6A
Snider at Homestead
Final Score: 28-10 Homestead
We knew this would be a sneaky-tough game for Homestead. We knew it would take more than just a couple early deep balls like last time for them to beat Snider. What we didn’t know was that Snider would take the opening kickoff all the way in for a touchdown and that RB Braeden Hardwick would leave the game with an injury on the Spartans’ first possession. The ball was back in Snider’s hands, mostly RB Tyrese Brown’s hands, as the Panthers drove down the field looking to build an early two touchdown lead as the underdog.
If you’re a championship-caliber team, this is where you have to make a play. Homestead did, keeping Snider out of the end zone with the ball inside the 5 yard line, forcing a field goal instead. Looking back, this was the turning point of the game. Homestead wouldn’t allow Snider to get another touchdown and didn’t allow them back in the red zone.
With their defense able to fend off a strong effort on the ground from the Panthers, the offense got to work. They scored 28 unanswered, with 21 points coming in the second half as they took the lead and never looked back.
“We faced adversity,” Coach Zolman said. “Maturity throughout the year has been impressive.”
The Spartans have been a second half team all year. In games against Dwenger, Carroll, and last night against Snider, Homestead was either trailing or winning a very tight game. They’ve managed to win all those games.
Much of it has been due to the progression of Evan Ormsby at quarterback. Last night, he truly looked like a senior quarterback. He never looked flustered or anxious while they were trailing. He stayed calm and delivered. His completion percentage was 75%, on 24 throws. That’s a great number to go along with 239 yards and 3 touchdowns, all of it coming after he knew that he’d need to make plays with his running back hurt.
This win gives the Spartans a chance to play for back-to-back sectionals, something that Zolman and the rest of the team is more than ready for.
“We’re thrilled,” Zolman said. “It’s an honor and these kids have worked hard to get to this point. I’m just pleased for these kids to get that shot.”
Homestead will host Warsaw next week.
Carroll at Warsaw
Final Score: 42-35 Warsaw
For a team that had so much hype surrounding it early in the year and everything that was said about this offense, this loss has to be a tremendous disappointment for the Chargers. Allowing six touchdowns to a team that runs the triple option is simply unacceptable. Warsaw threw one pass all night, with three players rushing for over 100 yards last night. Becker and the Chargers offense couldn’t keep up, and turnovers were a killer. Carroll committed 4, Warsaw only had 1 fumble. Regardless, Jeff Becker played well, with 250 yards and 4 total touchdowns, along with a 66.7 completion percentage. WR Mason Englert also had over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. Englert will finish his career with 81 receptions, 1,612 yards, and 18 touchdowns. Hunter Mertz, who did not play in this game, will end his Charger career with 241 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing, along with 172 tackles and 12 TFL. This first round exit will leave Carroll’s record at 7-3 on the season.
5A
Northrop at North Side
Final Score: 42-21 North Side
This game went much better for North Side than their first one with Northrop. Duce Taylor completed 13 of his 21 passes for 208 yards and 2 touchdowns. WR Rodney Woods hauled in both of them and led the team with 5 receptions for 84 yards. The main storyline from this game though is that Jasuan Lambert broke the single game rushing record at North Side, passing Alex Holliday-Robinson’s record with 360 yards, 3 touchdowns, and over 10 yards per carry. This win gives Legends’ fans exactly what they wanted: a rematch with Dwenger. We’ll see if they can pull off the upset this next week at Shields Field. Also in this game, Northrop RB Damarius Cowen had 126 yards and a touchdown in his final game as a Bruin. Hats off to Cowen, who’s career total will be 2,317 yards, 6 yards per carry, and 18 touchdowns.
Anderson at Bishop Dwenger
Final Score: 42-6 Dwenger
Anderson wasn’t exactly a challenge for the Saints, but it was still a great game for Dwenger. Brenden Lytle finished with 168 yards and 4 touchdowns, matching his single-game record for touchdown passes that he’d set earlier in the year. The Saints rushed for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns to put the Indians away. It wasn’t the most mistake-free game they could have played, with 3 turnovers, but they’ll still advance to play a pesky North Side team again.
4A
Wayne at Delta
Final Score: 49-18 Delta
Wayne scored all 18 of their points in the second quarter and made this a game at halftime. Unfortunately, Delta was just too much for the Generals and ran away with this one in the second half. RB Shawn Collins netted 158 yards and 2 touchdowns with a great average of 9.9 yards per carry. Ebon Person and Arthur Mhoon were Wayne’s tackles leaders on defense, the two combining for 35 tackles, a sack, and 2.5 tackles for loss. Wayne ends the year with a 2-9 record.
South Side at Marion
Final Score: 33-14 Marion
The Archers, much like Wayne, hung around for a while but couldn’t keep Marion from piling on points late. RB Khalid Stamps ran wild on South Side’s defense, while the Archers had trouble getting anything going on offense. The Archers used both their quarterbacks and spread the ball around, but it worked to no avail. South Side finishes their season 2-9.
3A
Concordia at Oak Hill
Final Score: 24-0 Concordia
Concordia has rode their defense all the way to sectionals and they aren’t stopping now. Yet another shutout for the Cadet defense gives Concordia the win. QB Brandon Davis had a tough game, 90 yards and 2 interceptions, but RB Amir Drew was able to keep the offense afloat with 248 yards and 2 touchdowns. Concordia moves on to face Norwell next week.
2A
Bishop Luers at Fairfield
Final Score: 49-12 Luers
The Knights are tearing through 2A competition, leaving nothing to chance in their thrashing of the Falcons. QB Carson Clark nearly threw an immaculate game, a 15 of 16 night with 273 yards and 3 touchdowns. WR Brody Glenn hauled in all 3 of those passes for 5 receptions in total and 153 yards receiving. Luers will face 10-1 Eastside for a sectional championship.
