The Observer

Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Shane Lu Zach Homyk during the Spartans' first-round playoff game against Wabash. They were knocked out by the Little Giants for the second straight year.

Down by four, sacked on third down, and with just over a minute left to go in a season that was crumbling around him, Wabash quarterback Matt Hudson connected with wide receiver Wes Chamblee for 21 yards on fourth-and-15, breathing life into the ashes that were the Little Giants' playoff hopes.

Hudson's 52-yard touchdown pass to Chamblee on the very next play extinguished Case's expectation of moving onto the second round of the NCAA Div. III playoffs.

"It sure was a swing," said Case head coach Greg Debeljak. "I was kind of at a loss for words when I was talking to my kids."

If you were standing on the Case sideline, all was right with the world when the game clock read 1:52. Debeljak patted Dan Whalen on the head as the quarterback strode off the field. Whalen had convinced Debeljak to go for it on fourth-and-goal with Case trailing 13-10, instead of kicking the field goal. The gutsy call paid off. Whalen dove into the end zone for a touchdown.

On their previous possession, Case marched 64 yards in nine plays. Whalen ran in for the score from eight yards out.

After allowing a touchdown with 8:58 remaining in the game, the Spartans' defense clamped down. Brian Calderone, playing on a torn ACL, almost single handedly stopped Hudson and company.

The Spartans were usually defending a short field. Wabash's average field position was their 40-yard line. Case's average field position was their own 27.

Before losing their regular season finale to DePauw, Wabash was ranked as high as third in some national polls. They slipped to 15th and were the sixth seed in the north region. Case was the third seed.

The Spartans jumped out to a quick lead. Kicker Sam Coffey booted through a 31-yard field goal with 10:35 left in the first quarter to put Case ahead, 3-0.

Wabash threatened in the early going, but Zach Homyk's block of a 27-yard field goal attempt and a fourth-down goal line stand kept the Little Giants off the scoreboard in the first half.

Continued...

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