The loss by Holland (4-6, 2-3), coupled with Bartlett’s 47-8 win over Granger and Thrall’s 37-6 victory over Milano, means the Hornets will not be one of District 26-A’s three representatives in the state playoffs. Thorndale (5-5, 3-2) will be in the Class A Division I playoffs while district champion Bartlett (7-3, 5-0) and Thrall (3-7, 2-3) will enter the Division II playoffs.
Trailing 20-13 late in the third quarter, Holland had an opportunity to tie the game or take the lead. A 20-yard kick-off return by Ethan Stroud gave the Hornets great field position at their own 48. A 22-yard completion from Clayton Ash to Sam Goodnight helped move the ball to the Bulldog 29. But the drive stalled, and Thorndale took over on downs at its own 23.
A combination of tough running and Holland penalties allowed the Bulldogs to drive to the Hornet 13 in six plays. The possession ended one play later, however, with Stroud recovering a Thorndale fumble at the Holland 5.
The Hornets managed to gain only 3 yards and had to punt from their own end zone. The short kick only covered 22 yards, to the Holland 30. Kasey Corcoran caught the ball near the left hash marks, took off up the left sideline and ran untouched into the end zone.
The Bulldogs attempted a two-point conversion but failed, leaving the score 26-13 with 5:42 left in the game.
On Holland’s next possession, Stephen McKendrick intercepted a Hornets pass at the Thorndale 35 near the left hash marks, ran across the field, started up the right sideline, burst through the grasp of some would-be tacklers, picked up an escort of blockers and dashed into the end zone.
Shea Maupin ran in the two-point conversion, giving Thorndale a 34-13 lead with 4:30 remaining.
Both teams’ defenses played well in the hard-fought game, especially in the first half. Led by Chance Brantner, Blair Severson, J.D. Kelley, Chris Pajestka and Stroud, Holland limited the Bulldogs to two first downs, 11 yards rushing and 46 yards total offense prior to the intermission.
Meanwhile Thorndale held the Hornets to five first downs, negative 1-yard rushing and 60 yards total before halftime.
It was a great defensive series by Holland that set up the game’s first score.
The Bulldogs took the opening kick-off at their own 39, but immediately started moving backwards. First a penalty for an illegal block cost them 10 yards. Then Stroud dropped Maupin for an 11-yard loss.
On fourth down, Maupin dropped back to punt but fumbled the snap, with Ash recovering at the Thorndale 10. Four plays later Goodnight scored on a 4-yard run, and Stroud’s PAT kick gave the Hornets a 7-0 lead with 8:04 left in the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter, the Bulldogs took advantage of another short Holland punt to start a drive on the Hornet 38. Three plays later Cody Schneider found Landon Falke all alone along the right sideline for a 35-yard scoring play. Joe Salinas ran in the two-point conversion, giving Thorndale an 8-7 edge with 10:20 remaining in the half.
The Bulldogs scored on its first possession of the second half on an unusual play. Kenneth Talley broke free on a pitch around left end at the Holland 23 and headed for the end zone. He was hit and fumbled just before crossing the goal line. A Hornet grabbed the loose ball and rolled into the end zone, but lost possession. A mass of players jumped on the errant pigskin. Paxton Jordan emerged from the pile with the ball, resulting in a touchdown for Thorndale.
Later in the third quarter Holland drove 62 yards in nine plays to score on a 4-yard run by Ash. The PAT kick was blocked, leaving the score Thorndale 14-13 with 5:25 left in the period.
The Bulldogs came right back, marching 62 yards in nine plays to score on Maupin’s 1-yard run with 1:13 left in the quarter.
rray@temple-telegram.com
