It was nice to be back to the confines and comfort of the Highlanders
home field. The familiar voice of announcer Wayne Conti, the Highlander
marching band, and the famed brown and gold jerseys. However, this game
would be far from familiar or comforting.
The Highlanders received the opening kick-off with Josh Renel nearly
breaking one as he was finally tackled at the 44 yard line. QB, Jake Wilson
rolled out to the right and looked to connect with junior receiver, Braden
Connor. Wilson’s pass was incomplete. Senior FB, Cory Hamilton picked up 6
yards on 2nd down and then reeled –off a big 16 yard gain a 1st down. On the
next snap, the hand –off to the FB was fumbled and recovered by the Hawks.
The Hawks 1st possession started at the 32 yard line. On 1st down, junior LB
Aaron McNamara stopped the hawks RB for no gain. After a short gain on 2nd
down, junior DE, Greg Ornazian made a nice play to stop the off-tackle run
to force Troy Athens to punt from the 39 yard line.
After having trouble fielding the punt, Josh Renel picked
up the ball and zigzagged his way along the sideline for an exciting 48 yard
return. The Highlanders second possession of the game featured senior QB
Jake Wilson who showed good leadership and execution as he ran a series of
QB options and keepers to get the ball down to the 7 yard line. On 1st down,
Renel took the jet sweep around the left corner. Following an outstanding
block by sophomore receiver,
Cody Wilson, Renel cruised into the end zone for the first Highlander score.
Junior place kicker, Tom Casey added the extra-point kick. Highlanders 7
Troy Athens 0
With 5:58 left in the 1st quarter, sophomore LB Andrew Johnson exploded on
the Hawk kick- returned to drop him at the 19 yard line. The Hawks 2nd
possession of the game showcased a number of Highlander defensive players.
Senior safety, Mark Hammett made a solid tackle ending a sweep after a short
gain. CB Renel broke up a deep pass attempt while junior’s Heinrich and Polk
teamed up to stop a running play for no gain.
The 2nd Highlander possession included two costly penalties against the Hawks; pass interference followed by an unsportsmanlike like conduct against the Athens sideline. With the ball spotted at the 14 yard line, a pair of hard fought running plays by FB, Cory Hamilton moved the ball down to the 1 yard line. After an untimely illegal motion penalty against the Highlanders moved the ball back to 6 yard line, QB Wilson blasted his way down to the 3 yard line. On 3rd down, Wilson was sacked for a 5 yard loss. This set up the first filed goal attempt of the season. Junior place kicker, Tom Casey booted through uprights for an 18 yard field goal. Highlanders 10- Troy Athens 0.
Athens next possession of the contest started at the 49 yard line. The Hawks moved the ball swiftly thanks to a 30 yard run through the middle of the Highlander defense. Senior safety, Mark Hammett made 2 touchdown saving tackles on this drive. With the ball spotted on the 4 yard line, a Hawk RB crossed the goal line for their first score of the game. A bad snap foiled the extra point attempt.
With the ball spotted at the 20 yard line, the Highlander offense went to work. The passing game came to life with a pass to SB Renel (good for 14 yards) and a fantastic catch by receiver Cody Wilson. The Wilson to Wilson combination continued when C. Wilson caught a slant pass and took it to the 17 yard line. QB Jake Wilson then threw a beauty of a touch pass into the back of the end zone that C. Wilson made another great catch for the sophomore’s first varsity touchdown. The firm of Wilson and Wilson was forged. Tom Casey added the extra point.
Highlanders 17 Troy Athens 6
With 1:16 left in the 1st half, the Highlander defense shut the Hawk offense down with a solid effort by LB Petrusha and DE Jake Heinrich.
With the ball spotted at the 46 yard line and facing 3rd and 9, the form of Wilson and Wilson rose to the occasion. This time it was a beauty of a pass good for 40 yards and a Highlander touchdown.
After a penalty for illegal
motion, Tom Casey hit the extra point kick from the 15 yard line.
Highlanders 24 Troy Athens 6
This next Highlander possession led to another field goal by Casey. This time it was good from 37 yards out. The field goal was possible only after outstanding blocking on the offensive line and FB Hamilton’s 45 yard run.
Highlanders 27 Troy Athens 6
This next Hawk possession was frustrating as the defense allowed a big play after forcing a 3rd and 3 situation. The Hawk QB hit a receiver who was wide open up the middle of the field.
After a sweep around the left end was good for 7 yards, The Hawk RB Ran the ball into the end zone and the 2nd Hawks touchdown of the game. Their extra point kick was “good”.
Highlanders 27 Troy Athens 13
The Highlanders took over from the 17 yard line and the beginning of what would be a bizarre 4th quarter of football began. Another outstanding catch by Cody Wilson moved the ball down to the 37 yard line. QB, J. Wilson spun out of a tackle and scampered 35 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point kick was “good”.
Highlanders 34 Troy Athens13
Highlanders 34 Troy Athens 20
With 7:37 showing on the clock, another onside kick by the Hawks was covered by Dan Muncie at the 46 yard line. After a series of running plays by the Highlander offense that didn’t pick up a 1st down, the Highlanders had to punt. The Hawks had trouble handling the ball and junior Aaron Gesquire jumped on the loose ball.
The next possession for the Highlander offense resulted in 2 fumbles on 1st and 2nd down. After an incomplete pass on 4th and 19, the offense turned the ball over on downs with 4:02 left in the game.
The Hawks had the ball at the 27 yard line. On 1st and 2nd down, the Hawks passes were broken up by CB Renel. They completed a pass on 3rd down and now had the ball on the 36 yard line. Jake Heinrich again sacked the QB for a huge loss of 10 yards. A pass complete to the 24 yard line with 2:11 left made the Highlander fans sit at the end of their seats. Facing a 3rd and 15 with 2:00 left, the Hawks scored a touchdown and added the extra point. Remember, this team won in overtime last week.
Highlanders 34 Troy Athens 27
It felt like time stood still. After an off sides penalty on Troy that moved the ball to the 9 yard line, the Hawks offense scored. The Hawks went for the extra point attempt to tie the game. Somehow, CB Josh Renel dove and blocked the kick. The Highlander players and Fans went wild.
Highlanders 34 Troy Athens 33
The clock showed 21 seconds left to play. Everyone knew the Hawks would try for another (their 4th) onside kick. What we didn’t know was that they would kick the ball to the left where we didn’t have anyone close. The clock showed .20 seconds left when the Hawks recovered the ball near their sideline.
You could almost hear the hearts of the Highlander fans sink. After running a play that got the ball down to the 28 yard line, the Hawks field goal unit lined up with now .09 seconds showing on the clock. Needless to say if they make the field goal they win the game. It would be a 44 yard attempt. As the ball was snapped, two Highlander defenders, Captain LB, Alex McClelland and junior CB/ RB Josh Renel were both coming from opposite directions, dove to block the kick. They collided helmet to helmet.
The Kick was short and to the right-“no good”. The ball was turned over on
downs to the Highlanders. McClelland and Renel Remained down on the field.
Renel was eventually helped off the field and onto the bench. McClelland was
attended to by the training staff and was taken off the field on a stretcher
and off to the hospital for treatment. The hush from the many concerned
Highlander fans, parents, siblings, etc. was eerie. Certainly not the way to
celebrate the first win of the season.
I’m happy to report that both players were not seriously hurt. They will
live to play another day, another game for the Highlanders. Thank you to all
of you that expressed their concern and said prayers for these young men.
Congratulations to the coaching staff and players on this victory.
Now it’s time to sleigh the Dragons!
Dan R.
