Hurricanes Victorius in Triple OT at Redskins, 31-29

The Monticello Hurricanes made the short trek up Highway 11 to Social Circle last Friday for their third region game of the year. They came back victors!

The Redskins came into the game with a 5-2 record, and 3-0 in Region 4-A play, whereas Monticello came into the contest with a 5-1 record, 2-0 in Region 4-A play. These records set up for a matchup that was expected to be a close game, and those that were able to attend did not leave disappointed.

The game began with the Redskins having possession after receiving the opening kickoff. In just under two minutes, the Redskins chipped their way down to the end zone, with the drive capper coming on a 25-yard touchdown pass.

The Hurricanes came back and worked their way downfield, picking up a first down, but were unable to go far, booming a punt from their own 44-yard line. Social Circle again went to work, taking the ball at their own 27, and using three big chunk plays to move into the end zone. The extra point after the 39-yard touchdown run was good, and your hometown Hurricanes were quickly down 14-0, with only seven and a half minutes elapsed in the game.

The Hurricanes responded quickly, moving into the end zone on just two plays after a 65-yard kick return by Kamarion Owens gave them excellent field position, starting at the Redskin 33-yard line. After a short two-yard pass from Jamarkus Thomas to Isaiah Jackson, senior Jalen Stewart took the handoff on the next play, dashing 31-yards to the end zone to break the scoring ice for the Hurricanes. Angel Martin-Garcia was true on the extra point, and the Canes had cut the lead in half, now down seven with 3:28 left to play in the first quarter.

The Monticello defense came to life on the next Redskin drive, getting a big stop with a tackle for a loss on third down, and forcing a Social Circle punt. The punt was downed on the Monticello 13-yard line, where they would begin an 11 play, 87-yard drive to the end zone that covered six minutes in the second.

The Hurricanes had to work to cover those 87 yards, and did so in some non-traditional fashions. After picking up a first down and moving out of the shadow of their own end zone, a snap went high and through the hands of Thomas, as an alert Stewart hustled down and recovered the errant ball way back at their own 10-yard line. Facing a third and 25 hole, QB Thomas reeled off an 18-yard run, which brought in Owens to punt.

With a one-man rush and all of the Social Circle punt return team accounted for, Owens pulled the ball down, tucked it in, and raced 16-yards downfield. At the end of the play, a Social Circle defender tackled Owens by the facemask, adding another 15-yards due to the penalty. Another fourth down conversion was forthcoming, this time facing fourth and one from the Social 32, Garyson Manning powered across for a five-yard pickup to keep the drive going. Stewart finished it off with another tough run, busting downfield for a 27-yard touchdown run. This knotted the score up at 14-14.

Both teams tried to get something going for a final drive before the half, with the Hurricanes connecting in the end zone as time expired, but an offensive pass interference call wiped away the touchdown, and the teams went to the locker rooms still knotted at 14.

The Hurricanes began the second half on offense, and picked up right where they left off, driving downfield in eight plays, covering 71 yards, and milking 4:00 off the clock as short down back Manning pushed across the touchdown from one-yard out to give the Hurricanes their first lead in the contest. Martin-Garcia’s point after attempt was once again good.

After exchanging punts, the Hurricanes drove downfield for the final possession of the third quarter. The drive slogged down around the Social Circle 19, so the field goal unit was called on to put three points on the board. It was not to be, as a Redskin defender got his paw on the ball, blocking the kick and gaining possession. With 10 minutes left on the clock, the Redskins drove downfield utilizing the pass and run game, scoring with 6:53 left on the clock to retie the game at 21-21.

Both teams had one more drive, resulting in a punt for both. The Hurricanes then took a knee when they took possession with 16 ticks left on the clock to take it to overtime.

In the first overtime, both teams attempted field goals, and both were unsuccessful. This brought us into the second overtime period, where the excitement began to ramp up. The Redskins started the overtime period with possession on the 15-yard line. After a short run on first down, the Redskins took to the air, connecting on a 14-yard touchdown pass. Social Circle coaches decided to go for two, and a successful conversion meant that the Hurricanes would have to also score a touchdown and two points to continue playing when they took possession.

Starting from the 15, the Hurricanes had runs of 1, 3, and 2-yards, moving them to the nine-yard line and fourth and four. A do or die down, the Hurricanes put the ball and the game in the hands of senior Stewart. He squeaked around the outside for a gain of five yards, just enough to keep the game and Hurricane hopes alive with the first down run.

Thomas scored on the next play to draw the Hurricanes closer, with the all-important two-point conversion awaiting them to tie the game. Unfortunately, a penalty was assessed on the first play from scrimmage, knocking the try all the way back to the 13-yard line. From there, Thomas worked through the pocket and found Bryan Ridley open on the side of the end zone for the conversion points. Tied again, 29-29.

The new overtime rules require that teams alternate two-point conversion attempts after the second overtime. The Hurricanes possessed the ball first, and scored on a reverse by Owens, outrunning three Redskin defenders and finding the pylon to put the points on the board. This gave the Hurricanes the lead, 31-29.

Social Circle now had their opportunity, throwing a pass to one of their sure-handed receivers. The ball bounced off of his chest, and onto the turf. Hurricanes win.

The win brings the Monticello record to 6-1 overall, 3-0 in region play. This is the first six-win season since 2003, and the longest winning streak (six games), since the 1992 team won 10 in a row.

The sixth win of the season was also coach Ashley Henderson’s 100th career win as a head coach.

The Hurricanes are building up for another big game tomorrow, taking on the big rival Putnam County War Eagles from across the county line. The War Eagles are 4-5 overall, 2-2 in Region 4-A play, but when these two get together, you can throw the records out the window.

Come out to the Hurricane Athletic Complex for Senior Night and cheer on your Hurricanes as they work for win number seven on the season. Go Canes!