by Brian Turrel
The Sumner Academy Sabres needed some late-game heroics from their offense and their defense to overcome the Harmon Hawks’ fourth quarter comeback attempt on Friday evening. Nahshon Houston’s touchdown with 2 1/2 minutes to go gave Sumner the 26-20 victory.
Harmon struck first with a 3-yard touchdown run by Quincy Adams in the first quarter. A long pass to tight end Evan Wyatt was the key play in the drive.
The teams traded fumbles of the rain-slicked ball back and forth into the second quarter, which prevented either one from making a serious challenge.
Sumner got even midway through the second quarter on a Dominic Lee quarterback keeper for a touchdown. Malachi Moore’s run to the half-yard line set up the score.
Taking advantage of a Harmon fumble, Sumner took the lead on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Lee to receiver Donny Bagley with 3 1/2 minutes left in the half.
Sumner had the opportunity for another touchdown to close the half, but they were unable to connect on three pass attempts and a field goal try from the 20-yard line. The half ended with a 13-6 Sumner advantage.
Moore gave the Sabres a two-touchdown advantage with a 22-yard touchdown run with 8 minutes left in the third quarter.
The Hawks pulled closer on a 3-yard touchdown run by Terrance Johnson near the end of the third quarter that made the score 20-12.
Harmon evened the score at 20 with 5 1/2 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Trevontae Rushing returned an interception 80 yards, and Harmon succeeded on the two-point conversion run by Adams.
On the following drive, the Sabres strung together runs from Moore and Houston to march quickly down the field. Houston picked up the game-winning score on a 3-yard run over the right side of his offensive line. An interception by Moore shut down Harmon’s drive.
Sumner’s record in the Kansas City – Atchison League improved to 2-2 (4-3 overall). They will play their final home game of the season against Atchison on Thursday evening at Schlagle Stadium. The Hawks fall to 0-4 in the league (0-7 overall). They will play at Wyandotte on Friday evening at 7 p.m.
