Hillsdale fourth quarter rally takes down Onsted 29-28; Hornets end season on a high note

Joseph Flaherty, Hillsdale Daily News

October 24, 2022 at 10:34 AM·4 min read

Hornet running backs Stephen Petersen (14), Jordan Barnes and Peter Moore.

ONSTED, Mich. — At the end of the season, teams can expect a hard-fought game from their opponents regardless of their record going into the matchup. The Hillsdale varsity Hornet football team faced such a challenge when they traveled to Onsted for a game against the 1-7 Wildcats.

The Hornets were down 28-15 entering the fourth quarter. Luke Manders completed two touchdown passes in the first half to help the Wildcats maintain a 14-8 lead heading into the third quarter. Hornet senior Jordan Barnes had the highlight play of his season with a 90-yard rushing touchdown in the first half. Hornet quarterback Jack Bowles connected with Draydon Eckelberry for the two-point conversion.

Wildcat Aidan Paquin returned a fumble by the Hornets for an 84-yard touchdown, and the Wildcats took a 20-8 lead in the middle of the third quarter. With 5:33 remaining in the third quarter, Hornet running back Kodi Zuver took off for a 41-yard touchdown run. Every point-after attempt from senior Jack Granata was successful during the second half.

Onsted struck back with a screen pass from Luke Manders-to-Cannon Ruttofsky for a 72-yard touchdown, with just three minutes to go in the third quarter. Scoring would come to a standstill for the rest of the quarter, and for most of the fourth quarter. The Hornets entered the fourth quarter down 15-28.

The Hornets put together a long-sustained drive to strike back with four minutes remaining in the game. Hunter Wilson punched it in from two yards out. The Hornets were back within a score down 22-28. The Hornet defense looked for their big break in the game. It would come on the ensuing possession, where the Hornets recovered a Wildcat fumble to set up their potential go-ahead touchdown drive.

The Hornets got it in on a Stephen Petersen nine-yard touchdown run with two minutes remaining. The game would end with a great defensive effort from the Hornets, sealing their 29-28 comeback victory. The Hornets ended the season with a 4-5 overall record, but there were major highlights for individual players in this game.

Hornets Stephen Petersen (14) and Jordan Barnes (21) from earlier this season.

The Hornets dominated offensively with their rushing game. The Hornet running backs combined for 386 total yards. Senior Jordan Barnes ran for 152 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries. Barnes also hauled in one reception for 17 yards. Stephen Petersen ran 12 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. Senior Kodi Zuver ran six times for 83 yards and a score. Zuver had a 41-yard rushing attempt. Hunter Wilson ran 10 times for 44 yards and a score. Wilson also hauled in two receptions for 62 yards, including a long of 59 yards. Lincoln Kope had one reception for 10 yards. Jack Bowles through four passes for a total of 89 yards.

Defensively, Stephen Petersen had nine tackles. Bradley Ellsworth had five tackles and two passes blocked. Draydon Eckelberry had four tackles, including a sack for 14 yards. Clayton Bowditch had three tackles and six credited assisted tackles. Shaun Mcguire had three tackles. Jace Ringman had three tackles. Kodi Zuver had three tackles. Jordan Barnes had two tackles, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery. Jon Petersen had two tackles including a sack, and a pass blocked. Jack Bowles had one tackle and an interception, as well as a pass blocked. Colton Wolf had one tackle. Jack Granata had one tackle. Hunter Wilson had a fumble recovery and a blocked pass. Declan Flannery had a fumble recovery.

The Hornet football team and Homecoming Queen Erica Lemerand.

The Hornets send off their seniors on a high note. The Hornets have carried at least 15 seniors on the team this fall including Kodi Zuver, Clayton Bowditch, Brody Young, Grant Ally, Peter Moore, Jacob Davis, Jordan Barnes, Shaun McGuire, Gavin Wickham, Noah Mosher, Trevor Wagler, Draydon Eckleberry, Jack Granata, Bradley Ellsworth and Thalon Forant.

The Hornets' 2022 journey started in the obstacle courses of Fort Custer

The Hornets' journey this season started with a return to Fort Custer and ended with a double-digit comeback win at Onsted. The Hornets managed to beat their 2021 record of 3-6. In a season filled with players battling through injuries and facing tough conference opponents, the Hornet seniors left their mark on the program. The Hornet coaching staff, including head coach Mark Lemerand, will look to take the program back to the playoffs next fall.

Hornet season stats will be including in the week nine recap.

For more sports, follow The Daily News Sports Account on Twitter and reporter Joe Flaherty on Twitter

Story Suggestions: jflaherty@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale defeats Onsted and ends season with a 4-5 overall record

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