By Tyler Scott ’12
The Roundup
A blocked kick and a successful Brophy extra point attempt were the deciding factors in the Bronco’s nail-biter win Sept. 26.
Brophy beat the Chandler Wolves 27-26 in overtime Friday night in the Bronco’s Homecoming Game at Phoenix College Stadium.
A pivotal fourth quarter is what sent this game down to the wire. At the beginning of the fourth quarter the score was 14-13 Chandler.
Brophy drove all the way down the field to the Chandler 23, but running back Max Leonesio ’10 fumbled the ball inside the 10 yard line for the second time in the game and senior defensive lineman Ammon Samia of Chandler recovered it, giving the ball back to the Wolves.
Chandler quarterback Brett Hundley finished the drive with a 24-yard touchdown run to put the Wolves up 20-13. However, a botched extra point kept Brophy’s hopes alive. With 5:05 remaining in the fourth, Brophy awaited the kickoff.
Starting their drive at their own 10 yard line because of a holding call, the Broncos drove to the 41 yard line with a big boost from a 30-yard Chase Knox ’12 pass to senior wide receiver Scott Robson ’10. But a turnover on downs killed the drive.
However, Hundley fumbled with 2:05 left in the fourth, giving the Broncos another chance to score.
On a crucial third and four, Knox connected with senior wide receiver Peter Kelly ’10 for an 11 yard gain. Three plays later it was senior receiver Max Eller ’10 that came up big.
On fourth and seven Knox threw a desperation pass to Eller, who made an over the shoulder catch in the corner of the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown with 51 seconds left. An Alex Garoutte ’10 extra point tied the game at 20 and sent the game into overtime after the Wolves ran down to clock.
In high school overtime, each team starts at the 10 yard line and has four downs to score. The other team then has another four downs to score.
Brophy won the toss and elected to give the ball to Chandler first.
Chandler scored in two plays with an eight-yard rush by Hundley, but Brophy’s defense blocked the extra point attempt.
The Broncos scored with a three-yard touchdown run by Leonesio on third down. Garoutte’s extra point sealed the Bronco homecoming win 27-26.
“Fortunately we practice that overtime sequence every week, and you never know when you’re going to need it,” said coach Mr. Scooter Molander.
Defensive Coordinator Mr. Gary Galante said the defense made an adjustment at half time to counter Chandler’s scoring success.
“We thought they would want to put the ball in the quarterback’s hands to win the game and they did,” he said.
Leonesio finished with 125 yards rushing and the game winning touchdown. Knox went 13-24 with 189 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Robson caught five passes for 89 yards and a touchdown and Eller caught three passes for 58 yards and the game-tying touchdown pass to send the game into overtime.