Hart Dad
2008 - Righetti
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The short story is that in the first half, the Hart offense was  unimpressive but the defense did a good job with some big hits.  In the second half, the offensive line was dominating and Hart absolutely controlled the ball on offense and shut down Righetti on defense.  Great progress from last week but a long way to go.

Diamond went out with a shoulder separation and could be gone for 3-4 weeks.  His absence created a lot of confusion on the offense because no one was really prepared to fill his “H” back role.  In the second half, Hart returned to the traditional spread the Indians have used for the last 19 years and just pounded it down Righetti’s throat, passing only when necessary.

The play-by-play (or series by series)

Hart got a 25-yard return from MacArthur on the kickoff and started at the 33.  Last week the first play was a 19-yard loss.  Tonight, the first play was a 35-yard pass to Almond down to the Righetti 32.  A sign of the times.  Sort of.  Then: run by Souza for 6, fumble on a lateral for -2, sack for -10 and incomplete on fourth down.

Righetti started at the 38 and steadily moved the ball with a nice mix of running and passing, getting down to the Hart 17 where they were stopped about an inch short on fourth down.  There was one apparently terrible call in this series.  The QB threw a long pass down field which was caught at about the 15.  From my perspective and just about every other fan in the place, the receiver caught it and headed for the end zone, taking 3 or 4 steps when he got hit and coughed up the ball.  A Hart kid picked it up and headed off the other direction for about 20 yards or so.  Ruling: incomplete.

Hart started off the next series with a 16-yard run by Stevens, -1 on a run by Diamond, a 3-yard pass to Almond followed by an incomplete and a punt.

Righetti got a 9-yard return but a hold moved it back to the 34.  They moved to the Hart 31 but a fourth down pass was knocked down.

Hart lost 3 on the first play.  On second down, Diamond took a pitch and headed up the left sideline in front of the Hart bench.  He was hit and knocked out of bounds and that was the end of his night.  The shoulder pads came off and a sling and a lot tape went on.  Hart punted on fourth down.

Righetti three and out. 
 
Hart started at the 35 and down to the Righetti 36 before turning it over on downs.  Almond had his third reception of the half.

Righetti 3 and out.

Hart 3 and out.

Righetti started at the 30 and got down to the Hart 9 on 7 plays and then had a field goal blocked with 3 seconds left in the half.

0-0 at half.  

First Half Stats:

Righetti: The RB had 54 yards on 15 carries.  The QB had 14 yards on 3 carries and was sacked once.  He was 8 of 17 for 73 yards.

Hart: Stevens had 26 yards on 4 carries.  Souza had 25 on 5 carries and was sacked once.  Diamond had 4 yards on 2 carries and there were two “team” losses (fumbled exchanges) for -5.  Souza was 3 of 9 for 34 yards, all the catches by Almond.

Righetti started the second half at the 20 and went 3 and out.

Hart started at the 40 and went on a 16-play drive down to the 6 .  The almost drive killing play was a 14-yard loss on a sack.  The resurrection play was a 14-yard pass to Borland on fourth down to get a first and ten. Hart settled for a field goal to make it 3-0 at 5:06 in the third.

Righetti went three and out but got a 66-yard punt.

Hart started at the 12 and went on a 15-play drive with Stevens running it in from the 7 for the touchdown.  The preceding play was key with Souza again passing to Borland for 11 yards on 4th and 8.  Hart 10-0 at 9:48 in the fourth.

Righetti started at the 10 and had a run for 21, a pass for 18 and then a pass for 15 followed by, once again, 3 and out – actually 4 and out and Hart took over at the 24.

Hart went 76 yards on 12 plays with Stevens running it in from 5.  Righetti committed a critical pass interference penalty in the end zone on fourth down to keep the Indian drive alive.  Hart 16-0 at 1:42.

Righetti started at the 20 and went incomplete, pass for 6 and incomplete.  On fourth down, the QB let it fly down field.  MacArthur intercepted it (Knock it down! KNOCK IT DOWN!) and returned to about the 5 – but, Hart was called for a hold way back up field which moved the ball back to about the 38.  Hart also got hit for 2 unsportsmanlike calls as well for a net penalty of about 63 yards – most I have every seen!

Second half stats:

Righetti: RB had 28 yards on 4 carries.  The QB had 0 yards on 2 carries and was sacked once.  He was 4 for 11, 47 yards and 1 interception. Righetti had 75 yards for the half.

Hart: Stevens had 108 yards on 18 carries (I might be off one carry) and 2 TDs. Souza had 67 yards 14 carries including 1 sack for -14.  Almond had 1 carry 8 yards.  Souza was 4 for 8 for 59 yards.  Stevens had 1 for 22, Borland 2 for 25 and Almond 1 for 12. 

Totals for Hart: Stevens had  134 yards on 22 carries (6.1 ypc) and 2 TDs.  Souza had 92 yards on 19 carries and was sacked a couple of times.  He was 7 for 17 and 94 yards passing.

Hart’s 242 total yards in the second half was pretty productive.

Comments: The offensive line was dominate, especially on running plays in the second half.  They were considerably better on pass protection though that may be a reflection of the caliber of the opposition.  Souza seemed just a little too fired up in the first half, firing the ball too hard and overshooting targets.  His receivers dropped a couple but that’s life in the big city.  It happens.

The second half was a solid offensive performance, if not exhilarating from the fan perspective.  There was a fair amount of confusion because of the loss of Diamond but thing settled down fairly well by the second half.

The defense really popped some people and generally did very well.  

Not sparkling but pretty solid all around.  

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