find my stroke,” said Fuechsl. “I was lucky that Joe [Griglione] had his legs under him because he is the Italian Stallion.” While Fuechsl showed utmost confidence in his number one receiver, Griglione wasn’t shy about admitting his nerves on the final scoring play. “I was just thinking catch it because I blew the coverage from before. It was all about redemption.”
The two teams started off slowly in the first half with the only touchdown coming on Fuechsl’s 29 yard run just before halftime. He was able to elude three, possibly four, defenders on his way to the first score of the young season. Fuechsl also started the scoring in the second half with a 4 yard touchdown pass to Brad Wheaton.
Team B responded on the very next possession when Bob Mecozzi returned the ensuing kickoff 21 yards to make it 14-7. It was just the beginning of a valiant effort by Mecozzi to keep his team in the game. Team A extended the lead to 21-7 when Fuechsl hooked up for the first time with Griglione for a 22 yard touchdown pass.
Not to be outdone, Mecozzi found Andy Imig on the run for an 18 yard touchdown pass making it 21-14 with about 9 minutes remaining. The two teams traded possessions until Team B successfully executed a two minute drill with Mecozzi firing a 15 yard touchdown pass to Tim Schwaegler with only 21 seconds remaining.
Team A returned the following kickoff to about midfield with 16 seconds to play. This set up the heroics from Fuechsl and Griglione. Team B had one last chance to tie up the contest, but Mecozzi’s Hail Mary pass fell incomplete with Fuechsl fittingly being the one who knocked it down to give Team A the win.
Fuechsl was 7/21 on the day, good enough for 59 yards passing. Fuechsl also rushed the ball twice, picking up 31 yards. Griglione was the leading receiver of the game with 2 catches for 43 yards. Mecozzi led Team B by going 5/18 for 43 yards passing. Mecozzi’s best performance came on the ground, though, with his kick return for a touchdown and his 29 yards on 9 attempts. Team A’s Andy Gradl was the leading tackler for the game with 4 tackles. Rob Greathouse and Brad Wheaton also chipped in with 3 each. Team B’s leading tackler was Schwaegler with 3 stops.
Game Notes
The new timing rules were received well by the two teams…The total attendance for the game was 3…The field was in good condition except for an infestation of silk worms…Andy Wheaton had the TFL’s first interception of the year…The beginning of the game was marked by severe heartbreak when Val Billing was switched to Team B after she had worked so hard to get on Team A by trading spots with Mike West prior to the start of the season. She could not be reached for comment, but she appeared to handle the situation well. The switch happened when Team B did not have enough players.
All photos courtesy of Michelle Lewis, TFL photographer
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