The HFL B-team Cougars have given most of their opponents fits by employing a well-balanced, multi-faceted attack that is very hard to defend. This would hold true again for the Cougars versus the Newark Jr. Reds on the first weekend of play in October. On the very first drive of the game, HFL employed its potent mix of speed and strength in its running game. Patrick Lustyk, Nate Ross, and Zac Meacham all moved the chains until Lustyk scored the first touchdown of the game within the two minute mark. Newark appeared to be on their way to matching the feat, effectively moving the ball downfield. As he has done frequently this year, Jamie Greer set the tone on defense with a ferocious hit on a first down run. The HFL defense then responded like sharks in a feeding frenzy, seeing Hayden Meehan following up with a big stop on second down. Then, the Cougars finished with a big QB sack by Christian Coler on third down, followed by a gang tackle on fourth down. The Cougar defense had taken control, and they would never look back.

Patrick Lustyk piled on another TD on a 70-yard weaving scamper, putting the Cougars up 12-0. Newark quickly responded with a nice TD pass, bringing them within 12-6. It was then the HFL offensive line’s turn to show what they had, as Branden Levine, Jack Graney, Gunnar Wetzel, George Walker, Benjamin McDougall, and Jack Davidson consistently blew open holes for HFL to run through. With the score 12-6 in HFL’s favor at the break, HFL opened the second half action with a beautiful aerial strike from Mason Wanzenreid to Jack Graney for a 35-yard touchdown, extended the Cougars lead to 18-6. HFL’s stout defense once again held the Jr. Reds offense in check, allowing HFL to score on a Nate Ross 25-yard TD run. Nolan Yates was able to connect on a 2-pt. conversion kick, putting the Cougars up 26-6. The HFL defense came up big again with pressure that forced a critical Newark fumble. The Cougars quickly capitalized, with Nate Ross scoring on another long run. Brody Young connected with Charles Kirby on an extra point pass play, making the score 33-6 HFL. Jaden Inboune led the HFL special teams all day with great kick coverage, always pinning Newark deep in their own territory. Newark would get the ball back one last time, but the win was sealed on a Preston Huff 35-yard interception return for a touchdown with 51 seconds left in the game. The Cougars won by a final score of 39-6, improving their record to 5-2 on the year. The Cougars look to pick up a win in their final game of the year against the Dundee Jr. Scots on October 19 at 12:00PM in Honeoye Falls.