Abilene Suffers Heartbreaker at Andover

Abilene Suffers Heartbreaker at Andover

by Erik Graefe

Friday night at Andover District Stadium, the Abilene Cowboys and Andover Central Jaguars played a game that will likely go down in history as one of the classics where high school play-off football is concerned. The Jaguars controlled the first half, pulling out to what appeared a safe lead of 28-7. The second half was nearly a mirror image of the first with the Cowboys finding themselves and imposing their will on the Jaguars. Abilene won the second half by a score of 27-7, making the final score 35-34 in favor of Andover Central. To say it was a shame either team had to lose is cliché, but true in this case.

Bender to Wilson - Click to See Video

The Cowboys would learn much about themselves in the second half. They could have easily folded, resting on the laurels of a 9 win season. They refused. Clearly inspired by whatever was said in the locker room at half-time, the Cowboys took the opening possession of the second half right down the field for a touchdown. The drive concluded with senior quarterback Harley Hazlett finding Parker O’Neal open in the end zone with a 10 yard strike. Both defenses stiffened after that, and the score was 28-14 heading in to the final quarter. Abilene began the final quarter with another impressive drive, this one concluded with a strong run from senior Trey Bender bringing the Cowboys to within one score at 28-21. The Jaguars answered with a drive of their own extending their lead again to 14 at 35-21. Typically, trailing by 14 in the fourth quarter is reason to concede a football game. Not this game, not this team.

Hazlett again led his team down the field on a drive featuring a beautiful 30 yard pass and catch to senior receiver Dylan Ford. Ford’s catch put the Cowboy offense within striking distance, setting up another Bender touchdown run. The Cowboys trailed with 6 minutes remaining 35-28. Central marched down to the Cowboy 20 and were forced to attempt a field goal by the suddenly stout Abilene defense. The attempt was no good setting the stage for Hazlett and the offense to mount a game tying drive. It only took the Cowboys two plays. Steve Simpson dug deep in to his playbook dialing up a half back pass. Trey Bender threw a perfect strike to Ryan Wilson for a 62 yard touchdown. The excitement was short lived for the Cowboys as they were unable to convert the extra point. With two minutes remaining, Central led by a score of 35-34. That is how this classic game ended, Andover Central would move on and Abilene and their fans would be left heartbroken.

Bender Catch and Run - Click to See Video

It will take some time for Coach Simpson’s Cowboys to gain some perspective on the 2015 season, but when they do, they will take great pride in what they were able to accomplish. They have gained the respect and admiration of the Abilene community as well as their gratitude for making 2015 one of the most entertaining and enjoyable in recent memory. These Cowboys continued a mission began last year when Simpson’s program vowed to enter the upper echelon of football programs in 4A-1. This edition of the Cowboys won 2 of 3 games in the most difficult district in 4A-1 and won a road playoff game against a very fine Ulysses team. Perhaps more meaningful is how they competed all year, even in those two games where they came up short on the scoreboard.

Abilene fans will remember for years the names Hazlett, Bender, LaCombe, Tope, Ford, Funston, Fitzgeralds, Mayden, Tarn, Garcia, Liby, Erich, and Wilson. Those are just the seniors who’ve made a nearly incalculable contribution to the legacy of Abilene football. There are underclassmen who will be remembered as well, but their chapter in Abilene Cowboy lore is yet to be concluded.

Congratulations to this year’s Abilene Football Cowboys, and “thank you” from the Abilene community.