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[Rocketcorner News]

By Jim Oberhaus

McComb’s Quick Start Falls Short

The Division VII Quarter Final football game matched Hicksville (6-4) traveling to McComb (8-2). Both teams had considerable playoff experience and losses to quality opponents, so a hard fought game was expected.

McComb started the game on their own 35 after an Aces kick-off went out-of-bounds. The Panthers started with their “bread and butter” ground attack using a huge dosage of Gibson, Dysert, and QB- Grubbs. Gibson capped it off with a run from the 4 yard line for the first score. The PAT was good and the score McComb 7 - Hicksville 0 with 8:04 left in the first qtr.

Hicksville, starting on their own 30, the first play from scrimmage Johns goes around end and takes it to the house. But a holding penalty brought it all back. However, remember that name because there is more to come from Caleb Johns. But after the penalty, Hicksville went 3 and out, punting the ball back to McComb.

Starting on their own 20, the Panthers marched down the field with a nice succession of first downs: Dysert 11yd run, Gibson 13 yd run, pass to Schroeder for 15 yds, Grubb on a QB keeper for 10 yds. Gibson rushed for another 12 and 16 yards down to the 1yard line. After a holding call, Gibson took a 11 yard run in for the TD. PAT was good and the score now McComb 14, Hicksville 0 with 2:28 left in the first quarter. It seemed like the McComb running game was unstoppable.

However, it didn’t take long for Kales Johns to put the Aces on the score board with a 50 yard scamper for the first Aces score with 1:21 left in the first period. A good PAT made the score 14-7, McComb. The Aces kick-off went out-of-bounds again. With McComb starting once again on the 35, one would think another Panther score was eminent. The first quarter ended with the score McComb 14- Hicksville 7.

In the 2nd quarter, defenses took over as did the yellow flags. Both teams went into locker at half with Panthers leading the Aces by a score of 14-7.

To start the second half, McComb tried to catch the Aces off guard with a failed on-sides kick. Hicksville started their drive on their own 43 yard line. On first down, the QB Giesige got sacked for a 6 yard loss, which put them behind schedule. The Aces were unable to convert and were forced to punt.

McComb started their first possession of the second half on their own 17 yard line. Jonathan Crall stepped in front of a Clay Grubb pass and took the interception down to the McComb 1 yard line. Johns ran in for the TD and with a good PAT, the score was now 14-14 with 9:36 left in the 3rd quarter. It was a new ball game.

Hicksville’s run defense stiffened. Instead of gaining 10 - 15 yard per rush like in the first qtr, McComb was now gaining 2-3 yards. However with 4:26 left in the 3rd Quarter, Gibson broke off a 21 TD run. With a good PAT, the score was now McComb 21 - Hicksville 14 with 4:26 left in the third quarter.

Hicksville could get nothing going on their next possession and had to punt. On the run-back McComb was flagged with a block in the back so the 3rd quarter ended with McComb on their own 3 yd line leading 21-14 .

With a nice mix of runs and passes and converting on critical 3rd downs, the Panthers confidently ground out a long, time-consuming drive all the way to the Aces 23 yard line. However, a critical 4th down pass fell incomplete, so Aces got the ball back with 4:41 left in the game.

On Hicksville’s second play, Johns took a reverse for a 77 yard TD. PAT was good and the game was now tied at 21 with 3:44 left.

Next possession McComb had a pair of passes fall incomplete and had to punt. Aces got the ball on their own 9 yard line with 2:28 left, but could not get a first down. They had to punt and it went out of bounds on their own 36 yard line with 1:22 left in the game.

McComb needed one drive, but Hicksville was not to be denied. The Aces’ Karacson made a great interception on their own 26 yard line. It took just two plays for the Aces to score as Johns went around end for the game winner, a 69 yard TD run. PAT good. Hicksville 28, McComb 21 with only 59 ticks on the clock.

McComb could do nothing on their last effort of the season. McComb bowed out and Hicksville goes on to meet Arlington with a final score 28-21.

Congratulations to McComb on a very successful season and good luck to the Aces as they continue!