EAGLES TOP WILDCATS IN DISTRICT OVERTIME THRILLER, 34-28
Launch the media gallery 1 playerEagles top Wildcats in district overtime thriller……..34-28
The Eagles of Allen, overcame two second quarter turnovers that led to Hartington-Newcastle scores, posting a 34-28 overtime, district win at Hartington, Friday night.
The Eagles struck on their second play of the game, as Lukas Oswald bolted 47 yards to pay dirt. Oswald hit Ryan Anderson on the PAT pass to put the Eagles up 8-0 at the 10:20 mark.
Both teams played fairly evenly throughout the balance of the first period. Early in the second period, two consecutive Eagle fumbles, led to short field scores for the host Wildcats, allowing them to take the lead at intermission 16-8.
The Eagles closed the deficit to 16-14, as they took the second half kickoff the length of the field to pay dirt, ending on an Oswald to Krommenhoek pass of 13 yards.
Meanwhile, the Eagle defense, was in bend but don’t break mode, keeping the Wildcat offense out of the end zone. Early in the fourth period, the Eagle offense scored again, when Oswald hit Steven Cooks on a 6 yard strike, putting the Eagles up, 20-16 early in the period.
Moments later, Hartington-Newcastle answered the Eagle score with one of their own, when Shaye Morten connected with Kobe Heitman on a 27 yard pass. The PAT failed, leaving the Wildcats up 22-20. The game only got more interesting and tense from that point.
On the ensuing Eagle possession, the blue and gold took the ball down the field without throwing a pass to gain the lead back on an Anthony Isom 1 yard run. Isom added the PAT run to put the Eagles up 28-22 with 5:35 remaining.
Hartington-Newcastle methodically maneuvered deep into Eagle territory with just over a minute to go, and scored on a 4 yard pass by Morten to Heitman. The all important PAT was thwarted by the Eagles, allowing the game to reach overtime.
The Eagles won the toss and elected to play defense. A solid first down stop, followed by an incomplete pass on second set up a third and nine. The Wildcats collected a holding penalty, moving the ball back to the 27 yard line and the Eagles stopped both attempts.
Allen converted quickly on their overtime possession, as Anthony Isom ran twice to the left side of the line, puncturing the goal line, and giving the Eagles the win.
Defensively, Brogan Jones led all tacklers with 17, Anthony Isom added 11. Offensively, Lukas Oswald ran for 87 yards and a score, as well as connecting on 6 passes for 66 yards and two scores. Ty Krommenhoek led the receivers with 3 catches for 38 yards and a score, Steven Cooks had a catch for a score as well.
The win raises the Eagles season record to 4-1, 1-1 in district play.
Next action for the Eagles will be Friday, October 11th, at Wausa. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.
COACHES COMMENTS:
“We were out of sorts early, and turnovers put us in a tough situation by halftime. The message was to stay the course, have faith in your teammates, do your job, and make a memory. We adjusted slightly, but mainly stayed within our individual responsibilities. The kids played more physical and with purpose in the second half. I thought our offensive line got after it in the second half, leading us to the win. It was great to see the team rally, have fun, and win a hard fought game. We still need to clean up ball handling, as three turnovers in a game this close, usually means you lose. We will get back to work and be ready for Friday, at Wausa.”