Hilmar makes game-winning field goal in final seconds to hand Atwater its first loss
Hilmar High junior Jacob Sward shook off two missed field goals earlier in the game and delivered a clutch game-winning kick in the final seconds.
Sward’s 29-yard field goal lifted the Yellowjackets to a 24-23 victory over Atwater at Dave Honey Stadium on Friday night to spoil the Falcons’ homecoming festivities.
“(Sward) is that kid, nothing really bothers him,” said Hilmar head coach Frank Marques, whose team improved to 2-1 with their second one-point victory over Atwater in consecutive seasons.
Atwater (3-1) had just taken its first lead of the game at 23-21 on a 40-yard field goal by Trevor Hill with 4:26 remaining.
The Yellowjackets started their final drive at their own 25-yard line with 4:21 left on the clock.
Twice Hilmar had to convert on fourth downs to extend the drive, once drawing Atwater defenders offside and the second time moving the chains with a 5-yard run.
Yellowjackets quarterback Merek Ellerd then made a big play, connecting with Leo Nunes on a 21-yard pass play to send Hilmar into the red zone with under 20 seconds left.
The Yellowjackets then dodged a bullet when Ellerd’s pass into the end zone was dropped by Atwater linebacker Ezra Gutierrez with about 10 seconds left.
Marques then opted for the field goal and Sward drilled it through the uprights to set off a wild celebration.
“You miss those first two, and it kind of brings you down,” Sward said. “But then you get that one chance at the end of the game to win it all and you make it, it feels great.”
Hilmar star Caden Bailey saw his first action of the season after sitting out the first two games to allow his hamstring injury he suffered during track season this past spring to heal.
“The last three years we’ve had No. 9 in the backfield, and he’s special,” Marques said. “He just makes things happen. There’s a lot of pressure on the defense to try to stop him.”
Bailey quickly made an impact, scoring a touchdown on his first carry, running 11 yards around the left end to give the Yellowjackets a 7-0 lead with 9:43 left in the first quarter.
As Bailey scored he shouted, “I’m here!”
After Atwater fumbled for the second time in the opening quarter, the Yellowjackets took over at the Falcons’ 30-yard line. Four plays later, Bailey scored his second touchdown on a 6-yard run despite an Atwater defender ripping off Bailey’s helmet and scraping his nose.
Bailey rushed for 82 yards and those two touchdowns on 12 carries.
“I had so much emotion,” Bailey said. “I was in tears before the game started, just because it’s my senior year, I missed the first couple of games. I kept thinking I got to show out. I think I did.”
The Falcons, who were trying to start 4-0 for the first time since 1998, battled back with some big plays. Jeremiah Delarosa scored two touchdowns, running in a score from 11-yards out in the second quarter and scoring on a 57-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
AJ Banks also connected with receiver Sylas Austin for a 90-yard touchdown late in the first half.
Falcons coach Seneca Ybarra was happy to see his team fight back and have a chance to win, but he felt his players let some outside noise after a 3-0 start affect them.
“We need to quit reading our paper clips a little bit,” Ybarra said. “It’s good to have success, but we really have to learn how to roll with it a little bit.”
The Yellowjackets got big contributions from Ellerd, who kept drives alive with his arm and legs. Senior receiver John Labno caught five passes for 102 yards and Nathan Ayala and Tanner Westmoreland came up with key plays.
Bailey says Hilmar’s ability to beat Atwater should prove the Yellowjackets can be a contender in the Trans-Valley League.
“They’re a great team, an amazing football team, I don’t want to discredit them at all, but I think it shows that we’re here,” Bailey said. “Like I said after the first touchdown, ‘We’re here.’ Not just I’m here, we’re here.”
This story was originally published September 14, 2024 at 12:16 AM.
