BATTLE GROUND — Dylan Fisher is all smiles, but he admits perhaps the biggest play Saturday in Battle Ground’s 26-21 win over Burlington-Edison came on his own botched assignment.
“I had deep for the field,” the senior safety said. “I messed that up, let my teammates down, but thankfully, I was able to do something right for them.”
What Fisher’s talking about is the final Burlington-Edison play of the game inside 1 minute left facing a third-and-22 from near midfield and the visitors trailing by five. Quarterback Zach Watson hit receiver Bret Johnson for a catch-and-run down the right sideline, and instead of worrying about the mistake he made defensively by not being deep, Fisher made up for it by chasing Johnson down and stripping Johnson of the ball. The fumble was recovered by Battle Ground’s Richardo Lara to preserve win.
It was one of three caused fumbles by the Battle Ground defense. One of those players on defense watching the Fisher’s play developed downfield was Steven Hancock. Playing defensive end, he didn’t get to Watson, B-E’s quarterback, in time on the possession, but watched the secondary do work down field.
“It was like jumping off of Mt. Everest as far as feelings go.”
But offensively, Hancock’s dazzled as the featured tailback. He rushed for 197 yards on 24 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns.
Hancock is a returning all-league defensive end from last season’s 3-6 team, but is starting to find success in the run game.
“That means a lot,” Hancock said of learning his rushing totals. “Up until this point, senior year, I wasn’t ever a running back or ever thought I could be.”
Key moments
— Burlington-Edison’s final drive started with 2:25 left in the game when Mason Wann’s punt sailed to the 9-yard line. The first play, Watson hit Austyn Frazier for a big gain and a sideline penalty on Battle Ground pushed the ball to the 42. Two plays later, Burlington-Edison faced third-and-22.
— Burlington-Edison led 9-6 at halftime, but the two teams exploded in the final 12 minutes scoring a combined four touchdowns. Both of B-E’s fourth-quarter scores came on pass plays, including a 71-yard touchdown catch by Bode Brewer.
Key players
Mason Wann — The senior is a two-way starting linemen for the Tigers, and had three tackles for loss and a sack. He also made a key fourth-down stop late in the game on quarterback Zach Watson for a turnover on downs.
Ryan Potes — Potes didn’t have a carry until the second half, but was instrumental in orchestrating drives down field. He finished with seven carries for 67 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown run that gave Battle Ground a 26-15 lead. It was one of four touchdowns between the teams in the final 12 minutes.
Quotable
“I feel I can do this for the rest of the season now,” said Steven Hancock after his career game rushing.
