A two-point conversion is all that separated the Brandon-Evansville football team from going home or going on to the second round of the Section 3 9-man playoffs.
The Chargers gave third-seeded Wheaton everything it could handle but came up just short in a 16-14 loss to the Warriors. The deciding points came late in the third quarter when a two-point conversion after a game-tying touchdown gave the Warriors a lead they would not relinquish.
The defense of both teams stood out. The Chargers and Warriors each used fumble recoveries to set up touchdowns in the game. Wheaton did so first, scoring after a fumble on Brandon-Evansville’s first play from scrimmage.
It did not take long for the Chargers to answer back. Aaron Lund recovered a fumbled punt, and Travis Lund made that count with a six-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Tyson Meissner. Teddy Wood then put the Chargers ahead 14-8 with a one-yard carry in the second quarter. That is how things would go into the third before the Warriors punched in the final score of the game.
“This was a really tough loss for our team,” head coach Greg Lanners said. “We have worked so hard and made such progress as a team. To lose a two-point playoff game against a very quality opponent is difficult.
“But that does not diminish the great effort displayed by our guys. Our team played their hearts out, and despite many setbacks during this game, just would not quit.”
The Chargers were held to just 170 yards of total offense on the night. They ran for 110 of those yards, 58 yards coming from Levi Hintermeister.
Their defense once again kept them in the game. Hintermeister also led the way on that side of the ball. He finished with 16 tackles, while Teagan Overturf had 14 solo tackles, nine assists, a sack and a fumble recovery. Aaron Lund, Dan Schaffer, Zach Hintermeister and Jarod Goehringer controlled the line of scrimmage, while the secondary of Wood, Travis Lund and Phil Kruger also helped out in the run and in the pass.
“We continued to display the solid defensive play that has been a part of our game since early in the season,” Lanners said. “Offensively, we once again struggled with consistency, with too many penalties and misplays at crucial points of the game in the second half.”
The loss ended a season for the Chargers that saw them make strides from an 0-8 season in 2008. Brandon-Evansville finished 3-6 but were in two of the final three losses of the year. The Chargers lose just four seniors in Travis Lund, Tom Anderson, Adam Wagner and Wood as they try to make more progress in 2010.
“The coaches are extremely proud of this team,” Lanners said. “Although they are disappointed [about the loss], our guys should eventually feel some satisfaction about their performance.”
GAME STATISTICS
BE 8 6 0 0 – 14
WHEATON 8 0 8 0 – 16
BRANDON-EVANSVILLE LEADERS – OFFENSE – Rushing – Levi Hintermeister – 11-58; Tyson Meissner – 10-26; Aaron Lund – 8-10; Teddy Wood – 2-13, TD; Passing – Meissner – 7-19, 60 yards, TD, extra point; Receiving – Travis Lund – 2 catches, TD; Adam Wagner – 3-21, extra point; Wood – 2 catches
DEFENSE – Levi Hintermeister – 16 solo, 1 assisted tackle; Teagan Overturf – 14 solo, 9 assisted tackles, sack, fumble recovery; Aaron Lund – 7 solo, 3 assisted tackles, fumble recovery; Jarod Goehringer – 8 solo, 4 assisted tackles; Teddy Wood – 9 solo tackles, 2 pass break ups; Travis Lund – 6 solo, 2 assisted tackles, pass break up; Phil Kruger – 9 solo, 2 assisted, pass break up
Tags: brandon evansville sports, sports, home, team, chargers, football, section, 3, 9, man, playoffs
More from around the web
RSS Feeds