York Catholic powers through mud, holds off Hanover
Hanover quarterback Logan Brown was covered in mud even before the second half began, his white jersey splattered brown.
But he just kept his legs moving forward, finding just enough holes in the York Catholic defense to keep a drive going, and keep Hanover's only hopes of staying in the game alive.
Starting at Hanover's own 1-yard line, Brown marched his team 88 yards downfield only to see the York Catholic defense hold at the 11-yard line. The Irish finally stopped Brown and the Nighthawks, taking over on downs. York Catholic preserved the shutout and ran out the final seconds in a 14-0 homecoming victory for the Irish.
"We kept them scoreless, and that's what matters," York Catholic's Jakkar Kinard said. "We got the W."
After Hanover's defense held York Catholic out of the end zone on a fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Brown and Hanover assembled the 23-play drive. It was Hanover's best scoring chance of the night. The Nighthawks converted three third downs and a fourth down during the drive, but in the end York Catholic made the stop.
"They are physical, scrappy kids," York Catholic coach Eric Depew said about Hanover.
"I'm not happy with them driving the field like that, but with the conditions on the field the way they were to come away with the goose egg on the scoreboard tonight is a great way to end the first half of the season."
York Catholic (4-1, 2-0 YAIAA Division III) had built its lead thanks to the consistent work of York Catholic running back Jakkar Kinard. The senior had rolled up 20 carries and 120 yards by halftime. His 21-yard touchdown run in the first quarter was ultimately all the Irish would need. When the Irish needed a couple more yards, Kinard kept the Irish moving.
"It was bad, but we wanted to play in it," Kinard said.
"I love playing in the mud ... we handled it well."
York Catholic capped the scoring when Dan Yokemick completed a 16-yard pass to Ryan Sewell in the second quarter. It was one of just four passing attempts by Yokemick in the game, catching Hanover (2-3, 0-2) unprepared.
"It was nice, we had the good side of the field (without the mud), and it worked," Yokemick said. "(Sewell) did his job and got open."
Hanover_0_0_0_0_—_0
York Catholic_7_7_0_0_—_14
First Quarter
YC – Jakkar Kinard 21 run (Nick Basile kick), 11:53.
Second Quarter
YC – Ryan Sewell 16 pass from Dan Yokemick (Basile kick), 1:07.
_H_ YC
First downs_11_17
Rushes-Yards_44-143_56-253
Passing_5-13-2_2-4-1
Passing Yards_32_20
Total Yards_175_273
Punts_5-27.4_1-25
Fumbles-Lost_0-0_3-1
Penalties-Yards_-7-50_6-55
Rushing — H, Justin Barnes 12-51, Logan Brown 22-78, Jeffrey Jacoby 3-4, Resean Williams 7-10. YC, Kinard 38-189. Yokemick 17-62, Kyle Dormer 1-2.
Passing — H, Brown 5-9-1-32, Jacoby 0-4-2-0. YC, Yokemick 2-4-1-20.
Receiving — H, Resean Williams 3-15, Fabian Lara 1-13, Theo Johnson 1-4. YC, Ryan Sewell 1-16, Riley Brennan 1-4.