Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Staff
An ugly start to Thursday’s must-win game by the NDSS Golden Hawks senior football team was quickly erased with three quick touchdowns to close out the second quarter, igniting a 41-21 comeback victory over the KCVI Blues.
The win was their first of the season, improving their record to 1-4.
Napanee entered Thursday’s KASSAA league game, played at LCVI, needing a win to keep alive any hope of a playoff berth. The outlook didn’t look too promising after the opening quarter, when the Hawks had possession for just four downs, one of which was fumbled by usually reliable running back Cal DuChene. Old habits began to pop up for the Hawks as well as undisciplined penalties gifted the Blues 30 yards.
NDSS’ defense stood tall however, coming up with several big stops on their five yard line to keep it scoreless after a quarter. The Blues broke through early in the second, burning the defense for two long runs to go up 14-0.
“Today really felt different from the get-go,” said Hawks quarterback Colby Webb. “Even when we were down, even after Cal fumbled that one, it didn’t really matter because we had each other’s backs which was good to see.”
NDSS’ Hunter Bannon pulls down a catch, helping to set up a Hawks touchdown. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
It didn’t take long for DuChene to redeem himself, as the team continued to turn to him to gain yards through the running game. When DuChene was unavailable, quarterback Colby Webb called his own number, running for short bursts to gain a first down when needed. At the 40 yard line he connected with Hunter Bannon on a short pass and he was able to create enough space to get the ball to the five yard line. Webb completed the drive by diving through a wall of Blues defenders and over the line. Brock Vale kicked the extra point to cut the deficit to 14-7.
NDSS’ Braden Hart fired up after a big stop. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
NDSS continued to apply pressure on the very next series, when a hard hit by Braden Hart popped the ball loose from a Blues’ running back, allowing Webb to dive on the rolling ball to recover the fumble. He made good use of the possession, connecting with Vale for a touchdown. Vale again kicked the extra point to tie the game.
Still not done, the Hawks closed out the half with their third touchdown in a seven minute span, as DuChene went on a 40 yard run to help set up another touchdown. He finished what he started on the next play, taking a handoff from Webb and squeezing between his own blocker and a Blues’ defensive tackle, just inside the line into the corner of the end-zone. Vale kicked the extra point for a 21-14 lead at half.
NDSS’ Brayden Aldridge (right) blocks a tackle while teammate Cal DuChene sneaks under on his way to a touchdown. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
“I don’t know how I got in but I managed to make it through,” said DuChene.
Vale said the team found itself in unfamiliar territory entering the break.
“We knew (the Blues) were going to come out hard so we really had to step up,” he said. “We haven’t really had a lead after the first half before and we didn’t know how it was going to go, but we executed well.”
NDSS’ resiliency would be tested as the Blues scored right out of the gate to knot the game at 21-21. NDSS took over from there, as DuChene went on a 45 yard run to help set up another touchdown for Vale on the next play. Vale would add another for insurance in the fourth and DuChene capped the game with an end-to-end run on the final play of the game, taking a pass from Webb who was scrambling in his own end-zone and bouncing off several tackles to complete the full-length run.
“I don’t usually fumble,” DuChene said of wanting to atone for the first quarter. “I was a little bit off and had to pick myself up after that.”
He came back in a big way, scoring two touchdowns and playing a big role in every one of Napanee’s scoring plays.
The 41 output was a huge improvement for Napanee, who had scored two touchdowns in the same game just once in their previous four games.
“I think the defense was opening the holes for the running backs and everybody could get through and also we were protecting the quarterback,” said Hawks player Spencer Chandu-Lall of the biggest difference.
With Thursday’s win, the Hawks have at least made their final regular season game, next Wednesday at Regi, meaningful. A win or a tie would likely get them into the playoffs.
“Everyone knew their assignments, even after not the greatest week of practice, everyone just put the work in,” Webb said of Thursday’s win and what they need to do to be successful against Regi. “Everyone knew what they were doing for the most part, and that really helped us get it going.”
NDSS junior team meanwhile was left still searching for their first win of the year, getting shutout 38-0 to the Blues in the late game. They too will play Regi on Wednesday and then close out the season at Bayridge on Hallowe’en.
NDSS’ girls field hockey team saw their season come to an abrupt end yesterday afternoon after suffering a 2-0 upset loss by the sixth seeded Blues in the KASSAA quarterfinals. Despite the early exit the Hawks still had an extremely successful season, going 5-2-1 and earning the third seed entering the playoffs.