Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Forward thinking • (l-r): Alec Schindler and Mathias Wagner keep their focus on downfield action as Wagner sets up a block to create a running lane during the first-round football playoff game, Thursday, in Eustis. Summerland defeated Hi-Line, 52-46, in overtime.
Gavin Whiting recovered a Hi-Line fumble, in overtime, to secure Summerland's 52-46 win over the Bulls, Thursday, in the opening round of Class D1 state football playoffs.
Leading up to the moment, the game, played in Eustis, resembled a foot race between Hi-Line's senior quarterback Ryker Evans and Summerland's rushing corps, which ended the game with five players hitting double digits.
"Last Thursday, our guys showed great resilience in the second half," said Bobcat coach Tom Thramer.
He said the team capitalized on turnovers, giving the Bobcats extra possessions.
Hi-Line scored first in the contest, but a Michael Koenig to Alec Schindler pass and successful point-after attempt tied the game, 8-8, with 1:41 left in the first quarter.
Hi-Line responded to the Bobcat's roar and then intercepted a Koenig pass for a quick six to lead 20-8 as the first quarter ended.
Halfway through the second quarter, the Bulls increased the lead to 26-8. Summerland drove down field and, with 1:20 remaining in the first half, Mathias Wagner powered his way in for a score.
The race was on, as Evans raced down the sideline to give Hi-Line a 32-14 advantage.
With 17.9 seconds left in the half, the Bobcats landed in the end zone, only to have the call negated due to an illegal formation penalty.
Michael Koenig led the Bobcats to the goal line and completed the PAT to narrow Hi-Line's lead to 32-22.
And, just like that, Evans scored again, increasing the margin to 38-22, with 5:44 left in the third quarter.
Alec Schindler responded with a touchdown and Koenig walked in the PAT, with 3:15 in the third, and once again, Hi-Line took the ball in to go up 46-30.
Summerland's offense didn't get distracted and marched downfield to narrow the gap. Then, with 5:19 left in the game, Schindler threw a cross-field pass to Koenig, who tossed the ball to Sam Cheatum, knotting the game at 46 all.
The Bobcat defense held the Bulls and, with 15.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Cheatum drifted out of bounds as he reeled in Koenig's pass, sending the contest to overtime.
The Bobcats got their hands on the ball first, as Alec Schindler crossed the goal line on a short scamper. An errant snap on the PAT led to an unsuccessful attempt but gave the Bobcats its first lead of the game, 52-46.
Hi-Line took their turn but fumbled the ball as Whiting recovered it, preserving the Bobcat win.
"I want to give a big shout out to our offensive and defensive lines (Logan Kester, Whiting, Garrett Napier and AJ Hobbs) as they usually don't get enough credit but they played their butts off Thursday," Thramer said.
The win advances Summerland to the second round. They travel to Stanton, Oct. 27, for a 7 p.m. kickoff against the top-ranked Mustangs.
Thramer said Stanton is a very, very good team.
"They have a very good run game with two of their backs over 1,000 yards on the season and their quarterback has thrown for over a 1,000 as well," Thramer said. "We are going to have to play good, clean football to give ourselves a chance in the game. However, playoffs is a new season and each week you start 0-0 and just have to scratch and claw to go 1-0 this week."
Against Hi-Line, Koenig went 11 of 19 for 11 yards. Schindler carried the ball 23 times for 105 yards. Cheatum caught three passes for 51 yards.
Logan Kester led the team defensively with 10 tackles. Whiting recorded four solo takedowns and three tackles for loss.
Hobbs found his way into the backfield twice, sacking the Bulls' quarterback.
Schindler, Whiting and Ethan Kester each recovered a fumble.
Statistics v Hi-Line:
Passing: Schindler: 0/1 for 0 yds; Koenig: 11/19 for 11 yds; Cheatum: 0/1 for 0 yds
Rushing: Schindler 23/105 yds; Koenig: 15/69 yds; Cheatum: 6/59 yds; E. Kester: 5/21 yds; Mathias Wagner: 7/30 yds
Receiving: Schindler: 6/45 yds; Cheatum: 3/51 yds; Preston Hoke: 2/15 yds
Tackles: Schindler: 9; Koenig: 8; Cheatum: 7; L. Kester: 10; Ruger Switzer: 2; Connor Thomson: 2; E. Kester: 9; Hobbs: 6; Wagner: 3; Napier: 2; Whiting: 6
Tackles for loss: Koenig: 2; Cheatum: 3; E. Kester: 2; Hobbs: 2; Whiting: 3
Sacks: Hobbs: 2
Fumble recoveries: Schindler: 1; E. Kester: 1; Whiting: 1
Kickoffs: Switzer: 4/100 yds
Kickoff returns: Schindler: 2/65 yds; Thomson: 1/5 yds; E. Kester: 1/10 yds; Hoke: 1/15 yds
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