By: Kent Hutchison – THE VILLAGE REPORTER
Friday the 13th, a date considered to be bad luck by many ended up that way for the Edon Blue Bombers in their contest with the host Hicksville Aces. Early in the game it appeared the day was going to be one of good fortune for the Bombers. Edon found paydirt their first two possession and built a 13-0 lead with 5:34 remaining in the first quarter. However, from that point on Hicksville scored 26 unanswered points and found the end zone in 8 of their next 10 possessions en route to a 53-33 win over the Bombers.
Edon received the opening kickoff and in nine plays and 2:50 covered the 62 yards needed for a touchdown. The Bombers used a combination of running and passing plays to move the ball. It appeared the opportunity was slipping away from Edon when Kaden Sapp’s pass attempt to Landon Bloir was just out of reach. However, a personal foul on the Aces gave the Bombers a first down at the Hicksville 16 yard line. Sapp hit Conner Hug for an 11 yard gain. The drive was capped off by a 5 yard scamper through the heart of the Aces defense by Sapp. Mike Peeples added the point after touchdown putting Edon on top 7-0.
Hicksville appeared poised to counter the Bomber score with one of their own as they picked up a quick first down. However, that premise changed quickly when a pitch fell to the turf and was pounced upon by Tyler Seaman.
The Bombers went back to work just short of midfield. Sapp targeted Hug again on first down, but the pass missed the target. Trevor Green picked up 8 yards on the ground, then Sapp called his own number to pick up the first down. Two successive running plays resulted in a loss and then a holding penalty. Faced with second and 33, Sapp found Hug again for an 11 yard gain. He then tossed the pigskin up for in grabs. Brock Thiel showed off his vertical climbing up over a Hicksville defender for a 32 yard pick up. The Bombers covered the final 20 yards for another score when Sapp hit Bloir. Peeples kick was unsuccessful, however Edon now held a 13-0 advantage with over five minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
On the next two possessions the two teams exchanged punts. From that point on the Aces played their trump cards on the Bombers. Hicksville moved the ball 35 yards in nine plays, eight of them rushing attempts, to cut the deficit to 13-6.
Following a 26 yard return by Hug, Edon was back to work at their 42 yard line. Green and Sapp gained one yard each on the ground, then Sapp hit Hug again for 13 yards. Sapp took to the ground for 15, then 6 yards. The junior signal caller then hit Green for four more yards and another first down at the Hicksville 20 yard line. Green pounded the line for three additional yards, but Sapp was sacked for a 2 yard loss. Hug was targeted again by Sapp for a gain of eight. Facing fourth and two from the Aces 12 yard line, the Bombers tried to hurry to the line to catch Hicksville off guard. That strategy failed miserably when the exchange from center fell to the ground ending the threat and turning the ball back over to the Aces on downs.
Each team punted the ball again, then Hicksville took back over at their 41. The Aces used several aerials to move the ball. When Sapp intercepted a pass just short of the goal line it appeared the threat had be thwarted. However, a yellow hankie indicated holding against the Bombers. Shortly thereafter the Aces completed a pass for a touchdown and the score was knotted 13-13 at halftime.
It was evident that the score at the end of the half caused a huge momentum swing. The Aces needed just two runs by Kaleb Johns to cover 73 yards and put Hicksville up 20-13.
On the ensuing possession by the Bombers, a Sapp aerial was intercepted by the Aces Jonny Geisige. Hicksville scored six plays later for their 26th unanswered points of the night to go up 26-13 with 7:30 remaining in the third quarter.
Following a squib kick, Edon started with the ball resting on their 42 yard line. Sapp gained six yards on the ground only to have the play negated by a holding call. The quarterback then completed two successive passes; first to Hug for 10 yards, then to Bloir for 19 more. Sapp ran for one yard before missing Hug on a pass attempt. The junior didn’t miss his next toss hitting Peeples for a 34 yard score to narrow the margin to 26-19 as the kick by Peeples was blocked.
Hicksville scored on their next two possessions to up the advantage to 40-19 as the fourth quarter began.
Edon continued to battle. Beginning at their 43 yard line, Sapp kept the ball for 16 yards on the ground, then tossed one up down the north sideline that Hug snatched from two Hicksville defenders for a 35 yard gain. With the ball resting at the Hicksville six, Sapp found Bloir for their second scoring connection. After Peeples nailed the kick Edon trailed 40-26.
Another onside kick attempt by the Bomber resulted in excellent field possession for the Aces. Starting at the Edon 49 yard line, Hicksville needed just three plays and 1:30 to score once again. This time Geisige hit Zack Yoder for a 48 yard score making the score 47-26 in favor of the home team.
There was still plenty of fight left in the Bomber offense. Starting at their 43 yard line, Sapp tossed a screen in the left flat and Green darted 22 yards. Sapp hit his favorite target Hug for a 13 yard gain leaving Edon with a first and 10 at the Aces 22 yard line. A short completion to Peeples resulted in no gain, and then the next attempt in Hug’s direction was tipped and almost intercepted. Facing 3rd and 10, Sapp called his own number for just enough for a first down. The duo of Sapp to Hug gained the final 12 yards to trim the lead down to 47-33 with 7:46 remaining in the contest.
Unfortunately that was the final time the Bombers crossed the goal line. Hicksville added another touchdown to provide the final score of 53-33.
Although it wasn’t another record setting performance, Sapp had a respectable night through the air. He completed 20 of 31 pass for 294 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Just three weeks into the season the junior completed 47-74 attempts, has amassed 1059 passing yards and thrown 13 TD passes.
Hug led the receiving corps with 10 catches for 114 yards and a score, while Bloir hauled in 3 aerials for 45 yards and 2 touchdowns. Peeples secured 2 tosses for 47 yards and one TD, with Thiel snatching a pair of throws for 26 yards.
Sapp also led the Bombers on the ground rushing for 47 yards in 20 attempts and one touchdown. Green had 6 carries for 14 yards.
The loss drops Edon to 2-1 on the season. The Bombers will open league play next as they travel to Northwood to battle the always powerful and defending TAAC Champion Rangers.
Kent Hutchison can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com