Cole started playing football in the 2nd grade, before most of the kids on his current team (different school district). It was iffy at the time, you know moms not so sure of their little boy playing football.
But it was love at first tackle. It's been a high point and anchor for him through some very trying years. But something about the controlled anarchy and of course the chance to crush someone within the rules (hmm, stickfighting?).
This will be his 10th and senior year and possibly his last. Yes at Stanford he could be a walk-on but would that be worth it.
But it was love at first tackle. It's been a high point and anchor for him through some very trying years. But something about the controlled anarchy and of course the chance to crush someone within the rules (hmm, stickfighting?).
This will be his 10th and senior year and possibly his last. Yes at Stanford he could be a walk-on but would that be worth it.
Leading the team song after a win
Friday night was a great night for him (#44). Doubleteamed most of the first 1/2 (the other teams watched film and knew already) but he still wreaked havoc. Then in the 2nd 1/2 he really lit them up. Blocked a punt that set up the first score for the team and really changed the course of the game. Then went on to rack up solo and assisted tackles.
Came down to the final 25 seconds and a win. An extremely happy team. The only other two times I can remember seeing him this happy was getting his 34 on ACT's and winning Worlds in the PI.
And, he made the paper the next day too boot.
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/footballfever/x1985976034/Hamilton-rallies-past-Byron-Center-with-trick-play
Hamilton rallies past Byron Center with trick play.
By ALAN BABBITT
The Holland Sentinel
Posted Sep 18, 2010 @ 12:30 AM
Hamilton, MI — The Hamilton football team refers to the play as “Z Explosion.”
It can be called a season saver, too.
The Hawkeyes stunned Byron Center with a 14-13 win Friday at home, using a pass off a reverse for a 66-yard gain that set up running back Joey DeGood’s winning 1-yard touchdown plunge with 24.5 seconds remaining.
Hamilton evened its record at 2-2 overall with the thrilling OK Green Conference win. The Hawkeyes also kept their state playoff chances from flickering further.
PRIME PERFORMERS
• Cole Van Harn, Hamilton linebacker. The senior was a disruptive force at the line of scrimmage, blocking a punt to set up Hamilton’s first touchdown and making three tackles for loss.
• Nathaniel White and Mitch Klein, Hamilton receivers. The two executed Hamilton’s desperation trick play to perfection. White is the team’s backup quarterback, while Klein is not a regular on offense but was put there for the play.
• Cody Buresh, Hamilton defensive back. The senior blocked a critical extra point after Byron Center’s go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter with 5:34 remaining in the fourth quarter. It paid big dividends when Skylar Sale kicked the go-ahead PAT five minutes later.
TURNING POINT
Sitting 1st-and-10 at its 25-yard line with 1:51 remaining, Hamilton stood 75 yards from the end zone and had barely produced that much on offense for the entire game. The left-handed White took a pitch, reversed field and tossed a perfect strike down field. Klein caught the ball and was tackled at the Byron Center 9-yard line. Three plays later, DeGood ran in the end zone to tie the score.
KEY STAT
149 — Number of yards Hamilton produced against Byron Center. Half of them came during the Hawkeyes’ final scoring possession.
SCORING SUMMARY
BC 0 7 0 6—13
H 0 0 7 7—14
Second quarter
BC — Derek Sievers 5 run (Charlie Wait kick), 14.7
Third quarter
H — Joey DeGood 4 run (Skylar Sale kick), 7:42
Fourth quarter
BC — Sievers 3 run (kick blocked), 5:34
H — DeGood 1 run (Sale kick), 24.5
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“We said we’re going to go empty, try to chuck it and see if we can get the ball down the field. We really worked at that play. It keeps our season alive.” — Hamilton coach Chris Myers
“We work on blocking kicks a little bit. If we see a point, we try to capitalize on it. It’s just us going hard like we know how to do.” — Hamilton senior Cole VanHarn
“It’s a big turnaround for us.” — Hamilton receiver Mitch Klein
BOTTOM LINE
Hamilton still is struggling to get its offense moving, but the Hawkeyes came up with the clutch play they needed to bounce back from a 42-14 loss to Zeeland East. Hamilton now goes on the road for the first time next week at Wyoming Rogers.
Copyright 2010 The Holland Sentinel. Some rights reserved
And my Dad and Norma were able to be there along with Roberta's dad.
My dad's been in poor health all summer but got some encouraging news from the heart specialist that same day so he was able to make what was a very exciting night.
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