Week 2: 41-42 Double OT Loss
The storyline coming into this game was the high-powered Mahomet-Seymour offense up against a very strong Highland defense. It was a tale of two halves for both teams in this contest. In the first quarter, both offenses were not able to get in rhythm. MS got on the board first in the first quarter with a drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Brock VanDeveer. That drive was started after VanDeveer forced and recovered a fumble and took possession on their own 41-yard line. MS took a 7-0 lead into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, the MS offense turned the ball over on downs on their first drive of the quarter, but the defense held firm and forced a three-and-out on Highland. Deep in their own territory, MS was facing a third and long when Luke Dyer connected with Trey Peters for an 83-yard touchdown to put MS up 13-0. On the next Highland drive, Brock VanDeveer got the ball back for MS with his second turnover of the half, this time an interception, that gave the MS offense the ball in Highland territory. Dyer then found the endzone on a 20-yard scramble, and after a successful Jackson Davis PAT, MS was up 20-0 and took that lead into halftime.
MS seemed to have all the momentum coming out of halftime. In the third quarter, Highland scored early on a 59-yard rushing touchdown to trim the 20-point lead to 13 points. Highland found the endzone once again late in the third quarter and cut the deficit to seven points. MS was unable to score in this quarter but took a 20-14 lead into the final quarter.
MS seemed to get back on track early in the fourth quarter when VanDeveer scored his second touchdown of the night on a 26-yard scamper. After a Jackson Davis successful PAT, MS was on top 27-14. Highland then responded with a touchdown drive of their own that pulled them back with 6 points of MS. A turnover on downs by MS gave the ball back to Highland, who constructed another touchdown drive that gave them their first lead of the night, 28-27. With 2:15 left in regulation, the MS offense could not construct a drive. A sack and false start pinned them deep in Highland territory. On fourth and long, with time ticking away, Dyer threw a deep pass to Peters that fell incomplete. With about a minute left in the game, and MS with only two timeouts remaining, the probability of MS getting the ball back seemed slim. After spending their final two timeouts, Highland was facing a third and four on their own 12-yard line. MS let Highland walk into the endzone to a 35-27 lead. A decision that allowed MS more time to possess the ball on the ensuing kickoff. On the ensuing kickoff, VanDeveer picked up the squib kick and got the ball to around midfield. This left 38 seconds on the clock for the MS offense to find the endzone.
The MS offense has the ability to move the ball down the field quickly and score. The high-powered offense was tamed somewhat on this night. With less than a minute, Luke Dyer’s offense constructed a 53-yard drive that included a big gain on a Gavin Hammerschmidt reception that got MS inside the 10-yard line. The drive ended with a touchdown pass to Trey Peters to pull the Bulldogs to within 2 points. Dyer found Peters once again in the endzone on the two-point conversion to tie the game.
At the end of regulation, the score was tied at 35, and the game was headed to OT. In OT, each team has a chance to possess the ball at the 10-yard line. Highland had the first crack at it. The defense came up big on a fourth down and goal on the 3-yard line. Next, the MS offense had their opportunity to possess the ball. In the first three downs, the MS offense was unable to find the endzone. On fourth down, MS brought out Jackson Davis for the potential game-winning field goal attempt from the 5-yard line. It was blocked, but Highland was offsides and the penalty moved the ball to the 2-yard line. MS decided to pull the field goal unit off the field and go for a touchdown. On that play, Dyer rolled out for what looked like a fade route to Peters in the corner of the end zone, but Dyer got sacked. To the second OT we went.
In the second OT, MS possessed the ball first. MS scored on this possession with a rushing touchdown by Cade Ashby. An unsportsmanlike penalty on Highland after the TD would put the ball inside the two-yard line. MS elected to go for the two-point conversion that was unsuccessful. MS was on top, 41-35. Highland was then able to find the endzone on their possession and, with their successful extra point, won the game for them.
A heartbreaking loss for MS, but they showed a lot of toughness and resolve to never give up no matter the score or how much time was left. A hard-fought and clean game on both sides.
𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞
The MS offense accumulated a total of 391 yards. A pretty balanced approach with 276 yards passing and 115 yards rushing. The offense had 3 penalties on the night.
Luke Dyer ended the night with 276 passing yards (21/39) and nine rushing yards, with two passing TDs, one rushing TD, and one interception. Trey Peters received both of Dyer’s TD passes and ended with 147 yards on seven receptions. Gavin Hammerschmidt ended with 91 yards receiving and seven receptions.
On the ground, Cade Ashby had 67 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Brock VanDeveer had 39 rushing yards with two touchdowns
on 6 carries.
𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞
The MS defense allowed 369 yards and had 4 penalties.
VanDeveer led the defense with 13 tackles. He also had an interception and a forced and recovered fumble.
Ethan Esker tallied 9 tackles
Brayden Garrett tallied 8 tackles
Jayvon Tompkins tallied 7 tackles
Noah Frank tallied 7 tackles with one sack
𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬
Jackson Davis was 3-4 on extra points.
The Bulldogs are 1-1 on the season and return home on Friday when they welcome another stout opponent, Sycamore. It should be another great game, and the boys are looking forward to a packed house at Frank Dutton Field.
Go Bulldogs!
This Week in Bulldog Athletics - Overtime 