OHara 34 Smithville 35 Overtime

SMITHVILLE OUTLASTS O’HARA IN OVERTIME ----------------- The Smithville Warriors never led in the first round of the State playoff game with the O’Hara Celtics but won the game on the last play of overtime 35-34. The two teams were tied at 27-27 at the end of regulation time and O’Hara scored first in the overtime period with a one-two punch. TJ White passed to Danny Hernandez for 17 yards and Donnie Criswell ran the ball in from 8 yards out. Bryce Scovill’s extra point conversion made the score 34-27. The Warriors answered with a 25 yard TD pass from Brent Hastings to Andrew Townsend and Bryant Blank successfully ran in a two-point conversion for the win and the only time O’Hara was behind in the entire game. Back in the first quarter, the Celtics used a one-two punch to score first. TJ White passed to Joe Pepple for 20 yards followed by a 54 yard TD run by James Tillman. The extra point kick went wide to the left and ultimately this was the margin of difference for O’Hara not winning in regulation time. The Warriors were able to tie the score at 6-6 with Brent Hastings completing a 4 yard pass to Blake Fore, but the try for a two-point conversion failed. The Celtics were able to put two more first quarter touchdowns on the scoreboard within the first quarter to take the lead and then boost their advantage to 20-6. The first of these came right after a 26 yard pass completion from TJ White to Aaron Stubblefield to set up a one yard plunge by TJ White. The Celtics got the ball back immediately on an on-side kick and proceeded to obtain their next TD. The one-two punch in this series was a 29 yard pass completion to Danny Hernandez plus a 25 yard scoring pass to Joe Pepple. Both teams scored a touchdown in the second quarter. The Warriors crossed the goal line first when Brent Hastings took it in from two yards out, but the Warriors once again failed to make their two-point conversion. With just over two minutes left in the first half, James Tillman sacked quarterback Brent Hasstings and forced a fumble recovered by O’Hara on the 29 yard line. TJ White and Danny Hernandez combined for two pass completions of 8 yards and 18 yards, the second of which was for the six points. The half time score was O’Hara 27 Smithville 12. To start the third quarter, the Smithville Warriors ground out small yardage gains and consumed much playing time which paid off with a 9 yard touchdown pass caught by Blake Fore. Drew Sperry kicked the extra point putting the Warriors down by only 8 points 27-19. The last scoring drive in regulation time occurred just as the third quarter was ending and the fourth quarter getting under way. The Warriors held possession of the ball for over ten plays and came away with a touchdown on a 2 yard run by Bryant Blank. To tie up the game, Austin Baker ran for a two-point conversion. O’Hara had one more good series which included a 16 yard pass to Danny Hernandez and a 19 yard pass to Joe Pepple, but Austin Baker was able to halt the drive with an interception on the 11 yard line to stop he threat. Smithville also had one more good series in regulation time getting as close as the 23 yard line before the Celtic defense stiffened. A long field goal attempt by Drew Sperry on fourth down was way short however. On the last play before overtime, the Celtics attempted their hook-and-ladder play. TJ White’s completion to Joe Pepple got off all right, but his lateral to speedy James Tillman was fumbled and the trick play fizzled.