Photo by Noah Rodriguez ’17 | Brophy defenders try to wrap up a Hamilton runner Nov. 21. Brophy lost to Hamilton 24-7 in the state semifinals.
Hamilton 24
Brophy 7
By William Joseph Borders IV
THE ROUNDUP
Brophy came in to the state semifinal match against Hamilton Nov. 21 with a nine-game win streak, but that momentum was not enough against the No. 1 seeded Huskies.
Hamilton topped Brophy 24-7 in the game at Chandler High School.
The Broncos started with the ball as Cade Knox ’16 completed two passes for 22 yards.
Noah Pittenger ’17 looked to get the run game going; he ran three times in row gaining 26 yards.
But the Broncos were forced to punt the ball, which Hamilton ran back for 70 yards to the end zone making the score 7-0 with less than 10 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The rest of the quarter was quiet with no scoring.
Within seconds of the second quarter starting, Hamilton intercepted a pass.
However, four plays later Knox retaliated by picking off a Hamilton pass ball.
The Broncos could not capitalize on the turnover and were forced to punt the ball.
The play after, Devin Franklin ’16 caught an interception with 3 minutes to go in the first half.
Knox threw a 22-yard touchdown to wide receiver Isaiah Oliver ’15 on the next play, tying the score up at 7-7.
Hamilton punted the ball and Brophy was faced with one more scoring opportunity as Streator Bates ’15 missed a 43-yard field goal attempt.
Hamilton started with the ball to open up the second half.
Back and forth defense continued until Hamilton threw a touchdown with 6 minutes to go in the third quarter.
The next drive by the Broncos ended with another interception.
Two minutes later Hamilton found themselves in the end zone again after running for 28 yards.
The third quarter ended with Hamilton on top 21-7.
Jack Haddon ’15 responded with making three tackles in a row early in the fourth quarter, forcing Hamilton to punt. But for the majority of the fourth quarter neither side scored or even got first downs.
With less than three minutes remaining, Hamilton kicked the dagger field goal bringing the score to 24-7.
“We weren’t able to run the ball effectively, and we made too many little mistakes offensively that cost us,” said head coach Mr. Scooter Molander.
“I’m really proud of our guys, they fought and had a great season, and nobody had our guys going to the semis with a 1-3 start. Very proud of our program and where we’ve come and I’m proud of our staff, it was a good year,” Mr. Molander said.
