NWOAL FINALE … Archbold receiver Chase Miller runs by the ball on an end around in the first quarter. (PHOTOS BY LINDSAY PHILLIPS, STAFF)
By: Nate Calvin
HAMLER – The Patriots had two receivers go over 100 yards and they overcame having two touchdowns called back because of penalties in the fourth quarter to knock off the Bluestreaks 20-14.
Patrick Henry scored on their opening drive of the game after stopping Archbold on downs, marching 64 yards in 10 plays ending with a three-yard touchdown run by Nash Meyer on a quarterback keeper for a 6-0 lead after the extra point was missed.
Archbold’s offense sputtered early with their first three possessions resulting in turnover on downs and their fourth drive ending in a punt.
Following a 22-yard punt return by Chase Miller to put the ball at the PH 25, the Bluestreaks finally would get in the scoring column in the closing seconds of the first half.
After a holding penalty by Archbold on the first play of the possession moved the ball back to the 36, Cade Brenner went 11 yards to Miller and 25 yards to running back Carson Dominique to setup first and goal at the five-yard line.
Two plays later, Dominique found the end zone on a five-yard run with 0:11 seconds left in the half for 7-6 lead at halftime.
The Patriots opened the second half with an impressive 12 play, 74-yard drive and Meyer punched it in from two yards out to make it 12-7.
Archbold struck quickly on their first possession of the half which started at the Patriots 48-yard line after a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Patriots following the kickoff return.
It took just three plays for Archbold to get the lead back as Brenner hit Miller for a 30-yard TD pass to give Archbold a 14-12 lead.
The Patriots moved to the Archbold 16-yard line on their next possession before turning it over on downs.
Patrick Henry’s defense forced a quick three and out by the Archbold offense and after a short Bluestreaks punt, the Patriots had the ball at the Archbold 36-yard line.
The Patriots eventually cashed in, facing a fourth and long at the 20, Meyer hooked up on a 20-yard slant pass with Aiden Behrman for the go-ahead touchdown and Meyer ran in the two-point conversion to make it 20-14.
After an Archbold fumble the Patriots appeared to be driving for an insurance touchdown as a Bluestreak pass interference penalty put the ball on the Archbold 13.
Patriot running back Gavin Jackson scored on a 13-yard run after the penalty, but it was called back due to a holding penalty against the Patriots.
On fourth and eight at the 12-yard line the Meyer went 12 yards to Behrman for six points, but once again a Patriot penalty took points off the board.
Archbold would get the ball back after a Patriot punt with 6:38 remaining in the contest.
A defensive chop block penalty against PH followed by two short pass completions from Brenner, and then a 19-yard run by Carson Dominique moved the Streaks to the Patriot 33-yard line.
ELUDING THE RUSH … Cade Brenner rolls out to pass with the Patriots defense in pursuit.
A sack by the Patriot defense would put the Bluestreaks in a fourth-and-17 situation on the PH 40-yard line.
Benner would connect with Karter Behnfeldt on a 40-yard touchdown pass but it was Archbold’s turn to have a score wiped out by penalty as Behnfeldt would be called for offensive pass interference.
Archbold punted after the penalty and the Patriots would then punt after gaining a first down on the subsequent possession to give Archbold one last chance with just 0:47 seconds remaining.
Archbold needed just three plays to move from their own 35 to the Patriots 35 as Brenner went 10 yards to Miller and then found running back Josiah Gomez on a wheel route out of the backfield for 30 yards.
The Patrick Henry defense stiffened from there forcing four straight incompletions by Brenner to take over on downs with just 0:07 seconds to go.
Meyer ended the game 29-49 thru the air for the Patriots with Landon Johnson pulling in nine receptions for 133 yards.
Brenner was 19-33 for 222 yards to lead the Bluestreaks passing game and Dominique ended with 99 yards rushing with one touchdown on 18 totes.
Both Archbold (8-2) and Patrick Henry (6-4) will be in playoffs and await to find out on Sunday who their opening round opponent will be.
AHS PHHS
First Downs 16 21
Rushing Yards 27-62 20-16
Passing Yards 222 307
Total Yards 284 323
Passing 19-33-1 29-49-0
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 2-1
Penalties 8-95 9-90
Archbold 0 7 7 0 — 14
Patrick Henry 6 0 6 8 — 20
PH – Meyer 3-yd run (kick failed).
A – Dominique 5-yd run (Kern kick)
PH – Meyer 2-yd run (conversion failed).
A – Miller 30-ydpass from Brenner (Kern kick)
PH – Behrman 19-yd pass from Meyer (Meyer run)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Archbold-Dominique 18-99; Patrick Henry-Jackson 2-9; PASSING: Archbold-Brenner 19-33-1-222; Patrick Henry-Meyer 29-49-0-307; RECEIVING: Archbold-Miller 8-70, Morris 1-43; Patrick Henry: Johnson 9-133, Behrman 9-103
Nate can be reached at sports@thevillagereporter.com