In 2016 a missed extra point cost Veterans a potential win over Dublin. In 2017 it was beginning to look like it might be field goals.
The Warhawks missed two early on – both set up by Irish miscues. Granted neither was an easy make for sure – the first was from 41 yards out, the second from 39.
Those coupled with a 96-yard pass completion for a touchdown by the visitor following – the point after missed – left one to wonder.
In the end it had no effect – although a two-point conversion late kept it in question until the very end – as Veterans strung together three straight drives for touchdowns and went on to win 21-14.
The first came right after Dublin had scored – the game about seven minutes into the second quarter by then.
It was 13-play drive that featured a fake punt on a fourth-and-three. There was also a fumble but the Warhawks were lucky enough to recover it. The drive ended with Sebastian Verger running it in from the 4. James Tinney’s point after made it 7-6 with 11 seconds left before the break.
Veterans then came out and scored on a six-play drive to start the third that ended with Jarrod Johnson scoring from the 3. After Dublin turned it over on downs, Jeremy Horton scored on a 22-yard run. In fact, it was Horton who took the first handoff and ran it to the 48, then received the second and carried it to the 22. Also, he played a number of big roles – on special teams returning kicks, receiver and in the backfield – and made a big impact on the field. (Almost had a 94-yard return for a touchdown late, but had a hold negate it.)
Tinney again was perfect on both scores, making it 21-6 with just a little bit left in the third.
Rewind to thoughts of those field goals … as the Fighting Irish followed that with a drive – the game moving into the fourth during that time – and a score. Just as alarming: It went for the two-point conversion and made it to make the score the aforementioned 21-14.
Veterans, despite picking up a trio of first downs and moving it from the 6 to the 46 of the visitor, was forced to punt following. It did manage to eat up about six minutes of the clock, however. Dublin took it after that at the 19 but on the third play from scrimmage was intercepted by Justin Stevens – a very good night on defense by him all around.
The Warhawks were then able to run out the clock for the win.
Veterans was able to dominate Dublin on the stat sheet last year as well, and this year was also no different. It finished with 317 yards of total offense whereas the Fighting Irish had 208.
The Warhawks improved to 1-1 with the win. Dublin is also 1-1.
MCDONALD’S OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME JEREMY HORTON. PAPA JOHN’S DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME JUSTIN STEVENS.
