Posted: Friday, October 30, 2015 11:40 pm |
Updated: 11:49 pm, Fri Oct 30, 2015.
Warriors go to 9-0 on OT TD
BOONSBORO — For most of Friday night, Northern Garrett handled Boonsboro.
When the chips were down, the Warriors came from behind and continued their unbeaten season with a thrilling 20-14 victory in overtime against a strong Huskies squad. With the win, Boonsboro (9-0) remains in solid contention for the Maryland Class 1A West playoffs. But there’s one game week to go, next Friday at Smithsburg.
The Huskies (5-4) were first to line up on offense in overtime, starting at the Warriors’ 10-yard line. After two runs netted nothing, Huskies quarterback Logan Yommer lofted a pass into the end zone that was intercepted by Boonsboro’s Jack Krasny.
With the Warriors now in possession at the Huskies 10, Devin Griffith rolled right for a 4-yard gain. After a 1-yard pickup by Zach Grams, Anders called for the “heavy” package.
That meant Griffith was handing off to Chance Thomas, who followed a pair of blocks off left tackle for the game-winning score to keep the Warriors unbeaten.
“That’s what we call our heavy package with the big blockers out ahead of (Thomas),” said Anders.
The Warriors would not have been in position to tie the game in the fourth quarter had it not been for a gut-check answer.
After Devin Griffith threw an interception, Northern elected to go for a first down on fourth-and-1 from the Boonsboro 43. But the snap was mishandled, Boonsboro got the ball at the 45 and had plenty of time to mount an attack.
A 19-yard run by Krasny and a 14-yard pass from Griffith to Alex Wetzel helped the Warriors get to the Huskies 6. With 6:20 to play, Grams punched it in from the 1, with the only question left — would Boonsboro go for one or two?
Anders elected to go for the tie, and Jarrett Rickerds kicked the PAT.
“You have a kicker like him and you are at home, you go for one,” said Anders.
Northern controlled most of the first quarter until making a mistake, muffing a handoff which Boonsboro recovered, taking over at the Huskies’ 34.
With a Northen penalty helping the drive, Boonsboro took a 7-0 lead when Griffith found Owen Glass for an 11-yard scoring hookup, with Rickerds adding the kick.
“Our first two possessions, we really didn’t do much on offense,” said Anders. “That was a big play that set us up on a short field and we got some momentum.”
After an exchange of possessions, Northern kept a drive alive that stretched into the second quarter when halfback Brady Bittinger hit Durst for a 13-yard catch. With 9:07 to play in the first half, Northern got on the board when Durst scored from the 4.
Northern looked destined for another score, driving from its 14 to the Boonsboro 19 as the interior line continued to handle the Warriors.
However, a big defensive effort by the Warriors shut down Northern on downs.
Northern took a 14-7 lead midway through the third quarter, again in control of the game and clock, going 77 yards with Aaron Rodeheaver punching it in from the 1 for a 14-7 lead, setting up the Boonsboro comeback.
Due to the Northern defense, Boonsboro uncharacteristically gained only 132 yards rushing and 49 in the air. Griffith was 6 of 18 with two interceptions. Alex Wetzel had three of the receptions.
Northern picked up 223 yards on the ground, with Rodeheaver rushing 28 times for 120 yards.
“(Northern) came here with a purpose tonight,” said Anders. “They handled the line of scrimmage and were in control. We hadn’t been tested for awhile, so this was good for us.”
Tim Koelble is a sports reporter for The Herald-Mail. He can be reached via email at
tkoelble@herald-mail.com
