Hard Hat Award (Game #12, @ Balt.)
Stiller QB Charlie Batch and TE Heath Miller are the co-winners of the weekly Hard Hat Award, given to the Stiller player who best embodies the iron-tough, hard-as-steel attitude of the steel workers inside the blast furnace of a still mill.
After 2 consecutive weeks of such softie play that no one merited the coveted Hard Hat Award, two Stillers gave the kind of effort and determination that has made this award the stuff of legends.
Batch overcame a shoddy start last week versus Clev, and gave a stellar effort in leading the Stillers over the Ratbirds. Ol’ Charlie led the Stillers to a TD in the 3Q, and then 10 points in the 4Q to get the W. He had the presence of mind to head downfield on a Dwyer plunge, and then made a good shield-block to enable Dwyer to get to the pylon for the tying TD. This, my friends, is the mentality of Hard Hat football. Batch had a clutch pass, under heavy pressure, to Wally for 15 yards on 3d & 8 late in the 4Q, taking a huge shot to the head by Hloti Ngata that was, of course, not penalized. That, too, was Hard Hat football. His leading of the offense in the 4Q for the Miller TD, and then the long, 6-minute FG march, was simply superb. As the clock ran down to the 2MW, Batch didn’t just stand around idly chewing the fat. Ratherm, he gathered the offense around him and was exhorting his teammates to get the job done, which they did. That is Hard Hat leadership at its best.
Heath Miller was no slouch, and in fact may have had his best all-around performance in a Stiller uniform. He led the tem with 5 grabs for 97 yards. He consistently plowed and bulled for extra yardage, punishing tacklers along the way. His 4Q TD was Hard Hatting at its best, stretching out and diving to the pylon for an ultra-clutch TD.
Unlike the past 2 dismal weeks, several others were in consideration. Harrison was a beast and had a key FF. Cortez Allen came off the pine in place of an injured Ike and gave a gritty, solid effort. Worilds was rough and rugged.
Kudos to Batch and Miller for winning the Hard Hat Award. Wear the Hard Hat proudly, fellas !
Previous 2012 Hard Hatters
Week 11, @ Clev: No one
Week 10, vs. Balt: No one
Week 9, vs. KC: Larry Timmons
Week 8, @ NYG: Isaac Redman
Week 7, vs. Wash: Jonathan Dwyer and Heath Miller
Week 6, @ Cinci: Jonathan Dwyer
Week 5, @ Tenn: Isaac Redman
Week 4, vs. Phil: Larry Timmons
Week 3, @ Oak: Ben Roethlisberger
Week 2, vs. Jets: Antonio Brown
Week 1, @ Denver: Larry Foote
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