CORDOVA — Needing to make something happen in the waning moments of Wednesday’s Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference contest, Cordova Middle School’s Freddie Hill did just that.
With the Cavaliers tied 6-6 against visiting Anson Middle School, which entered the game undefeated, Hill made the play of the season for Cordova.
On fourth-and-goal from the four-yard line, Hill undercut an out route to the right side of the end zone, intercepting an Anson pass and racing 102 yards to the house for the eventual game-winning score with 1:06 left on the clock.
Quarterback Isaiah Lockhart pummeled ahead for the two-point conversion to give the Cavs a 14-6 lead, which would prove to be the final score.
“Our defense was on fire today,” head coach Richard Kerekes commented after the game. “They contained the run really well. Offensively, we moved the ball the best we have all season.
“There was one bad miscommunication that gave up the one touchdown, but we played ball together as a team today,” he continued. “Freddie had that big play for us late to put us ahead.”
Anson had taken over with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, and drove the field inside Cordova’s five-yard line. Just two plays before Hill’s highlight reel interception return, the Bearcats had scored but were flagged for holding, negating the six points.
Cordova’s defense still had to hold Anson out of the end zone during the final 60 seconds, and used three straight plays to force a turnover. On first down Hill recorded a pass break up on the near sideline, and that was followed by a quarterback sack from Adam Simpson on second down.
With the clock winding inside the final half minute, Kruz Kollermier leapt up and made the Cavaliers’ second interception in under 45 seconds. The pick sealed the deal and saw Cordova enter victory formation with 26.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
“We’ve been telling the players since day one we have the talent and the speed, the strength and the guys who can make great plays,” Kerekes explained. “But we didn’t have the confidence or the heart all the time.
“But now that we’re a couple of weeks in, they showed the heart and dedication today that makes us a championship (contending) team,” he added.
Head coach Richard Kerekes celebrates Cordova’s win over Anson on Tuesday.
In what proved to be a low-scoring affair for most of the game, Cordova took the opening kickoff and drove ball to Anson 30-yard line. But a blindside block penalty sent Cordova back to midfield and the drive stalled.
Following an interception on that drive, Anson threw a 50-yard touchdown pass on the first play. The two-point try was no good and the Bearcats led 6-0 early.
After both teams traded interceptions and punts, Cordova stopped Anson on fourth-and-goal to send the game into halftime with no score change.
Out of the break, the Cavs’ defense forced a punt on Anson’s first drive, which resulted in a touchdown march for the home team. Lockhart would connect with Hill on a 20 yard passing play to knot the game 6-6.
Vance Goodwin, Cordova’s kicker, executed a perfect onside kick and got help from his teammates. After Eric Greene knocked the ball loose, Tykeem Ellerbe fell on top of the ball to give the Cavs another chance. However, that drive would end at the 10-yard line when a pass fell incomplete.
Cordova improved to 3-2 on the season and 2-1 in the West division, setting up a three-way tie between Cordova, Anson and Rockingham middle schools.
The Cavs will play SEMSAC East opponent Sandy Grove Middle School next Wednesday on the road starting at 4:15 p.m. It will be the regular-season finale.
Coaches Allen Adeimy, Richard Kerekes and Kyle Pillar contributed to this story.
