Broncos Win Thriller Over Grape Creek
By Ray Glasscock
“I have never been so scared. I hope I never have to do that again,” said Dustin Neff after he kicked a 27-yard field goal to win the game against the Grape Creek Eagles. His kick finished the game winning drive that started on the Bronco 27 yard-line with 5:27 left in the game. Trailing 13 to 14, the Broncos converted two big three down plays. Ethan Morriss completed a 31-yard pass to Cadesman Pope who used his height to catch the pass over a Grape Creek defender. The next third down pass went to Word Hudson for a 13-yard gain and a first down at the Eagle 19 yard-line. Two Morriss scrambles moved the ball to the Eagle 12 yard-line. Facing fourth down, the Broncos called timeout and decided to put the game in the hands of three Broncos: center Collyer Dermody, holder Caleb Gonzales, and kicker Neff. It is not uncommon for coaches to take the blame for their team’s loss, but this time the Eagle coach can tell people that he cost them the game and it would be the truth. On the first snap to Neff, it appeared the Gonzales was not going to be able to set the ball on the tee in time for Neff to kick it. But the Eagle coach called timeout in order to “ice” the kicker. After his gamble, the next snap, hold, and kick won the game for the Broncos.
The Broncos started the game receiving the opening kickoff. Zach Badeaux almost took the kickoff for a touchdown. The initial Bronco drive looked like they were going to be able to score on their first possession. However, a hard hit caused Neff to fumble the ball to the Eagles. This was the first of many turnovers by both teams.
The first Eagle drive ended on an interception by Kris Aguero.
The Broncos scored their first touchdown on their fourth drive of the game. Will Anderson gained ten yards on a tough run to the right. Then the Eagles were penalized fifteen yards for roughing the passer. Since the Eagles were tough to run against all night, Morriss rolled to his right and threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Pope. Neff kicked the PAT and the Broncos led 7 to 0 with 8:57 left in the second quarter.
On the next Eagle drive, Neff sacked the Eagle quarterback for a large loss. The Broncos had quickly stopped the Eagles and had good field position. Unfortunately, Morriss fumbled the snap from center, and the Eagles took over.
This time, the Eagles responded with a three play scoring drive when Eagle running back Gauwin ran for a 31-yard touchdown. Their PAT kick was not good, and the Broncos maintained a 7 to 6 lead with 4:21 left the first half.
The first score in the second half occurred on the Eagles‘ eighth drive of the game. The Broncos had just finished a 16-play drive that ended at the Eagle 12 yard line on downs. Eagle quarterback Rathmell accounted for 80 yards on a run from the Broncos 10 to the Eagles 10. Gauwin put the Eagles on top with a nine yard run. To make up for the previous missed PAT, Rathmell passed to Yount for the two point conversion giving the Eagles a 14 to 7 lead with 1:01 left in the third quarter.
The Broncos responded with a scoring drive that featured a 42-yard catch and run by Neff that gave the Broncos a first and goal at the three yard-line. Morriss got the touchdown as the Bronco offensive line just moved the entire Eagle defensive line into the end zone. The Broncos tried a two-point conversion, but the pass from Morriss to Tyler Creek was incomplete. Now the Broncos trailed by one point with 7:15 left in the game.
The Eagles tried to put the game out of reach, but the Bronco defense stopped the drive when Badeaux knocked down a fourth down pass near the end zone.
After Neff’s field goal, the Eagles had one more chance. It ended when Hudson intercepted allowing Morriss to run out the clock.
The Broncos ran 58 plays. They ran the ball 36 times for 149 yards and passed 22 times for 182 yards for a total of 331 yards of offense. They had 18 first downs and had the ball for 33:34. The Eagles had 33 plays. They gained 221 yards on 23 rushing plays and 56 yards on 10 passing plays. They had 9 first downs.
Morriss carried 18 times for 66 yards and Anderson had 62 yards on 12 carries.
Morriss completed 15 of 25 passes for 182 yards on one touchdown.
Receiving stats are as follows:
Hudson caught one pass for 13 yards
Creek caught three passes for 21 yards
Neff caught 4 for 80 yards
Anderson caught 5 for 39 yards
Pope caught 2 for 34 yards.
The Broncos have this week off and start district play at home against the Reagan County Owls on 9 October. The Owls are 1 and 4 for the season.