HOCKINSON — Hockinson football coach Rick Steele said two good things came out of his team’s first loss in 29 games Friday.
For starters, he said as he addressed his team after its 27-21 home loss to Archbishop Murphy, it got the Hawks’ attention.
And second, there’s a reason why the scheduled tough opponents such as the Wildcats.
“To make us tougher,” the coach said. “Yes it hurts … but looking down the road, are we going to want to see those fellas again?”
Hockinson players agreed in unison, and know they can’t rest on what’s gotten them this far entering Friday: a state-best 28-game winning streak snapped Friday. The Hawks’ previous loss came in the 2016 Week 10 state preliminary round to Black Hills.
Said senior Takumi Veley: “It’s time to work … We can’t let our state championships be the pillar to fall back on. We have to play football.
“I think — and I hope — all the players will have a wake-up call and get down to it.”
The calendar might’ve read Sept. 13, but Friday’s tilt at featured all the makings of a playoff showdown between Class 2A perennial powers. Both teams debuted in the top 5 of the Associated Press’ statewide rankings released this week, including Hockinson unanimously at No. 1.
The Wildcats had little trouble on Hockinson’s natural-grass field, rushing out to the game’s first two touchdowns, held a 21-14 halftime lead, and increased its lead to two scores early in the fourth quarter.
For a team that’s been a pass-heavy offense in recent years, the Hawks’ primarily went to the ground as the Wildcats countered with their re-established Wing-T offense. Peyton Brammer’s first catch of the game for Hockinson came in the fourth quarter and three more on a scoring drive that pulled the Hawks within 27-21 with 5:27 remaining.
Friday was a statement win and more for Archbishop Murphy, quarterback and safety Victor Gabalis said.
“We executed everything we had to do, and we’ll have a nice bus ride home,” he said.”
Key moments
— For a game marred by penalties and mistakes on both sides, Hockinson had a chance to take the lead on their final possession. Hockinson got the ball on its own 36, had a first-down run by Crum, but had four consecutive incomplete passes for a turnover on downs.
— Hockinson’s late-game rally started trailing 27-14 when quarterback Levi Crum and the offense orchestrated momentum. Brammer’s 27-yard catch — his longest of the game — got the Hawks inside the redzone at the 14, but a bad snap on the next play resulted in a turnover as Jack Barnes intercepted Crum.
— Friday’s two-score deficit is the second time in Hockinson’s four games dating back to last season it trailed by at least two touchdowns. During its undefeated championship run in 2018, Hockinson trailed by 17 points twice in its final two games: the semifinals and championship.
Key players
Victor Gabalis: The Archbishop Murphy quarterback completed 6 of 10 passes, had touchdown runs of 69 and 1 yard, and one of two interceptions on Hockinson quarterback Levi Crum.
Mason Mathis: The running back rushed for a game-best 94 yards on 17 carries and a 5-yard touchdown run.
Jeremiah Faulstick: Hockinson’s tight end had two catches, including Hockinson’s second touchdown that made it a one-score game at halftime.
Quotable
“I put that on us,” quarterback Levi Crum said of the team’s passing struggles. “We should’ve made the adjustments earlier, we did a little bit better in the second half … but we could’ve put together a few more good drives.”
