LACONA – Southeast Warren quarterback Sam Seuferer scored as regulation time expired, giving his Warhawks a 50-44 win over Montezuma on Friday night, Aug. 30.
The game was a match of potent offenses. The lead changed hands eight times in the second half alone, and the score was tied twice.
Seuferer and Braves quarterback Brady Boulton traded multiple scoring drives.
Seuferer had an excellent sense of where defenders and his own blockers were, and kept himself in a bubble before throwing his passes. He also threw extremely well across his body, which isn’t an easy throw to make.
Boulton countered with a quick release on his throws and blended that with some option runs, or runs by backs Brett Plants and Broox Stockman.
The game-winning play started from the Braves’ two yard line, on the right right hash mark. Seuferer rolled left but was flushed beyond the crown of the field by a charging Braves defender. Seuferer turned left, then ducked into a pocket of players for the touchdown as the clock went to :00.
Missed opportunities can be killers when the game is close. Montezuma had a few in this one.
Early on, after the Warhawks drove for an 8-0 lead, the Braves pounded it down to the 10-yard line. From there, Boulton went back to pass. He threw an interception at the goal line, while another potential receiver ran free in the back of the end zone.
After the Braves tied the score at 36-36 with 9:53 left in the fourth quarter, they executed an onside kickoff and Rose picked up the loose ball at the Southeast Warren 28, then the teams traded turnovers.
Brett Plants was doing some heavy inside running now, and the Braves pushed the ball down to the 8. From there, Boulton bounced to the outside and scored.
On a try for two points, the snap sailed over Boulton’s head, but he retrieved the ball, found that Rose had kept himself alive as a receiver, and hit him with a pass midway back in the end zone. Montezuma led 44-36 with 8:10 left.
Seuferer counted with a 30-yard touchdown pass and a two-point conversion, and it was 44-44 with 6:15 left.
Montezuma went three-and-out and punted. On third down, Rose intercepted near midfield, but the ball was knocked loose and Southeast Warren was on it.
The Tigerhawks were now set up for their final drive and the last play. Which I described earlier.
The Braves had trouble putting pressure on Seuferer and even dropped an extra man back off the line late in the game. The Warhawk quarterback was 26-for-35 (.743) for 311 yards and three touchdowns, with two passes intercepted. He rushed five times for 15 yards, but two of those were touchdowns.
Trey Fisher rushed 19 times for 90 yards and 2 scores.
Brogan Ewing caught 12 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown for Southeast Warren, and Jamison Ewing caught 7 for 100 yards and 2 scores.
Boulton was 13-for-24 for 125 yards and two scores for the Braves.
Montezuma fullback Brett Plants had a monster game on the ground, pounding 24 times for 143 yards and two scores.
The Braves’ short passing game was spot on. Rose caught 3 balls for 58 yards and a score, Carter Michalek ran under 7 for 44 yards, Plants caught 3 for 16 and Lars Taylor caught one for a 7-yard touchdown.
Luke Erselius had 8.0 tackles, with 6 of them solo.
But here comes that man Seuferer again. He had 12.0 tackles, with 9 of them solos. He also intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble.
Jamison Ewing actually led all tacklers with 13.5 stops, 6 of them solo.
It was exhausting to watch and keep track of, but it must have been devastating to play in. Guys on both teams must have felt like an army had marched across their tongues or had camped out on their calf muscles.
UP NEXT – Montezuma opens district play against Moravia on Friday night at Badger-Gabriel Field.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 0 12 18 14 – 44
S.E. Warren 8 8 20 14 – 50
Braves stats
Passing – Brady Boulton 13-24, 125 yards, 2 touchdowns, one interception.
Rushing – Brett Plants 24-143, 2 touchdowns; Brady Boulton 12-77, 1 touchdown; Broox Stockman 14-50, 2 touchdowns. Total: 50-270, 5 touchdowns.
Receiving – David Rose 3-58. 1 touchdown; Carter Michalek 7-44; Brett Plants 3-16; Lars Taylor 1-7, one touchdown. Total: 13-125, 2 touchdowns.
Tackles – Luke Erselius 8.0 with (6) solo; Broox Stockman 6.0 with (3) and 1.5 tackles for loss; Carter Michalek 5.0 with Z(3); Briar Simpson 4.5 with (1), 1 tackle for loss; Brady Boulton 3.5 with (3); Brett Plants 3.5 with (2); Houston Van Roekel 2.5 with (1), 0.5 tackles for loss; David Rose 3.0 with (2); Luke Brennan 2.5 with (2); Braxton Plants 2.0 with (1); Breck Simpson 1.5 with (1); Rett Pargeom 0.5. Lars Taylor 0.5.
Interceptions – Rose 1-7, Stockman 1-11.
Kickoff returns – Boulton 3-41, Taylor 1-2.
Kickoffs – Erselius 8-255.
Punts – Erselius 1-34.
Two-point conversions – Rose.
SE Warren leaders
Passing – Cam Seuferer 26-35 (.743), 311 yards, 3 touchdowns; 2 interceptions.
Rushing – Trey Fisher 19-90, two touchdowns; Seuferer 5-15, two touchdowns;
Receiving – Brogan Ewing 12-138, one touchdown; Jamison Ewing 7-100, 2 touchdowns.
Tackles – Seuferer 12.0 with (9) solos; Jamison Ewing 13.5 with (6).
Seuferer also recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass.