How knicely

STUARTS DRAFT — Trailing 14-13 with 18 seconds to go, Stuarts Draft quarterback Travis Knicely connected with Tyler Bridge from 11 yards out on a jump ball in the corner of the end zone giving the Cougars a big win on senior night by downing the Wilson Memorial Hornets 21-14 and in the process adding an exciting chapter to the intense rivalry that exists between the two schools.

The Hornets were driving late into the fourth quarter and looked poised to put the game away but the Stuarts Draft defense came up big with a stop on fourth down giving the ball back to the offense on their own 23-yard line. Aided by a Wilson Memorial personal foul, the Cougar offense took over and drove 52 yards in ten plays before facing a third and goal from the eleven that set the stage for the Bridge heroics.

“When I heard the play call I was nervous, just thinking that I have to make a play for the team and for the seniors,” Bridge said. “The defender had great position, I was just able to take it away from him.”

Stuarts Draft coach Rod Bowers was happy to get the win on a night that Wilson Memorial put forth a tremendous effort.

“You have to give a lot of credit to Wilson tonight, they played an outstanding game and this is one of those games where there really is no loser,” Bowers said. “That is what a high school football game should be like, no jive talk, no smack talking, just football.”

Draft opened the game with a nine-play 74 yard drive that ended when Cole Beyeler scored from two yards out. Jeff Wilson added the extra-point to put the Cougars up 7-0.

Wilson answered right back going 60 yards in ten plays and scoring when freshman running back Malik Rucks scored from three yards out with 1:26 to play in the opening quarter. Grant Sauer added the extra point, tying the game at seven.

The Cougars scored their second touchdown when D.J. Hines broke off a 32-yard touchdown run with 7:01 to play in the first half. The Hornets blocked the extra point leaving Draft up 13-7.

The Hornets were able to answer back again with their own scoring drive that was capped by a Rucks’ touchdown run from 17 yards out. Sauer’s added the point after making the score 14-13, where it would stand until Draft’s final touchdown, that spoiled Wilson’s bid to stay perfect in the district.

“That’s as good of a football game as you can see, both teams played well tonight,” Wilson coach Derek McDaniel said. “Give Draft credit, they were one play better than us tonight. But I am really proud of our team. Our kids never quit and I am as proud of them tonight as I have ever been.”