Woodstock’s final drive does in Hampshire
The final momentum swing went Woodstock’s way.
Alan Hafer hit Mitch Kohley with a 14-yard touchdown pass with 59 seconds left as the Blue Streaks came back to defeat Hampshire, 35-32, in Fox Valley Conference Fox Division action in Hampshire Friday night.
The Whip-Pursm who will now have to win their final two games to be playoff eligible, trailed 28-8 and were given up for dead after Woodstock scored 28 unanswered points in the second quarter. But Hampshire’s ground game took control after the break, leading to 3 rushing touchdowns by Phil LaPointe and a 32-28 Hampshire lead.
Hafey led the Blue Streaks on an improbable final drive that included a pair of fourth-down completions.
Hampshire (3-4, 2-2) had one final chance, but Kyle Anderson’s fourth-down pass was tipped away.
“I don’t think a lot of people gave us much of a chance at halftime,” said Hampshire coach Dan Cavanaugh. “Except for our guys. That was a heckuva comeback.”
The running game led the comeback. With the offensive line opening gaping holes, LaPointe and Nick Kielbasa combined for 210 yards in the second half alone. LaPointe finished with 141 yards and the 3 scores, and Kielbasa added 133 yards and a touchdown. In all, the Whip-Purs rushed for 330 yards.
The explosion in the running game didn’t involve anything fancy.
“We didn’t mess around anymore, we came back to our bread and butter,” Cavanaugh said. “We just went with it, and that basically was the difference.”
Hampshire dominated the first quarter. The Whips tackled Woodstock tailback Mike Santucci for a safety on the Streaks’ first possession, then Kielbasa scored on the ensuing drive to make it 8-0.
Woodstock (3-4, 2-3) roared back in the second quarter, scoring 4 times. Hafer threw touchdown passes to Jordan Sumner and Matt Swedberg, and scored himself on a 68-yard run. Santucci also scored.
The football gods so smiled on Woodstock in the second period that Hampshire cornerback Brendan Waterworth tipped away a pass, but it sailed straight into Sumner’s arms in the end zone.