Fritz
set
to throw Lake into playoffs
Muddy field greets players in Creek-Lake game
By: SCOTT
T. SNELL, Citizen Staff
October 30, 2002
In the
aftermath of Clear Creek's 24-14 victory over Clear Lake last Friday
evening at District Stadium, the reaction on both sides was as expected.
"The field was really sloppy, and the mud and rain had been
accumulating all week long," noted Clear Lake captain and senior
quarterback Michael Fritz. "It was a challenge to play out there tonight."
Falcon
junior receiver Chris Hunter, who injured his shoulder in the big matchup,
agreed. "We all knew it would be a tough field
to play on," Hunter said. "We were hoping to be able to score in the
second half. Unfortunately, that didn't happen."
With
the score nodded 14-14 at halftime, Clear Creek tallied 10 third quarter
points to claim the win.
Despite
the fact that Fritz threw for 155 yards in the game, including one rushing
touchdown to go along with his 15- yard touchdown pass to Chris Sprott,
the Wildcat defense was able to slam the door in the second half.
"It was
good that we were able to stop them (Clear Lake) after halftime," Clear
Creek's Kevin Nail said.
Nail,
who led all rushers with 124 yards gained on 27 attempts, scored the final
touchdown of the game for the winners.
It came
via a four- yard dash through the rain and mud with 10:35 left in the
third quarter of play.
Wildcat
Brenton Bolden concluded the contest with 19 carries for 118 yards,
including one touchdown that came on a 20- yard run in the first quarter
that tied the contest at 7-7.
"It was
hard to run on this surface," Bolden conceded. "I was glad that I was able
to score."
The
other Wildcat touchdown was tallied by quarterback Gerrard Price, who
scored on a one yard run at the onset of the second quarter.
Clear
Creek kicker J.P. Padron was somehow able to connect on a 37- yard field
goal in the mess midway through the third quarter, which concluded all
scoring at 24-14.
While
Bolden and Nail rank right behind Alvin's Michael White in the rushing
department, (Nail has now accumulated 1021 yards, while Bolden has 925 so
far,) the Falcon combination of Fritz and Hunter continue to lead District
24-5A at their respective positions.
Fritz
has now thrown for 1405 yards, connecting on 91 of 180 pass attempts.
He has
11 throwing touchdowns to his credit, and his longest pass reception so
far has been 74 yards.
Hunter,
who has played basketball and baseball as well during his high school
career, leads senior Zach Muzzy of Alvin with 31 total catches so far on
the season.
His
average pass reception is 14.94 yards, and he has a net total of 463
receiving yards. Hunter's longest pass reception from Fritz has been 74
yards, and he has hauled in five pass receptions for touchdowns thus far.
Clear
Lake's Scott Oswald, Chad Everett, and Chris Sprott are also District
24-5A receiving leaders as well.
Oswald
has caught 24 passes so far, while Everett has hauled in 13 and Sprott 10.
When it comes to comebacks, however, Fritz may have one of the most
remarkable stories of all to tell.
He has
bounced back from two broken leg injuries, both suffered during his
sophomore year at Clear Lake High School, to become the senior leader of
his football team.
He
credits his father, Michael, a former quarterback himself at Lafayette
College in Pennsylvania, with much of his success.
"After
I broke both of my legs during my sophomore year, my Dad really worked
hard to help me in my rehabilitation," he said. "He really helped me to
realize that I could still play football. After my rehabilitation was
completed, I knew that I would be back."
In
addition to his rehabilitation program, Fritz also played basketball as a
sophomore for the Clear Lake boys' basketball team, a recreational league.
He also
ran track his junior year. "Running track really helped me with my legs,"
he said.
In
addition to his athletic achievements, Fritz still maintains an "A"
average at Clear Lake High School.
His
younger brother, Scott, is currently a tackle and defensive lineman in the
seventh grade at Webster Intermediate School.
As far
as college is concerned, Fritz notes that "his options are open."
"I hope
to play quarterback in college, and additionally try to achieve a good
education while doing so," he said.
First
and foremost on his mind right now, however, is helping Clear Lake to
qualify for the playoffs in his final year of high school.
"We
know that we have to defeat both Clear Brook (on Friday at 7 p.m. at
District Stadium) and Galveston Ball at Galveston in our final District
game," he said.
