Franchise ResourcesHitmen upset Junkyard dogs 27-24 in thrilling fashion
Last Saturday night the Muskego Hitmen squared off against the undefeated West Bend Junkyard dogs in a key late season National Conference match-up. The game turned into a classic and created an instant rivalry between the two teams.
Nick Seliger, Hitmen team owner and IFL Hall of Famer, shares his thoughts on the game and offers his unique prospective on the sheer intensity and emotions that were displayed that memorable night. Here is a recap of the game in his own words…
When the schedule for the 2010 IFL season came out, there were a couple of games that were circled. One was July 17th vs. the Madison Mustangs, and the other was June 26th vs. the West Bend Junk Yard Dogs. I’m not one to look past any of the teams in the IFL, I take one game at a time. But the competitor in me just can’t help but to pump up for some games more than others because of the history we have with certain teams. The Mustangs because that late game loss in the NFC championship, still ways heavy on my mind. We came, “that close” to heading to our fourth Ironbowl, and knocking off the IFL’s goliath. The other circle on my calendar, the Junk Yard Dogs was not because of history, but because of future.
So when Saturday rolled around our guys were jacked to say the least. The scene was set. The game was to be played at Hart Park, which was sure to make for a very fast game. The temp was average for a mid-summer night in Wisconsin, but the atmosphere was electric. The game started with the Hitmen winning the coin toss and choosing to defer. The Dogs chose to receive. The opening kick was short and ended up right in the hands of and ex Hitmen, Jake Klipp. Who returned the ball ten yards to the 50 to set the dogs up for their first drive of the game. The Dogs would strike first and fast. The defense was able to hold the Dogs to only 3. But that wasn’t it. Before the first quarter was over the scoreboard read 18-0 in favor of the Junkyard dogs.
Many people in the stadium were getting ready for a route. But not head coach Carter Robbins and the Muskego Hitmen. A lot of teams put in that position may try to play not to get hurt, or just plain give up. NOT the Hitmen! We knew that we had the talent to beat our opponent; we just needed to get our guys on the same page. Well that happened in the second quarter and there was no looking back. The Hitmens’ first score would come in the way of a bomb to wide receiver Dominique Johnson, from quarterback Andy Janatis for his first of two touchdown passes. Dominique ended up with two catches for 58 yards and one touchdown. Janatis added one more to wide receiver Shawn Saglin for a 7 yard touchdown pass. The rest of the scoring would come on the legs of running back Jo Jo Moore. His first score was a 38 yard sprint to pay dirt. And his second was a 13 yard scamper to cap the Hitmen’s 27-0 scoring run. Moore ended up with 9 carries for 62 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The ensuing kick-off would go right to the Dogs burner who to the kick about 80 yards for the score, giving the Dogs some hope. The extra point was missed and the score read 27-24 in favor of the Hitmen. So with about 1:30 left in the game we knew the Dogs were going to have to go with an onside kick. The Hitmen Put their “hands” team on the field. The kick fell right into the sure hands of running back Darrell Ellison. Who then was hit snot knocker style by another ex-Hitmen, Dogs linebacker Joe Porter. Darrell held on to it. All that was left for the Hitmen to do was run down the clock. But the Junkyard Dogs had time outs left, so the Hitmen would need at least one first down to end this one. The suspense was not over yet. On a fourth and short Muskego went for it. It was too close to call and a measurement was needed. The tension could have been cut with a knife. After a long look Muskego had gotten enough. All that was left to do was kneel down, and go home with the win.
The Hitmen defense was like a leaky siv in the first quarter but made some adjustments and eventually shut down the Dogs offense. Leading the way with 7 tackles was Linebacker Robert Lee, and with 4 tackles D-end Tom Alexander. Anthony Evans and Mike Liebert each added an interception. We can’t forget to mention NUMBER 99 Mike Raetz, who not only recovered a fumble but showed Shear athleticism and dropped back into coverage from his D-line position and broke up one of quarterback Mike Bernal’s passes.
In one game a rivalry was made. The game could have gone either way. And anyone there that night looking for a good football game to watch was not disappointed. When the game was over the Dogs were no longer undefeated and fell to (4-1) overall and (2-1) in the NFC. The Hitmen improved their record to (4-1) overall and (3-0) in the NFC. Up next for the dogs are the Greendale Panthers (1-5) while Muskego travels to Wisconsin Lutheran College to take on the Wauwatosa Spartans (3-3).
Photo courtesy of John Stats.
