OUARTERBACK RUN … Edon signal caller Kyler Sapp takes off on a scramble in the second half against Antwerp. (PHOTO BY RICH HARDING / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Nate Calvin
EDON (August 25, 2023) – Antwerp found the end zone twice in the final 1:35 of the first half and tacked on another score after recovering an onside kick to start the second half to put the game away as they were 54-24 winners at Edon.
In what was anticipated to be a game decided through the air, both teams started fast with Antwerp striking first.
The Archers moved the ball quickly down the field ending with a 38-yard touchdown pass by Carson Altimus to Tavin Sholl followed by a Reid Lichty two-point conversation run to make it 8-0.
Edon answered on their first drive, marching 59 yards in seven plays, capped off with Kyler Sapp tossing a three-yard touchdown pass to Kendol Brigle and after Sapp’s successful two-point conversion pass to Cohen Hulbert the game was tied 8-8.
Antwerp started their next possession at the Edon 19-yard line after a long kickoff return by Sholl and it was Altimus scoring on a quarterback keeper on third and goal from the three to put the Archers back up 14-6.
Sapp would show off his running ability on the Bombers next possession with a fourth down run of 45 yards on a draw play for a touchdown to deadlock the game at 16-16 after a two-point conversion pass by Sapp.
Antwerp’s next possession would produce the game’s first turnover as Landon Brewer coughed it up after making a catch and Edon recovered at the Antwerp 30-yard line.
Edon was unable to take advantage though as the Archer defense rose to the occasion and forced an incompletion by Sapp on fourth down to get the ball back.
Antwerp would then take advantage of the defensive stop as a combination of Altimus passing and Reid Lichty on the ground led an eight-play 72-yard drive with Lichty scoring on a 19-yard run to put the Archers back on top at 24-16 early in the second quarter.
An exchange of punts put Edon in great field position, taking possession at the Antwerp 31-yard line.
After a holding penalty, Sapp strung together three straight completions, the last one an eight-yard touchdown pass to Brigle to tie the game at 24-24 with 4:52 left in the half.
The Archer defense would then make another big play after the offense turned it over on downs, as Altimus intercepted a Sapp pass to put the Archers in business at their own 35.
Antwerp needed just one play to capitalize on the turnover as Altimus went deep to a wide-open Camden Fuller for 65 yards to put Antwerp back on top at 32-24 with 1:35 remaining in the half.
The momentum of the game would continue to shift as Edon rolled the dice on the ensuing possession by going for it on fourth down at their own 44-yard and Sapp’s pass was incomplete to give the ball back to Antwerp.
Antwerp cashed in on just four plays with Altimus going 18 yards to Brewer for the score with 0:17 left in the half giving the Archers a 40-24 lead at the break.
Antwerp went for the knockout punch to start the second half by successfully executing an onside kick to give them the ball at the Edon 49-yard line.
A nine-play drive ensued for the Archers as Altimus went 18 yards over the middle to Kayden Winslow for a touchdown as the lead ballooned to 48-24.
Antwerp added one more score in the third quarter as Altimus fired his fifth and final scoring pass of the night by going 10 yards on third and goal to Fuller to make in 54-24 and putting the running clock into effect.
Altimus finished the night 18-25 in the air for 253 yards and five touchdowns while also rushing for one score.
Fuller topped the Archers in receiving with six catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns while Lichty had 122 rushing yards.
Sapp threw for 167 yards for the Bombers with Brigle hauling in six passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns.
UP NEXT: September 1 – Edon (1-1) at Hicksville (1-1) 7pm
AHS EHS
First Downs 13 9
Rushing Yards 25-140 16-67
Passing Yards 253 164
Passing 18-25-0 17-36-1
Total Yards 393 231
Fumbles-Lost 2-2 0-0
ANTWERP 16 24 14 0 – 54
EDON 16 8 0 0 – 24
A – Sholl 38-yd pass from Altimus (Lichty run)
E – Brigle 3-yd pass from Sapp (Hulbert pass from Sapp)
A – Altimus 3-yd run (Lichty run)
E – Sapp 45-yd run (Brigle pass from Sapp)
A – Lichty 19-yd run (Brewer run)
E – Brigle 8-yd pass from Sapp (Radabaugh pass from Sapp)
A – Fuller 65-yd pass from Altimus (Lichty run)
A – Brewer 18-yd pass from Altimus (Fuller pass from Altimus)
A – Winslow 18-yd pass from Altimus (Fuller pass from Altimus)
A – Fuller 10-yd pass from Altimus (pass failed)
Nate can be reached at sports@thevillagereporter.com