JOE T. ROBINSON 49, HAMBURG 29
Joe T. Robinson recovered two quick Hamburg fumbles, scoring after both, and advanced to the Class 4A semifinals with a 49-29 victory over the Lions in a game that wasn't as close as the final score might appear.
The Senators (10-2, 6-1 4A-7) had a 42-0 lead at the half en route to the victory. Hamburg (8-4, 5-2 4A-8) scored on four of its five second-half possessions to make the score more respectable.
"The kids had a really good week of practice and we knew Hamburg was a quality opponent," Robinson Coach Todd Eskola said. "The defense got a couple of turnovers quick, we scored and it kind of steamrolled from there."
Hamburg's Derrick Webb fumbled on the Lions' first play from scrimmage. The miscue, recovered by Davis Wofford, led to a three-yard touchdown from Mekel Kentle. The Lions' D.J. Johnson tried to get outside on their second offensive play but fumbled. Caleb Bridges recovered and Tyler Jones ran it in from seven yards, putting the Senators up 14-0 with 10:07 left in the opening quarter.
Robinson's defense continued to give the Senators decent field position on Hamburg's third possession, forcing a punt and putting Robinson in position at its 41.
"We run a real high-tempo offense and defense," Eskola said. "If you turn the ball over, we like to strike quick."
The Senators needed seven plays to score on their third possession, the touchdown coming on a a three-yard run by Jones.
[HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Click here for more scores, recaps and photos]
Hamburg got its initial first down on its fourth possession, but again had to punt.
Starting from its 14, Jones picked up 22 yards and after a one-yard run by Jones, quarterback Greyson Tackett passed to Martel Nunally for 27 yards and a first down. Two plays later, running back Jaiden Lee scored from 36 yards out. A bad snap on the point-after led to a 27-0 lead after one quarter.
After recovering a third Hamburg fumble on the first play of the second quarter, the Senators covered 58 yards on eight plays, scoring on a 14-yard pass from Tackett to Jones. A two-point conversion increased the margin to 35-0 with 9:03 left in the half.
The Lions were forced to punt again with Robinson starting at its 33. A Tackett-to-Traveon James pass covered 67 yards for another touchdown and a 42-0 lead at the half.
"No kid that played in the first half played the second half," Eskola said. "You saw a bunch of ninth-graders out there against a real good varsity team. Don't blame Hamburg, they didn't sub in the second half and played their starters. Those kids wanted to play and finish out their high school career."
Hamburg scored on a six-yard run by Armodd Taylor after a Robinson fumble, 31- and 23-yard passes from quarterback Nick Bridges to Jalen Wilson, and a pass from Bridges to Johnson on the final play of the game.
Sports on 11/17/2018