Final
Two hugely entertaining games this afternoon.
Morris 39 SHG 36
SHG led 9-0 early and it likely could've been 14-0 but for a quick whistle on a play ruled a safety that easily could have been called a fumble recovery for a TD. All the early momentum was with SHG. The Morris kicker was a huge asset to his team today. SHG should've had great field position after the post-safety free kick. However, the Morris kicker boomed it past the SHG returners and after tacking on a holding penalty, SHG started at their own ten-yard line. They then went three and out. SHG only had one chance to return a kickoff in the game, whereas Morris had several good returns. Morris rallied to take the lead at half 17-16 on a last second FG.
The lead changed hands multiple times in the 2nd half. At times, it appeared that SHG was going to pull off the upset. QB Levi Hanauer was outstanding, throwing for three TD's and running for 2. SHG did not turn the ball over. Morris lost two fumbles and had an interception. The main RB for Morris gutted out the second half with either an arm or shoulder injury. He scored with a little more than a minute left. The Morris QB made some really nice throws in third and fourth down situations. SHG missed a long FG on the game's final play. A sack the play before the attempt moved them back about 5 yards and it hurt. A very tough loss for SHG. I'm sure Morris is thrilled to have escaped with the win. One observation about Morris. They are not nearly as big on the Offensive Line and on their defense as the team which battled the Rockets for the 2017 4A title. That could hurt them going forward in 5A.
Chatham 52 Richards 51 (Overtime)
So, coming back from the SHG game, the Chatham-Richards game was early in the 4th quarter. Richards led 31-28. Chatham couldn't stop Richards from getting big plays running and on special teams. Richards couldn't stop the Titans passing attack. Another huge game from QB Colton Knoedler and multiple Titan receivers. Just on the ride to dinner, the lead changed three more times, with Chatham going ahead 42-38 with about a minute left in regulation on a Knoedler short TD run.
What happened after that will have to wait for the 1450 highlights. All I can think of is that Richards could've returned the kickoff for a TD, but then the Titans were able to kick a FG to send it to OT? However, that's just a guess. A gutty road win for Chatham and they will be rewarded with a home game in the Quarterfinals. However, they will face a very tough opponent in Washington who shutout Crete Monee today 21-0. Still, Coach Hay has to be thrilled to get another week of work with his young team.