Haywood leads Wildcats’ second-half rally
By Bill Pfeiffer
The Columbus Dispatch
LANCASTER, Ohio- High school football is a game of emotion, and Hilliard Davidson’s Christen Haywood was madder than a nest of hornets at halftime of a Division I regional quarterfinal last night.
The junior tailback, who rushed for more than 1,500 yards this season, was held to 40 yards on seven carries by Lancaster, coach Brian White took his star out of the game late in the second quarter in an attempt to quell what was quickly becoming a heated affair.
“There was way too much pushing and shoving and stuff I don’t want to be associated with,” White said.
Haywood gathered himself during intermission and scored two second-half touchdowns. He finished with 127 yards to lead the Wildcats to a 28-25 victory.
Lancaster, which led 17-7 at halftime, was outplayed in the second half but nearly sent the game to overtime. Paul Seiberling’s 58-yard field goal attempt as time expired fell 5 yards short, ending a wild conclusion to as seesaw game.
Davidson (10-1), the No.6 seed in Region 3, scored on two of its first three possessions in the second half. A 2-yard plunge by Haywood early in the fourth quarter gave the Wildcats a 28-17 lead.
To that point, Lancaster had 7 yards of offense in the second half. But on their ensuing possession, the Gales (8-3) marched 78 yards in six plays to pull within a field goal. Ryan Peden had 55 yards receiving on the drive, including a 10-yard touchdown.
The Gales moved into Wildcats territory on their last possession and gave Seiberling a chance to send the game into overtime. The senior won the season opener against Logan with a 45-yarder, and Lancaster coach Rob Carpenter was hoping for another miracle.
“I thought (the field goal) was our best chance,” Carpenter said. “We probably wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Paul, so I thought I’d give him a shot.”
Lancaster’s defense, which had allowed 102 points in the last two games, stood tall for most of the game.
“Coach (White) told us at halftime that this is a defense that’s been giving up points and they were pounding us,” said Davidson’s Chris Miller, who had a 45-yard touchdown run and a 66-yard scoring reception. “Thankfully we got it turned around in the second half.”
The Columbus Dispatch
LANCASTER, Ohio- High school football is a game of emotion, and Hilliard Davidson’s Christen Haywood was madder than a nest of hornets at halftime of a Division I regional quarterfinal last night.
The junior tailback, who rushed for more than 1,500 yards this season, was held to 40 yards on seven carries by Lancaster, coach Brian White took his star out of the game late in the second quarter in an attempt to quell what was quickly becoming a heated affair.
“There was way too much pushing and shoving and stuff I don’t want to be associated with,” White said.
Haywood gathered himself during intermission and scored two second-half touchdowns. He finished with 127 yards to lead the Wildcats to a 28-25 victory.
Lancaster, which led 17-7 at halftime, was outplayed in the second half but nearly sent the game to overtime. Paul Seiberling’s 58-yard field goal attempt as time expired fell 5 yards short, ending a wild conclusion to as seesaw game.
Davidson (10-1), the No.6 seed in Region 3, scored on two of its first three possessions in the second half. A 2-yard plunge by Haywood early in the fourth quarter gave the Wildcats a 28-17 lead.
To that point, Lancaster had 7 yards of offense in the second half. But on their ensuing possession, the Gales (8-3) marched 78 yards in six plays to pull within a field goal. Ryan Peden had 55 yards receiving on the drive, including a 10-yard touchdown.
The Gales moved into Wildcats territory on their last possession and gave Seiberling a chance to send the game into overtime. The senior won the season opener against Logan with a 45-yarder, and Lancaster coach Rob Carpenter was hoping for another miracle.
“I thought (the field goal) was our best chance,” Carpenter said. “We probably wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Paul, so I thought I’d give him a shot.”
Lancaster’s defense, which had allowed 102 points in the last two games, stood tall for most of the game.
“Coach (White) told us at halftime that this is a defense that’s been giving up points and they were pounding us,” said Davidson’s Chris Miller, who had a 45-yard touchdown run and a 66-yard scoring reception. “Thankfully we got it turned around in the second half.”