In a span of two minutes, Thorndale scored 21 points late in the fourth quarter to defeat Hearne 41-34.
The Bulldogs improved to 4-1 in District 13-2A DI for second place behind Holland and Hearne dropped to 2-2 in a tie for third with Milano.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Thorndale was losing 27-20 to Hearne. One play later, the Bulldogs tied the game on a 50-yard touchdown by Scott Guzman, his third of the night.
When Hearne got the ball back, the Thorndale defense put pressure on quarterback Micah Smith, which led to Cain Brymer intercepting a pass made by Smith and returning the ball into the end zone to put the Bulldogs ahead. With the Michael Herzog PAT (point-after-touchdown), Thorndale took the lead 34-27 with more than ten minutes left in the game.
The Bulldogs recovered the kickoff, and Guzman scored another touchdown on a 47-yard run. Herzog’s PAT extended Thorndale’s lead to 41-20.
“We scored 21 points in less than two minutes,” said Scott Hawkins. “But Hearne fought back the rest of the game.”
Less than five minutes later, Hearne wide receiver Damian Dunn scored on a three yard pass from Smith. Anthony Jackson’s PAT made the score 41-34 and put the Eagles within a touchdown with half of the quarter to play.
“We had to punt with less than two minutes left in the game,” Hawkins said. “And we didn’t get a good punt off.”
“On the last drive, Hearne was able to get two first downs, and get inside the 25-yard line with less than a minute to play. But on fourth down we deflected a pass in the end zone, and we got to run out the clock after that.”
The Bulldogs got off to a fast start against the Robertson County squad. The Bulldog defense forced a fumble on the first plays of the game, and scored four plays later on a five-yard run by Mason Lindig. Herzog made the PAT to put Thorndale ahead 7-0.
“We started firing off on all cylinders.” Hawkins said. “This was a good way to set the tone for the evening.”
The Eagles kept the Bulldogs within reach for the remainder of the half and the third quarter, scoring on a 64-yard pass Smith threw to wide receiver Javareyon Bailey. The Eagles also answered a 43-yard touchdown run by Guzman with a three-yard run by Smith before taking the lead in the third quarter with two touchdowns.
Thorndale was led by Guzman, who had 15 carries for 284 yards, and four touchdowns. As a team, the Bulldogs ran for 426 yards. Seven games into the season, Coach Scott Hawkins’ team has three players with more than 600 yards rushing. Luke Leschber(111-766), Jagger Rubio(79-687), and Guzman (79-672).
MARLIN – The Thorn-dale Bulldogs have an open week, but will take on the Marlin Bulldogs in their final district game on Friday, Nov. 9, at home. The Marlin’s are winless on the season, and are coming off a 38-13 loss to Milano on Friday.
“We will use this upcoming week to rest, as well as polishing some things before our final district game against Marlin, and the playoffs,” Hawkins said.
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