Hobart coach Ryan Turley wasn’t discouraged after reviewing the film from his team’s Week 1 loss at Chesterton.
“When we were down, we fought back,” he said. “That’s a sign of a good team. We were just young. They say that you see what a team is all about between Week 1 and Week 2 with how much growth you have.”
The host Brickies showed what they were all about on Friday night against LaPorte, beating the Slicers 34-23.
“Our seniors rose to the challenge and led us,” Turley said.
Hobart (1-1) started quickly, picking up a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter on its way to a 21-15 halftime lead over LaPorte (1-1).
But the biggest moments of the game came on a pair of goal-line stands by the Hobart defense in the second half.
Turley said motivation from assistant coaches Tom Kerr and Charlie Boston fueled the fire that led to those crucial stops.
“There was a point during practice this week when they told our guys that we had to develop an attitude inside the 10-yard line,” Turley said. “That we’re not just going to fold up and let the team in. They made things happen with their backs against the wall.”
On the opening drive of the second half, the Slicers marched 67 yards on 20 plays, the finale coming on fourth down just 4 yards from the end zone. LaPorte senior running back Drayson Nespo was swarmed by the middle of the Brickies’ defense at the 1.
“When you leave 14 points out there, that’s the game right there,” LaPorte assistant coach Bob James said.
Head coach Dave Sharpe missed the game after his son was born early Friday morning.
The Slicers’ next possession also came within inches of a touchdown, but Hobart’s defense forced a fumble that was recovered by junior linebacker Sal Valle.
“We didn’t change a thing. We just did the same thing we did the first time,” Valle said. “I’m not sure who it was, but someone came and punched the ball out with their left hand and I fell on the ball.”
Valle was an even bigger part of Hobart’s offense, picking up 113 yards and three TDs on his 16 carries. His longest score put the game out of reach for good — a 35-yarder late in the fourth quarter after LaPorte had pulled within four points of the Brickies.
Senior quarterback Sam Ehrlich led the Brickies with 155 yards rushing, crediting his backfield teammates with assists all game.
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“I got the best blocking backs in the Region,” Ehrlich said. “They set the blocks, our receivers did a good job of setting the edge and I was able to get outside.”
Dave Melton is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.