[wpbvideo id=’301518′]
SPRINGFIELD — Tiernan Hamtil doesn’t play defense, but on senior night, there was no chance he would be on the sidelines for the last defensive play.
Springfield Catholic clung to a two-point lead as they stared at a 32-yard field goal attempt with 36.4 seconds left. Three timeouts from Steve Hancock later, they were still sitting…. waiting.
“I wanted to block that thing more than anybody,” he said.
The Irish did just that and knelt out the remaining time against Reeds Spring, securing a 16-14 win and their first-ever share of the COC-Small Championship.
Students rushed the field as Tristan Gumucio wrapped his arms around his teammates with tears in his eyes.
He was one of many.
The Irish will share the conference title with Reeds Spring and Bolivar, marking the first time since the league’s creation that the Liberators will not own it outright. Still, Catholic may have grounds to ask Bolivar for a free dinner.
Steve Hancock said before the season began that he felt comfortable with how familiar his players had gotten with his staff and system. The night proved to be one of the ultimate manifestations of that trust.
“This is one of those moments that we needed in our program to sell the kids on what we’re doing,” he said.
Reeds Spring had not lost in conference and their Week 2 defeat against Cassville had been their only blemish. Still, their offense could not shake the Catholic defenders in the first half until they went to the air. Blake Gronvold hit Seth Stamps for a 30-yard score with 48.6 seconds left before halftime.
“Their offense can put points on the board but our defense just played their hearts out all night long. We let them get one in the fourth quarter, but the kids rallied back and we put them in a position to win it.”
The Irish (6-3) got their first score on a one-yard keeper by Tyson Riley to grab a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Ryan Miller booted a 37-yard field goal midway through the next frame.
Catholic was held to just 36 yards in the second half, but nine came on Riley’s second touchdown run to put them up 16-7. The sophomore admitted he’s been fortunate to have sizable upperclassmen opening gaps all year, but Hancock has seen growth in his quarterback as well.
“It’s tough on those kids when they run this type of offense because they’re reading something or somebody on almost every play. He’s done a great job and he’s matured. He’s what makes us go on offense.”
Needing another big play, Gronvold responded for Reeds Spring with as 57-yard run for his second score of the night, cutting the deficit to two.
He finished with 121 yards on 22 carries.
The Wolves (7-2) got the ball back with under four minutes left and methodically drove into the red zone to set up the field goal attempt. Hamtil was one of two subs to add some girth to the block attempt.
Seeing it happen was a reminder of the effort the senior and his teammates had put in to get here.
“The past two seasons, we were just working so hard and not getting the results,” he said. “This year, we worked our butts off. We’ve done everything we could and it’s paid off. No matter what people say, we know that we can win.”
Grant Schoen quickly rushed to his fellow trech-dweller and threw his arm around him.
“Our motto all year has been: ‘Always earned, never given’, and we earned it tonight,” he said.
Another player declared that Catholic would reach state. That remains to be seen, but this level of emotion is a fine springboard into districts next week.
Reeds Spring 14, Springfield Catholic 16
Reeds Spring 0 7 0 7 — 14
Springfield Catholic 7 3 6 0 — 16
First quarter
Catholic – Riley 1-yard run
Second quarter
Catholic – Miller 37-yard field goal
Reeds Spring – Gronvold 30-yard pass to Stamps
Third quarter
Catholic – Riley 9-yard run
Fourth quarter
Reeds Spring – Gronvold 57-yard run
