Photos by David Dennis
BY VINCENT PEREZ
Nerves did not get the best of first-year head coach Michael Stewart and his BHS Drillers.
Despite an atypical scoreless first half and numerous penalties, the Drillers came out on top against the Centennial Golden Hawks 10-3 on Friday, Oct. 25 at Griffith Field.
The Drillers (5-4, 3-1 SEYL) should thank Centennial quarterback Max Richey. He was on the Drillers’ doorstep, down 10-0, with seven minutes left in the fourth when he coughed up a potential game-altering touchdown at the 1-yard line after a hard hit. The sigh of relief could be felt around Griffith after cheers.
The uneasy feeling that the Golden Hawks (3-6, 0-4) could steal a win was the anxiety setting in at halftime for the Drillers, clutching onto a 3-0 lead.
Yet, the Drillers found the endzone finally, early in the fourth, to put the worries to rest. Wesley Wilson scored a vital touchdown, on a six-play drive from BHS, extending the lead 10-0.
“It felt good scoring, but knowing we made so many mistakes, it’s hard for me to get over it,” said Wilson post-game.
Wilson ran the ball thirteen times on 89 yards, caught two receptions and scored the only touchdown of the game, which gave the Drillers more confidence, but the reality was that mistakes were made.
“I don’t feel we played our best,” said Wilson. He mentioned that he and his teammates came out slow to start the game. “A lot of mistakes and penalties; A lot of mental errors really.”
The Drillers committed eight penalties costing 71 yards. The Hawks lost 60 yards on five plays in comparison.
The Hawks thought they lucked out, tied 0-0 and one minute prior to halftime. That momentum swung in the Drillers’ favor when DJ Adams, 21 seconds left in the half, returned a punt from Centennial red zone territory to twenty yards out from the endzone with the clock winding down.
After a look at the clock, Stewart sent the Drillers’ kicker, Ryan Bonner up, to put BHS up 3-0, with one second to spare in the half, and Bonner delivered a crucial 28-yard field goal, right down the middle. The win meant more than a victory, something for the seniors to hang onto.
Stewart, a BHS alumnus, sees senior night as bittersweet.
“It’s always a good thing for them, a sad thing for us. [On senior night], it’s coming to an end, but it’s still a big start for them for life in general,” said Stewart. As far as Liberty and playoffs go, Stewart had one thing to say.
“We have a lot of football left to play,” said the former LA Rams and Miami Dolphins player.
Wide receiver Elijah Lee was proud of the way his teammates showed up in the second half.
“After halftime, everyone picked up the pace,” said Lee.
Lee learned that the Drillers have resiliency. He wants himself and his teammates to
come out strong each play, starting off with the first play, he said.
The special teams’ punt returner AJ Adams and Bonner gave the Drillers the boost that they needed. Lee was grateful for the special teams of BHS that persevered.
“That’s a big part of our team that we practice, so that came through,” said Lee.
The Drillers face Liberty on the road next Friday in the final regular season game. The Golden Hawks look to recuperate away at Frontier.
