Seeks opportunity Delphi freshman quarterback Matt Brown drops back to pass Friday night against Seeger. The Oracles lost the first round sectional game to the Patriots, 35-7. Bill Stauffer photo The Seeger Patriots ended the Delphi Oracles season quickly Friday evening when behind the rushing of running backs Ethan Cronk and Brandon Ruemler, the hosts jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the first period en route to a 35-7 victory.

Delphi could do little but play for pride after watching Seeger ring up 266 yards of offense in the opening period with Cronk and Ruemler getting 250 of those yards.

Cronk appeared to be headed for a long touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage for Seeger when he was caught from behind by Matt Dent after 39 yards. Dent's hustle only temporarily stopped the Patriots though as four plays later they scored on a 13-yard pass by QB Scott Moore.

The next time that Seeger had the ball there would be no heroics from the Oracles. Cronk ran around the left end of the Oracle line and sprinted 86 yards up the sideline. With less than six minutes played the Oracles were behind 14-0.

Seeger, after a Delphi punt, started the next drive at its own 30. This time it was Brad Roth who stopped a one-play drive when he caught up to Ruemler after a 48-yard dart. Once again, the Patriots didn't let this slow them down much; they scored three plays later. The Oracles punted again and it took the Patriots one play to score their 28th point of the quarter when Ruemler ran 62 yards.

Delphi stopped the Patriots early in the second period when they forced a turnover on downs. While the defense stepped up, the offense was still struggling to find some kind of momentum. They could only manage a single first down on a 14-yard run by Tanner Lynde before Dustin Salyer punted the ball. Six plays later the score was 35-0.

Delphi scored its only points of the game when, with just seconds remaining before the half. Seeger lined up to kick a 24-yard field goal. Roth rocketed around the right end of the Seeger line to block the attempt. Karson Bender picked up the ball and ran 86 yards for a touchdown as time expired. The score was 35-7.

While the offense still couldn't advance the ball in the second half the Oracle defense did play better. Holding the Patriots scoreless. Seeger ran a 13-play drive but got no points. On 4th and 5 from the 14, Matt Dent and David Furness combined to stuff QB Moore three yards short of a first down. Late in the game the Oracle defense again stopped Seeger from scoring on a 4th and goal from the 2. The Oracles could do little but run out the remaining time on the clock.

It has been a long season of frustration for the Oracles and the coaching staff. Going winless is not fun for anyone, but hopefully things were positive enough to build upon for next year.