“Where have you been all the day?
Island or Bowland?
Where have you been all the day?
Island or Bowland?”- Robert Wilson’s “Scotland the Brave” 1st stanza
Well, it was not the day for the Fighting Scots from Edinboro this past Saturday. The #1 team in PSAC, the Kutztown Golden Bears, dominated at home and won 26-0. After punting on the first three possessions, and the Scots down 6-0, the momentum shifted in their favor.
Cornerback Kyrell Hutcherson blew up a screen play and forced a fumble. Safety Toby Cline then scooped the ball and ran it down to the Golden Bear 17 giving the Scots a ‘golden’ chance to score. Disaster struck two plays later. 3rd and 8 from the 15. Edinboro QB Bernard connected with Gavin Ennis and he ran it near the endzone, but…Kutztown Defensive Lineman Big Jake Davis, punched the ball free and Golden Bears recovered at the 2. The home team then, took a 9-0 lead into the half, and scored 17 in the 3rd quarter to put the game away, dropping Edinboro to 1-2. This was expected. Playing the #9 team in the country in their own house was always going to be a tall task. Onto the next one…
For the first time since I’ve been following the Fighting Scots, they will be the home team.
Travelling the four hours across the Pennsylvania countryside and marching into Sox Harrison stadium are the rowdy Bloomsburg Huskies. The Huskies are 1-1 and coming off of a brutal 13-14 home defeat to Seton Hill and will be looking to get back in the Win column this week, but so will the Scots. There is a lot at stake in this one for both sides.
It’s going to be a dreamy 73 around the NOON kickoff, so which team will be awake and make the winning plays? The Scots need to rattle the cage of the Huskie QB Ben Ries early. He is likely to get some happy feet, coming off getting sacked 4 times last week and throwing 3 picks through 2 games this season. The Scots defense needs to stay contained on the run. Simply keep the man in front and tackle. If they can avoid giving up the big play, I think the Scots have more than a ‘Fighting’ chance, especially in front of the Edinboro faithful. I can only hope that all 6,000 seats will be filled full of passionate fanatics adorned in kilts and wielding battle axes.
Saturday will be the annual Hall of Fame Game in which the newest inductees (8) will be honored.
Two inductees that stood out to be were Wrestling Coach Bruce Baumgartner and, one of the strongest defensive backs in School history, Wade Smith ’93.
“Baumgartner was a four-time Olympic medalist claiming gold in 1984 and 1992. He was the USA’s captain and flagbearer at the 1996 Olympic games. He was a three-time World Champion among numerous other accolades.” – GOFightingScots web.
And Wade Smith, well, Single High Sports loves a chance to highlight a DB. Smith finished his Fighting Scot career with 251 tackles, 12 interceptions, and still holds the school record for fumble recoveries with 8. He and his teammates combined to lead the Scots to their first ever postseason win in 1990. Sounds like a dude to me.
Next home game, I’ll get a chance to highlight a small piece of the quaint North PA town that is Edinboro. Until then, I’ll leave you with a chant that I thought of in the shower.
Fight on! You Fighting Scotsmen.
Fight on! You represent North Penn.
Fight on you Scots, play with a Grin.
Fight on you Scots, go down the field and Win!
Whit W.
Find the Humor and keep on Movin’