Friday, October 25th, 2024
Friday night’s 2AII-District 1 slugfest between the Luther Lions and the Hennessey Eagles was, at times, one of the worst and greatest high school football game those lucky enough to be in attendance had the pleasure of experiencing.
The worst, with 22 accepted penalties, 7 total turnovers, and 11 punts between the two teams. The best, with 5 lead changes, including 2 pick-6’s, a game-winning field goal, and for the Hennessey Eagles – victory! Hennessey 22 – Luther 20.
With neither team scoring in the 1st quarter, Junior Placekicker Luis Montoya got the Eagles on the board first with a 38 Field Goal into the north wind.
After the Eagles shut the Lions out in the first half (the second time in as many weeks the Hennessey Defense has not allowed a first half score), QB Gunnar Holder extended the lead in the 3rd quarter with a 1 yard dive and a 2-pt conversion run. 11-0 Hennessey.
Luther got their first score late in the 3rd on a 49-yard run by Colt McCaslin, but Jessin Hardin’s solo tackle on the conversion attempt kept the damage to a minimum, with the Eagles holding on to an 11-6 lead going into the final frame.
And then…, the 4th. The quarter’s first lead change happened on a 28-yard interception return by the Lion’s McCaslin (one of four INT’s thrown by Holder on the night). Yet, once again, the Eagles D stood tall, with Braedyn Richardson and Titan Root stopping the conversion attempt short of the goal line. Lions now lead 12-11.
After both teams traded punts and Hennessey turned the ball over in their own territory, the Lions took possession with a short field, seemingly ready to ice the game with another score.
Then, the Eagles FIRST play of the game occurred. After getting knocked to the ground by a pulling offensive tackle, Senior DE Hunter Weber got to his feet just in time to step into the passing lane on a RB screen, snatching the pass and returning it 55 yards for his first career interception return for touchdown. After Jakob Johns made the 2-pt conversion reception, the Eagles retook the lead 19-12, but with lots of football still to play.
Following a flagrant face mask on a long kickoff return, the Lions proceeded to march the field in six plays, retaking the lead 20-19 on a 3-yard run and a 2-pt conversion run with 1:55 to play in the game.
With their backs against the wall, into an autumn wind, with 62 yards to go, on their opponent’s Senior night, the Eagles put together the drive of the season, exhibiting their growth, maturity, and tenacity that this coaching staff has instilled in them. Despite throwing 4 interceptions previously in the game, with only 10 completions for 69 yards to this point, Senior QB Gunnar Holder put his team on his shoulders and led the Eagles on a 9-play game-winning drive, going 6 for 7 for 57 yards passing, converting 3 first downs – one of which was the Eagles SECOND play of the game.
On 4th down and 7 on the Luther 45 yard line, inside :30 to play, Holder hit fellow Senior Kevin Trillo on a 31-yard seam route, bringing in the fingertip catch at the Lion 14. Following an 8-yard throw to Richardson, Holder then ran for 2 more yards, setting up Luis Montoya in the middle of the field for a 21-yard field goal try.
Having had 3 PAT’s blocked just one week prior at Kellyville, Montoya spent the week shortening his approach and quickening his stride. That work paid off, when Luis’ game-winning field goal split the uprights giving the Eagles the come-from-behind District win – 22-20.
With the victory, the Eagles move to 5-3 overall on the season, 4-1 in District play, sitting in 3rd place behind Alva (4-1) and Stroud (5-0). The Eagles need at least one more win or a Luther loss in the next two games to secure a playoff spot. Hennessey can do just that this Friday night as we host the undefeated District leader Stroud Tigers. Kickoff on Friday, 7 pm, at Eagle Stadium.
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