Whew. Is it fair to say the D3 Football season feels like a four-horse race between Mary Hardin-Baylor, Mount Union, UW-Oshkosh and (maybe) North Central? All four teams continue to dominate with reckless abandon, and appear on a post-season-collision course that could prove to be even more unpredictable than last year.
That’s where we’re at. Week 6. Lots of football left to play. Lots of highlights to get to.
The poll closes Thursday at noon Pacific, so be sure to get your vote in on time and share with friends so they can vote as well.
Let’s do this thing.
[divider]
GARCIA WITH THE HEADS UP DEFENSIVE PLAY
How about @WPIFootball Senior Captain Lou Garcia, making an unbelievable play on 4th down in a close game for play of the week! @d3football pic.twitter.com/AsY5MRHqas
— Howie Bradley (@CoachBradley_) October 8, 2017
Defense doesn’t get enough credit. So, I’m putting this one on here, because, frankly, it is a pretty incredible play on Lou Garcia’s part. The man made one helluva move here — first, by sniffing out the fake field goal, and then, second, leaping in front of the passer to make the interception.
WPI ended up beating Catholic 31-14.
[divider]
BLOCKED PUNT LEADS TO EASY TD
Not ☝️but ✌️punt blocks for the Eagles! jQuery172041303547655355455_1507518541830?? #OurWay #d3fb #PlaysoftheWeek @HEROSportsD3FB @d3football pic.twitter.com/hLlcCWSoAO
— UWL Football (@UWLFB) October 8, 2017
This is hilarious. On the first scoring play of the game — which would feature quite a few scores — Cole Spieker burned by defenders and blocked a punt. Now, normally when that happens, the ball just kind of wobbles away for some other defender to land on. In this instance, the ball merely bounced on the ground inches from Spieker. The quick-thinking La Crosse defender leapt on top of it and secured seven points for his team.
UW-La Crosse ended up winning handily of UW-Eau Claire, 45-14.
[divider]
BARNETT MAKES SPECTACULAR 77-YARD CATCH
@TrineAthletics: Jeffery Barnett catch today against @gobrits @d3football @MIAA1888 pic.twitter.com/r2LV9RcvDE
— Gabriel Schray (@schrayguy) October 8, 2017
Now for some offense. Check out this amazing grab by Trine wide receiver Jeffery Barnett. The man was covered like a glove by a defender, but still managed to make an unbelievable 77-yard play. Well, that and the defender just didn't turn around to see the ball.
Barnett finished the day with 150 yards and three touchdowns, which helped Trine leap over Albion 56-21.
[divider]
HOOPER EVADES DEFENDERS, MAKES HUGE PLAY
Here is the @ty_hooper12 scramble and @devonte5walker’s catch on 4th Down to set up the #HardinSimmons TD #d3fb pic.twitter.com/e0VGq7Tne6
— Jordan Hofeditz (@jhofeditz) October 7, 2017
This play has all kinds of awesome written on it. Hardin-Simmons QB Ty Hooper pulled off his best Russell Wilson impersonation by scrambling from the pocket and throwing on the run to Devonte' Walker, who made a sensational leaping catch in traffic.
Sure, Mary Hardin-Baylor won 17-7, but this was one of those plays you have to highlight. Hooper finished with 160 yards and three interceptions, while Walker pulled down eight passes for 115 yards.
[divider]
CHECK OUT MONSON’S UNREAL CATCH
@HEROSportsD3FB Unreal catch by @The_handzz03 ????⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/oSwvF8WFgm
— Noah Wing (@CoachWingRF) October 8, 2017
A list of highlights isn’t complete until we get a one-handed catch. Enter UW-River Falls receiver Trenton Monson, who used a couple of nice moves to shake his defender on the sideline. QB Travon Hearns then chucked a pass in his direction, which the receiver reached out and pulled down with one hand. Good stuff.
Monson was busy in this one, pulling down five total catches for 69 yards, though River Falls ultimately fell to UW-Platteville 24-14.
[divider] Which highlight was the D3 football Play of the Week?
