The HFL B Team made their first home game in 2014 a memorable one, coming up with a big win over the Wayne Eagles, 43-20.The Cougars set the tone of the game early with a nice kick return by Hunter Meehan. After a few nice runs, Patrick Lustyk broke off a 55 yard jaunt for a touchdown, making the score 6-0 Cougars. HFL special teams also set the tone early with a big hit by Jacob Derby. The Eagles employed an effective mix of run and pass plays, moving the ball down the field. The Cougars defense tightened up near the goal line, but Wayne was able to punch in a touchdown on 4th and long from the HFL 15 yard line, tying the game at 6 with 2:54 left in the first quarter. The Eagles quickly struck back with a surprise on sides kick which they successfully recovered. Wayne took advantage by quickly scoring a TD with a long run up the middle of the HFL defense. After tacking on a 2 point kick, the Eagles led 14-6 and appeared to be on the way to soaring away with a victory. The HFL Cougars would not allow that to happen in their house.

The strong, multi-faceted HFL running attack got on track early in the second quarter. Big runs by Christian Coler and Patrick Lustyk culminated in a 25 yd. Lustyk TD run, tightening the game at 14-12. HFL’s defense made a few adjustments and ratcheted up its intensity on Wayne’s first drive of the second quarter. Garrett Hall made what turned into TD-saving tackle early in the drive. All Wayne momentum was then taken away with a big tackle for a loss by Preston Huff, and a critical 4th down stop by Ryan Sanza. Upon taking the ball over on downs, the Cougars would strike in lightning-like fashion on an 85 yard run by Patrick Lustyk. A successful extra point pass play from Brody Young to Jack Graney gave the Cougars the lead at 19-14. The Cougars would never look back from that point.

The HFL kick coverage team was good all night, as Colt Green and Nolan Yates combined to pin down the Eagles deep in their own territory on the ensuing kickoff. A stout HFL team defense combined on several gang tackle to stop any Wayne advancement, giving the Cougars the ball on the Wayne 19 yard line. In stark contrast with the scintillating speed and grace of previous HFL scoring runs on the night, Nate Ross took the very next handoff to the end zone with a jarring display of power running, employing a stiff arm to clear his way to the goal line, extending the HFL lead to 25-14.

The second half would pick up right where the first left off, with Preston Huff delivering a big blow on defense, forcing a Wayne fumble. The multi-faceted Cougars run game would strike again, with Zac Meacham breaking off a big run and Robert Greer taking it in for the score. Wayne had a difficult time getting anything going offensively, due to great kick coverage and bone-jarring hits by the Cougars defense. Wayne managed to score, but it was answered right back by the HFL tandem of Lustyk and Ross, with Ross capping off another Cougars score with a speedy 25 yard outside run for the TD. The third quarter would see another Wayne fumble forced by an aggressive Cougars defense, and would end with a 37-20 HFL lead.

Led by a few more big plays by Sanza, Coler and Huff on defense, HFL went on to shut down any attempt at an Eagles comeback. Zac Meacham would tack on another touchdown run, making the final score 43-20. All night, the HFL offensive line got strong play from Gunnar Wetzel, George Walker, and Jack Graney in blowing open holes for HFL running backs. The Cougars defense got increasingly stronger throughout the game, which is an encouraging sign as the Cougars head into Penn Yan to play a tough Mustangs squad next week. Congratulations to the B Team as they start the 2014 campaign at 2-0.