Boosty_Hondo
12-09-2006, 02:35 AM
Football: Hondo's rally exacts revenge
Web Posted: 12/09/2006 12:33 AM CST
Dan McCarney
Express-News
Even with his team rolling through its best season in 50 years, Hondo quarterback Elliott Hackebeil found himself thinking about history of a different sort: Last year's 44-point playoff whipping from Wimberley.
"It was a huge motivator," he said. "We kept a list of who we wanted to pay back. And of course, they were the last check mark on our list."
Exacting full revenge for that humiliation, Hondo rallied from an early 20-point deficit Friday to beat Wimberley, the defending Class 3A Division I champion, 42-35 at the Alamodome in the Region IV 3A finals.
Hondo, continuing its best season since 1956, advances to the semifinals of the Division I playoffs. The Owls (14-0) will meet the winner of today's Giddings-Liberty Hill contest.
Hackebeil accounted for four touchdowns (three rushing, one passing) and Andy Werner ran for 106 of his 146 yards in the second half. Hondo's defense recovered two fumbles and stopped the Texans twice on fourth down.
Wimberley, which hadn't lost since its season opener, trailed 42-20 early in the fourth quarter before scoring a pair of late touchdowns.
The second, Richard Samuel's 66-yard punt return, pulled the Texans (12-2) within seven with less than two minutes to play. Hondo then recovered Wimberley's onside kick before bleeding off the final seconds.
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While last year's 52-8 elimination might have served as ample inspiration over the offseason, Hondo coach P.J. Wells said a repeat rout never crossed his mind.
"I knew we'd fight back, especially after we got that first touchdown," he said.
There was no single turning point that reversed Hondo's fortunes. The Owls simply woke up and played better.
Down 20-0 entering the second quarter, the Owls stormed back with three touchdowns to take a one-point lead at halftime.
They followed with three more scores in the second half for 42 unanswered points.
"Once we got rolling," Hackebeil said, "we had all the confidence in the world that we could do whatever we needed to keep it going."
Wimberley was hampered by an injury to two-way standout Michael Buse, who missed most of the first half. He was hurt while blocking on Samuel's 48-yard punt-return touchdown in the game's opening minutes.
Though he returned in the second half, he had only 20 yards on four carries and made little impact on defense.
As much as that hurt Wimberley, even a healthy Buse might not have been enough to deny a Hondo team starving for vengeance.
"Yeah, it feels good," Wells said. "It feels real good."
what coach wells says at the end puts everyones feelings into a nutshell
Web Posted: 12/09/2006 12:33 AM CST
Dan McCarney
Express-News
Even with his team rolling through its best season in 50 years, Hondo quarterback Elliott Hackebeil found himself thinking about history of a different sort: Last year's 44-point playoff whipping from Wimberley.
"It was a huge motivator," he said. "We kept a list of who we wanted to pay back. And of course, they were the last check mark on our list."
Exacting full revenge for that humiliation, Hondo rallied from an early 20-point deficit Friday to beat Wimberley, the defending Class 3A Division I champion, 42-35 at the Alamodome in the Region IV 3A finals.
Hondo, continuing its best season since 1956, advances to the semifinals of the Division I playoffs. The Owls (14-0) will meet the winner of today's Giddings-Liberty Hill contest.
Hackebeil accounted for four touchdowns (three rushing, one passing) and Andy Werner ran for 106 of his 146 yards in the second half. Hondo's defense recovered two fumbles and stopped the Texans twice on fourth down.
Wimberley, which hadn't lost since its season opener, trailed 42-20 early in the fourth quarter before scoring a pair of late touchdowns.
The second, Richard Samuel's 66-yard punt return, pulled the Texans (12-2) within seven with less than two minutes to play. Hondo then recovered Wimberley's onside kick before bleeding off the final seconds.
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Got a question about high school sports? Use the form below and fire away!
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While last year's 52-8 elimination might have served as ample inspiration over the offseason, Hondo coach P.J. Wells said a repeat rout never crossed his mind.
"I knew we'd fight back, especially after we got that first touchdown," he said.
There was no single turning point that reversed Hondo's fortunes. The Owls simply woke up and played better.
Down 20-0 entering the second quarter, the Owls stormed back with three touchdowns to take a one-point lead at halftime.
They followed with three more scores in the second half for 42 unanswered points.
"Once we got rolling," Hackebeil said, "we had all the confidence in the world that we could do whatever we needed to keep it going."
Wimberley was hampered by an injury to two-way standout Michael Buse, who missed most of the first half. He was hurt while blocking on Samuel's 48-yard punt-return touchdown in the game's opening minutes.
Though he returned in the second half, he had only 20 yards on four carries and made little impact on defense.
As much as that hurt Wimberley, even a healthy Buse might not have been enough to deny a Hondo team starving for vengeance.
"Yeah, it feels good," Wells said. "It feels real good."
what coach wells says at the end puts everyones feelings into a nutshell