Britton-Hecla defeated Corsica-Stickney 44-36 in overtime for the Class 9A Championship game.
The Jaguars got the ball to open the game, and they started strong, as Cordell Menning broke free for a 43-yard touchdown. This gave Corsica-Stickney an early 8-0 lead.
Britton-Hecla picked up a few first downs on their opening possession, but the drive stalled near midfield. A botched punt was then recovered by Corsica-Stickney, which gave nice field position to the Jaguar offense.
Corsica-Stickney would capitalize when Menning ran it in from four-yards away, his second score in the game. The Jaguars led Britton-Hecla 16-0 with 5:27 to play in the first quarter.
End of the 1st Quarter: Corsica-Stickney 16 Britton-Hecla 0
Britton-Hecla got on the board within the first minute of the second quarter, courtesy of a one-yard quarterback sneak from Parker Marlow. Corsica-Stickney still held the 16-8 lead.
The Braves then gave up a big kick return, but their defense would hold – forcing a turnover on downs. On the very next play from scrimmage, Britton-Hecla running back Tayon Hawkins broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run. This tied the game 16-16 in the early stages of the second quarter.
Corsica-Stickney got back on track their next offensive possession when running back Bryce Plamp found the open field on a carry for a 48-yard touchdown run. And with 8:05 to play in the half, the Jaguars led Britton-Hecla 24-16.
At the 5:42 mark of the second quarter, Braves running back Hawkins once again found the end zone, courtesy of an eight-yard run. After the successful two-point conversion, the game was once again tied up – this time 24-24.
The Jaguars spent the next five minutes moving the ball down field. Their drive was capped off with a one-yard quarterback sneak by Blake Moke, which gave Corsica-Stickney the lead back, 30-24 with under thirty seconds to play in the half.
Halftime: Corsica-Stickney 30 Britton-Hecla 24
Britton-Hecla received to start the second half, and once again – they scored. Braves running back Stanley Haskins Jr. ran in a four-yard dash. The two-point conversion failed, which kept the game tied 30-30.
With 4:43 to play in the third quarter, Jaguar quarterback Moke found wide out Plamp for an 18-yard touchdown. This gave Corsica-Stickney the lead, again, 36-30.
End of the 3rd quarter: Corsica-Stickney 36 Britton-Hecla 30
The Braves weren’t done yet. Tayon Hawkins pounded ahead for yards inside the red zone when he fumbled the football. It was picked up by a fellow teammate, Skylar Macconnell, and taken into the end zone for a Britton-Hecla touchdown. This tied the game up once again 36-36 with 5:45 to play.
Corsica-Stickney had a chance at the end of regulation, but time expired deep in Braves territory.
End of Regulation: Corsica-Stickney 36 Britton-Hecla 36
Britton-Hecla got the ball first in overtime. Hawkins found space around the edge to get in for a 5-yard score. The two-point conversion was good, and the Braves grabbed the 44-36 lead.
Corsica-Stickney then had a chance. On a play at the goal line, the ball came loose, which was recovered by the Braves – sealing the victory for Britton-Hecla.
Final Score: Britton-Hecla 44 Corsica-Stickney 36
Joe Robbie Award: Bryce Plamp of Corsica-Stickney is the recipient of the 2017 Class 9A Joe Robbie Award. He ran for 106-yards and a touchdown, along with 95-yards receiving and a touchdown reception.
