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10-18-2003, 01:17 AM
Turnover sparks Hawks to 16-14 win
By Zach Duncan, For the Times Record News
October 18, 2003
IOWA PARK — Iowa Park’s stingy defense has kept the Hawks in many games this season.
It single-handedly won them an enormous district game against Childress Friday night at Hawk Stadium.
Linebacker Brian Love recovered a fumble at the Bobcat 9-yard line with 1:17 remaining; giving the Hawks new life in a game they were on the verge of losing.
Two plays later, Justin Swenson lobbed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Hayley as Iowa Park (5-2, 2-0) escaped with a dramatic 16-14 victory over Childress.
"You always tell the kids, ‘keep playing — we need a turnover,’ " Iowa Park coach Chris Ellis said. "You say that all the time late in the ball game.
"We stripped the ball, and it actually happened. That’s what you keep working for. High school football is a game of momentum, and if you can keep that momentum going in the right direction, then your odds are good."
After driving to the Bobcats’ 11-yard line with two minutes remaining, it appeared the Hawks’ comeback hopes would fall short when Cary Keys intercepted Swenson’s pass on the goal line. While Iowa Park had three timeouts, all Childress had to do was gain a first down.
But the ball came loose on the second carry, providing the Hawks with their last opportunity.
"What can you say, I mean, my gosh," Childress coach Mark Manley said. "You play your hearts out, and come out one play short."
Despite four turnovers on the night, Iowa Park’s offense was efficient, gaining 211 yards on 35 carries. Their defense was stout as well, allowing only 45 yards on the ground and 160 total.
"My hat goes off to our defense," Ellis said. "The defense did a great job, bailing the offense out when we made some turnovers."
After Iowa Park’s John Byoreck connected on a 21-yard field goal, Childress countered through the air with precision passing from quarterback Matthew Manley.
With a short field to work with, Manley completed six of seven passes for 45 yards, capping off the drive with a 2-yard scoring toss to Jordan Parr in the second quarter. Manley then executed a fake extra point to perfection, and his conversion gave the Bobcats an 8-3 lead at the break.
Iowa Park’s Chase Burgher responded with a 57-yard jaunt on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, but its lead would not stand. Manley found Parr again in the end zone, this time for 17 yards, and Childress grasped a 14-9 lead until the final minutes.
Iowa Park will now travel to Bowie, while Childress hopes to rebound against Breckenridge.
"We’ll be all right," Manley said. "We’ll bounce back and play our hearts out next week. Hopefully, we will make one more play than Breckenridge makes next week."
By Zach Duncan, For the Times Record News
October 18, 2003
IOWA PARK — Iowa Park’s stingy defense has kept the Hawks in many games this season.
It single-handedly won them an enormous district game against Childress Friday night at Hawk Stadium.
Linebacker Brian Love recovered a fumble at the Bobcat 9-yard line with 1:17 remaining; giving the Hawks new life in a game they were on the verge of losing.
Two plays later, Justin Swenson lobbed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Hayley as Iowa Park (5-2, 2-0) escaped with a dramatic 16-14 victory over Childress.
"You always tell the kids, ‘keep playing — we need a turnover,’ " Iowa Park coach Chris Ellis said. "You say that all the time late in the ball game.
"We stripped the ball, and it actually happened. That’s what you keep working for. High school football is a game of momentum, and if you can keep that momentum going in the right direction, then your odds are good."
After driving to the Bobcats’ 11-yard line with two minutes remaining, it appeared the Hawks’ comeback hopes would fall short when Cary Keys intercepted Swenson’s pass on the goal line. While Iowa Park had three timeouts, all Childress had to do was gain a first down.
But the ball came loose on the second carry, providing the Hawks with their last opportunity.
"What can you say, I mean, my gosh," Childress coach Mark Manley said. "You play your hearts out, and come out one play short."
Despite four turnovers on the night, Iowa Park’s offense was efficient, gaining 211 yards on 35 carries. Their defense was stout as well, allowing only 45 yards on the ground and 160 total.
"My hat goes off to our defense," Ellis said. "The defense did a great job, bailing the offense out when we made some turnovers."
After Iowa Park’s John Byoreck connected on a 21-yard field goal, Childress countered through the air with precision passing from quarterback Matthew Manley.
With a short field to work with, Manley completed six of seven passes for 45 yards, capping off the drive with a 2-yard scoring toss to Jordan Parr in the second quarter. Manley then executed a fake extra point to perfection, and his conversion gave the Bobcats an 8-3 lead at the break.
Iowa Park’s Chase Burgher responded with a 57-yard jaunt on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, but its lead would not stand. Manley found Parr again in the end zone, this time for 17 yards, and Childress grasped a 14-9 lead until the final minutes.
Iowa Park will now travel to Bowie, while Childress hopes to rebound against Breckenridge.
"We’ll be all right," Manley said. "We’ll bounce back and play our hearts out next week. Hopefully, we will make one more play than Breckenridge makes next week."