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New QB sparks Hanover's upset over Fairfield


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On a three-game slide and on the road against one of the YAIAA's bright stories of the 2016 season, the Hanover Nighthawks turned to an inexperienced quarterback and their ground game to get back to their winning ways with a 42-7 victory over Fairfield on Friday.

The latter, Justin Barnes, came through as he has all season, with 21 carries for a robust 217 yards.

The former, however, was a little more unexpected.

Sophomore running back Logan Brown made his first varsity start at quarterback, replacing Cam Mumma, and was brilliant in his own right.

Yes, there were flashes of that great running back skill. In one instance, Brown picked up a fumbled snap and was contained in the pocket, but simply outran the defensive end to pick up 22 yards.

He also looked comfortable throwing the ball  from the pocket, slicing up the defense to the tune of 11-of-17 for 135 yards through the air.

"The plays were there, our guys were getting open, I just made the most of it," Brown said. "I'm excited (for another opportunity) next week."

It was a slow start for both offenses, as Fairfield punted and lost a fumble, and Brown threw an interception.

The Hawks picked it up on their second drive, however.

Brown completed a fourth down pass to Hunter Martz and, two plays later, Barnes dashed his way to a 6-yard touchdown.

Barnes carried the next drive, rushing for 12 and 15 yards before diving across the goal line for a majestic 20-yard touchdown with 2.9 seconds left in the first quarter.

His most momentous run of the night came after a Fairfield penalty set up fourth-and-1 near midfield.

Hanover pulled the punt team off and went for it, giving the ball to Barnes.

He broke away from contact at the line and navigated his way 51-yards to the end zone.

"All game, our line had been stepping up," Barnes said. "They knew that on fourth-and-1, we didn't just want one yard, we wanted them all, and we got it."

Fairfield clawed back to within two scores when Jordan Angerette's interception set up Fairfield at the Hanover 41.

Two big third-down throws by Darian Mort set up his own 1-yard quarterback keeper late in the second quarter.

Hanover missed an opportunity to get that score right back when Barnes ripped off a 78-yard run, but fumbled two plays later at the 1.

However, Barnes' third score of the night early in the third quarter took the wind out of Fairfield's sails.

Hunter Martz' spectacular one-handed catch and run for a touchdown highlighted the fourth quarter.

"You have to give credit to Hanover," Fairfield head coach Darwin Seiler said. "That's a good team, but we didn't execute tonight, and we had turnovers that we really haven't had."

Hanover_14_7_7_14_—_42    
Fairfield_0_7_0_0_—_7 

First Quarter 
Han -- Justin Barnes 6 run (Everett Kenworthy kick), 2:42 
Han -- Barnes 22 run (Kenworthy kick), 0:03 
Second Quarter 
Han -- Barnes 51 run (Kenworthy kick), 7:33
F -- Darian Mort 1 run (Mort kick), 3:20 
Third Quarter 
Han -- Barnes 5 run (Kenworthy kick), 7:48 
Fourth Quarter
Han -- Resean Williams 4 run (Kenworthy kick), 11:28 
Han -- Hunter Martz 23 pass from Logan Brown (Kenworthy kick), 7:24 
Team statistics
 _._Han_ F 
First downs_18_17 
Rushes-Yards_47-403_35-81 
Passing_11-17-2_12-33-0 
Passing Yards_135_162 
Total Yards_538_243
Punts_0-0.0_2-37.0 
Fumbles-Lost_6-2_3-2
Penalties-Yards_10-108_4-20 
Individual statistics
Rushing —
Hanover, Justin Barnes 21-217, Logan Brown 12-128, Resean Williams 11-56, Griffin Driscoll 2-11, Jeffrey Jacoby 1-(-9). Fairfield, Charlie Burnett 22-75, Jonas Holz 1-12, Garrett Stadler 4-19, Darian Mort 8-(-25).
Passing — Hanover, Brown 11-17-2-135, Jacoby 0-0-0-0. Fairfield, Mort 12-31-0-162, Zach Koons 0-2-0-0. 
Receiving — Hanover, Williams 3-31, Hunter Martz 2-34, Barnes 2-21, Fabian Lara 1-28, Dylon Stair 1-10, Theo Johnson 1-8, Josh Postell 1-3. Fairfield, Holz 5-71, Trystan Griffith 3-44, Burnett 2-26, Nick Wheeler 2-21.