1999: Mixed Game
The first official, invitational, Paul Blank classic was held on Thanksgiving Day 1999. The teams were mixed rosters of various alumni from the Jewish Day School, with full 11 man squads. Besides a competitive, hard hitting game, there were referees, rules, the star spangled banner before kickoff, a halftime show featuring guest speaker Danny Ymar, and an MVP trophy. The teams were quarterbacked by Noah Zimmerman (’99), and Mark Krakauer (’98), respectively. In the first half Mark’s team racked up yardage through the air as he threw two touchdown passes. Paul Blank caught the first touchdown of the game, and Joel Sandler (’96) hauled in the second right before halftime. Noah’s team struggled with the passing attack, but behind their workhorse Dubi (’82), the team stayed in the game. Dubi and Noah each had short touchdown runs in the first half, but were still down to Mark’s team, 14-12.
In the second half Dubi continued running up the middle, and Noah’s team controlled the clock and possession for most of the second half. With his second touchdown of the game Dubi put his team ahead, and the kick by Ariel Oxman made the score 20-14. Mark answered with several completions to Elliot Totah (’98), moving the ball into scoring possession, and finally scoring on a 1 yard quarterback sneak to put his team ahead 22-20. Late in the game Mark had his team in control, choosing to run the ball and kill the clock. However, Asaf Nagler (’99), fumbled the ball which was recovered by Sam Kassahun (‘98), giving Noah another chance. Noah drove his team down to the goal line and hit Dan Fulop (’99) with a short pass in the end zone. The key play on the drive occurred on a 4th and 1 when Noah juked Mr. Blank who missed the tackle, keeping the drive alive. Mark threw a desperation pass that was intercepted by Kassahun as time expired.
Z K
Z: Noah – 1yd td run 6 0
K: Krakauer 10 yard pass to Blank 6 7
Z: Dubi – 1yd td run 12 7
K: Krakauer – 15 yd td pass to Sandler 12 14
HALF
Z: Dubi – 5yd td run (A.oxman kick) 20 14
K: Krakauer – 1yd td run (kick good) 20 22
Z: Noah - 3yd td pass to D.Fulop (kick no good) 26 22
MVP: Dubi (2 td, 100 rushing yards, 5 tackles)
