Sports
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Quaker football ends season with winning record
By Carl Farlow and Robbie Fisher
Staff Writers
It was a brisk day in the Armfield Athletic
Center, as the Quakers played host to in-confer-
ence opponent Emory and Henry College. The
stands were calm despite the high stakes of the
game. The Quakers could post their first back-
to-back winning seasons since 1990. Both fans
and players alike seemed determined to finish
the season on a high.
The game started slow; however, Guilford
grew restless as the afternoon wore on. It wasn't
imtil late in the game when they finally began
to prove their dominance.
The start of the fourth quarter brought the
urgency the Quakers' needed to rally back fi-om
10 points down. Quarterback Josh Vogelbach
led his team in a monstrous performance
against the visiting Wasps.
Vogelbach, a junior, completed 34 passes
on 54 attempts and threw for 364 yards and
one touchdown on his way to breaking both
his personal best and the school's records for
single-season pass completions and throwing
yards. Hagan Miller was on the receiving end
of many of those receptions, catching 11 passes
for 134 yards.
High stats are nothing new to the Quaker
football team this season, with Guilford's pass
ing game improving drastically from last year.
Interceptions went down from 26 to 18. Passing
yardage jumped to 3,769 yards from last year's
3,484; and Vogelbach's completion percentage
climbed from 57.3 percent to 63.9 percent.
"We're the number one pass offense in the
country, and we have been for the past three
years," said Head Coach Kevin Kiesel. "Josh
continues to play at a level thaFs All-American
status, and he's more and more consistent every
year. He cut down on his interceptions and his
completion rate went up."
Though Vogelbach and Miller had great
games, it was more than a two-man wreddng
crew. Tire end of the fourth quarter showed
Guilford's true character.
The final 10 minutes of play were cinemat
ic, with Emory and Henry driving and the
Quakers holding strong. As the Wasps kept
possession, they moved closer to scoring and
closer to victory. But the unthinkable hap
pened. Emotion was flowing on both sides, as
the Quaker defense made an implausible goal
line stop.
The Quakers took over on their own five
yard line and began their game winning drive.
Guilford pounded the b^ down field with
burly running from Zach Bobak and calm play
calling by Coach Kiesel. Vogelbach seemed cool
and collected at the helm, as he marched his
team down field play by play.
As Guilford continued to run the ball, pen
alties by Emory and Henry only helped the
Quakers. Approaching the end zone with a
dear consdence, Guilford remained steady as
they proved to be more of a quality team.
"We're the number one pass offense in the country, and we have
been for the past three years. Josh (Vogelbach) continues to play
at a level that's All-American status, and he's more and more
consistent every year."
Head Coach Kevin Kiesel
V\fith the end zone in sight and the Wasps on
his heals, Vogelbach completed a sound, crisp
pass to receiver Chad Kastor on a third down.
Guilford was first and goal, on the Wasps' five
yard line.
Antidpation lingered throughout the sta
dium and daunting uncertainties ran through
the crowd. So many things could go wrong for
Guilford right now. Emory and Henry could
make a god line stop just like the Quakers did.
But Guilford took no prisoners as they rallied
around each other to make the final push. After
several attempts to score, Justin Parker willed
the ball into the end zone as he swiftly ran
around the right, outside comer.
Wi\h the Quakers leading from Parker's
touchdown, the defense had to come up big to
seal the game. And they did.
"We have a defensive system that our play
ers have played and learned for two years,"
Kiesel said.
The defense was the epitome of this system.
They were veteran like as they took their stance
one last time to defend their lead. They worked
as one, but Mike Six came up huge with key
sacks to allow Guilford to emerge the victor.
The 21-17 win pushed Gi:^ord to a 6-4
overall record and their second consecutive
winning season under Coach Kiesel. Though
the Queers will graduate nine talented seniors
this year, the future continues to look promis
ing, especially on defense.
"Now we're going to have seniors, juniors,
and sophomores play in our defensive system,
instead of just the sophomores and juniors,"
Kiesel said.
- Next year should be even stronger. With
Vogelbach returning, the passing game should
be full throttle, and with the defensive system
in tact, Guilford should be tme contenders for
the ODAC title.
"A lot of these (players) are guys who are
going to come back," Sports Information
Director Dave Walters said. "I don't think
there's any reason why we shouldn't be able to
contend next year."
Special Olympics draws Guilford support
By Paddy Lehane
Staff Writer
The beautiful autumn day played sec
ond fiddle to the action on the field of
the High Point Athletic Complex on Nov.
11. The complex was the site of the 2007
Special Olympics-North Carolina fall
games, with around 1,000 athletes from
50 counties competing.
J.J. McDowell, the volunteer and fami
lies director of the North Carolina chapter
of the Special Olympics, has been partici
pating in the program for years.
McDowell played on a unified team in
high school, which is a team of intellectu
ally disabled people and people without
disabilities playing side-by-side.
"Seventeen years later, I took a job and
I'm still with it," McDowell said.
The fall games feature five sports: soc
cer, bocce, roller-skating, cycling, and
golf. Athletes of all ages took part in play
ing the games.
The expansive outdoor arena was filled
with what looked like dozens of athletes
and coaches, and even more fans and
volunteers.
Simultaneous games of soccer were
being played on the lower fields, while a
large bocce court was set up on a baseball
field.
A staggering 1,000 volunteers contrib
uted to making the games a success
for the athletes and spectators. Without
the help of these volunteers, the Special
Olympics might never have come to cul
mination.
While volunteers do help out, some
like to think that they get a lot out of the
experience as well.
"I've certainly seen a change in the
lives of the folks that volunteer as well
as the athletes that compete," McDowell
said.
Guilford students made up a portion
of the many volunteers at the Games.
Around 20 Guilford students trekked to
High Point to help out.
In an event organized by Craig
Eilbacher, instructor of sports studies,
several sports medicine majors were on
the scene as medical staff.
"It's good practice and a lot of fun," said
senior Lenore Spransy. "It's a good oppor
tunity to apply what we've learned."
Members of the men's soccer team lent
a hand as well. They served as ball boys,
but more importantly as support for the
athletes.
"It was inspiring to see all the people
getting into that game the same as any
other sporting event," said junior Sam
Huff. "The athletes were going all out and
were obviously dedicated to the game."
And while many of the athletes were
happy to play the sport they love, they
also came to win.
During an awards ceremony, one ath
lete received a medal for his achieve
ments during competition.
A boisterous and ecstatic, "Yes!" sound
ed off and was met with loud applause.
The man bowed his head and was given
his medal.
He stood straight and tall, and beamed
a smile at no one in particular. As he
looked off, it became clear what the smile
was telling the audience.
It was a smile of pride.
Ultimate
(Left) Senior Dan
Katzman throws past a
Roanoke defender during
their game at Roanoke
on Nov. 10
(Below) First-year Ben
Macdonald passes to
Captain Josh Lewis
Dan Miller/Guilfordian