Bombers Are Off To State

Wes Vork-NSO

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Nov
4

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

DULUTH- When East Central and Barnum met earlier this season Barnum Bombers Head Coach Kevin Hayley thought a lot about the what ifs. The what ifs were turnovers and that ended the Bombers hope of having an undefeated season, and the chances they had to win a close battle earlier this season. All of those what if’s were erased Thursday night as the Bombers overcame a turnover in the East Central End zone with 21 seconds remaining in the first half. Barnum broke open a 7-7 halftime tie to walk away with the 20-7 victory and advance to the state quarterfinals next Saturday afternoon in St. Cloud.

Barnum came out Thursday afternoon with a mission to return to the state football tournament as the Bombers stopped the Eagles on their opening drive, took the ball, and marched down the field to score the game’s first touchdown on a Josh Hogan 1 yard run. Hogan had a bulk of the carries on the opening drive as the Bombers led 7-0 after a Justin Newman extra point.

Both offenses would stall a little bit until midway through the second quarter when the Eagles scored their only touchdown of the game. Tom Battaglia connected with tight end Kevin Klocke on a 12 yard touchdown pass and an extra point tied the game at 7-7 midway through the second quarter.

Barnum, however responded right back taking the kickoff and marching down the field behind several key runs from Hector Chavez. The Bomber moved the ball inside the East Central 5 yard line. On second and goal Hogan stretched the ball out to try to break the plane of the goal line but did not score. And with the Bombers facing a third and goal from the one foot mark a fumble by the Bombers into the end zone put a stop to a golden chance to enter the locker room up by seven.

“That was such a key play for us” Head Coach Kevin Hayley told Northland Sports online, “it ended the momentum we had going into half, but our kids were determined and they showed us that in the second half.” Hayley added “it was such a great game these kids have worked so hard for so long and they deserve it.” Senior Captain Josh Hogan said “it’s hard to describe the feeling, getting a blue medal instead of a red one is so much better.” Hogan led the Bombers rushing attack with 193 yards overall; Barnum finished with 338 total rushing yards.

Barnum came out in the second half and on their second possession of the third quarter; Hector Chavez took a handoff from Bobby Minkkinen and ran over the left side following his blockers into the end zone, giving Barnum a 14-7 lead. From there the Bomber defense took over shutting down any thought of an Eagle comeback as they Eagles could getting nothing going and Barnum sealed the victory with a six minute drive in the fourth quarter that saw Hogan score his second touchdown of the game and ensure a Bomber win.

The Bombers defense played a huge factor in the victory Thursday as great pressure and relentless pursuit which frustrated the Eagles all night. The Bombers scoreless streak by the defense ended at 12 straight but held the Eagles offense to 93 total yards on the night.

The Bombers improve to 10-1 on the season and they will move to St. Cloud State next Saturday afternoon and they will face either Minneota or Dawson-Boyd who are playing for the section 5A championship Friday night.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com