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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
