Next play, it's D'Vonte Waller rolling right and Billy Kemp displays excellent concentration and ball skills to make the catch around the 23-yard line of Tuscarora.
Class 5 State Finals: Highland Springs 40, Tuscarora 27 - FINAL
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Next play, it's D'Vonte Waller rolling right and Billy Kemp displays excellent concentration and ball skills to make the catch around the 23-yard line of Tuscarora.
The Highland Springs offensive line is starting to take over in this one now - sophomore LT Evan Robinson (6-1, 270, jersey #52), junior left guard Deandre Owens (6-2, 280, #72), senior center Justin Carey (6-2, 290, #71), sophomore righgt guard Suraid Ware (6-1, 245, #51) and sophomore right tacle D'onte Griggs (6-0, 225, #54).
While the Springers are known for their speed and athleticism, being able to stretch opponents vertically with receivers that can make plays after the catch, their running game has dictated the tempo in this one.
While the Springers are known for their speed and athleticism, being able to stretch opponents vertically with receivers that can make plays after the catch, their running game has dictated the tempo in this one.
The Springers are looking at 2nd & 9 from the Tuscarora 10-yard line as we tick under 8 minutes to play. The Huskies keep them to a minimal game as three white jerseys are in on the stop of sophomor eKalli Bradford, specifically junior Renny Adjei sticking his nose in there.
On 3rd & 7 the pass is deflected and nearly picked off by senior Caleb Donofrio. For most of the day, the Springers have converted third and fourth down opportunities - including a key 4th down on this series. Remember, they were a combined 6 of 10 on those opportunities in the first half in building a 33-point advantage.
On 3rd & 7 the pass is deflected and nearly picked off by senior Caleb Donofrio. For most of the day, the Springers have converted third and fourth down opportunities - including a key 4th down on this series. Remember, they were a combined 6 of 10 on those opportunities in the first half in building a 33-point advantage.
Tuscarora had to get that stop or essentially the game would be over. Nonetheless, they have their work cut out for them, beginning inside their own 3 with Justin Allen getting the shotgun snap in the end zone. They need a big play, an onside kick and something with their defense to have a chance late.
Springers have it 1st & Goal at the Tuscarora 3 with 7:06 remaining. Ready to deliver the knockout punch.
Great tackle on 1st down by Garret Kaplan of the Huskies. Looks like he lost a yar dand we have an injury time-out as senior lineman Tyler Kijak will be checked on.
Tyler Kijak gets up and walks off under his own power, which is good to see. On 2nd & 4, a big hit by Chris Broad, helping jar loose the football. Tuscarora recovers.
A penalty of the 15-yard variety puts Tuscarora at the 48-yard line of Highland Springs.
The Huskies now with a single back, 4-receiver look as they pretty much have to abandon the run, save scrambles from Justin Allen. Speaking of which, he avoids the rush and gets out of bounds for a nifty gain of about 6. Clock stops at 4:51.
Adam Thorne and Caleb Coombs are dangerous enough that they could hit a big play down the field. Highland Springs' defense though is making it awfully difficult for some of those strikes of significant yardage to develop.
Justin Allen gets up limping after he is sacked by Keeron Henderson, the junior d-end with a non-stop motor, assisted by senior LB Alex Shafiq.
That brings up 4th & 9 from the 47-yard line and the pass is incomplete as the Springers stay connected in the secondary.
Highland Springs takes over on down, leading 40-20 with 4:05 remaining in this one.
That brings up 4th & 9 from the 47-yard line and the pass is incomplete as the Springers stay connected in the secondary.
Highland Springs takes over on down, leading 40-20 with 4:05 remaining in this one.
Now into Tuscarora territory and facing a 3rd & 6 from the Huskies 34 with just over 2 minutes to play, Loren Johnson's Springers are doing a good job of mixing the run with short passes. Tuscarora has made better tackles in this half, the latest coming from senior LB Peter Deer.
Problem was the Huskies dug too deep a hole in falling behind 33-0 with just under 4 minutes to play in the first half as the Springers hit them with three touchdown runs and a pair of touchdown passes.
Problem was the Huskies dug too deep a hole in falling behind 33-0 with just under 4 minutes to play in the first half as the Springers hit them with three touchdown runs and a pair of touchdown passes.
4th down pass by D'Vonte Waller is just a hair too far for his intended receiver, who would've scored had he been able to catch up to it... so Tuscarora takes over at their own 36, trailing the Springers 40-20.
Adam Thorne with a gain of nearly 20 yards on the reception from Justin Allen to the 31-yard line of Highland Springs. Clock ticking under a minute to play and hte Huskies are great in hurry-up, late game situations. The outcome is known though here as Highland Springs leads this one by a 40-20 count.
Freshman Caleb Coombs with a terrific tippy-toe catch along the ride sideline, good for 24 yards down to the 7 of Highland Springs with 28 seconds to go. The Huskies are trying to get one more touchdown to make this one look more respectable.
They do get it on a beautiful throw by Justin Allen to senior Kyle Jenkins, finding the end zone in the State Final in his final game wearing the Huskies uniform.
Freshman Caleb Coombs with a terrific tippy-toe catch along the ride sideline, good for 24 yards down to the 7 of Highland Springs with 28 seconds to go. The Huskies are trying to get one more touchdown to make this one look more respectable.
They do get it on a beautiful throw by Justin Allen to senior Kyle Jenkins, finding the end zone in the State Final in his final game wearing the Huskies uniform.
Well, they'll actually run a play instead of taking a knee because Tuscarora still has time-outs, which they burn with 7 seconds to go. The running game and big playmaking of one of their few seniors Billy Kemp in all three phases - offense, defense or special teams - was the difference today.
An incredible job by Loren Johnson, his staff and players. To lose about 22 scholarship level players to College Football and win a third state title in a row is incredible.
More rstats and reaction to come...
