Bartlett completes win over Larkin

It took nearly 24 hours and 2 different fields, but Bartlett became playoff eligible by defeating U-46 rival Larkin, 29-6.

The Hawks were leading 22-6, but the Royals were on the move when storms swept across Bartlett's new on-campus field Friday night. Larkin had first and goal from the Bartlett 9-yard line when play was suspended Friday night.

But the Hawks' defense had time to regroup overnight and, when play resumed on the artificial turf of Millennium Field, Bartlett kept the Royals out of the end zone 4 straight times.

Spencer Konstanzer sacked Larkin quarterback Jaxon Aubry on fourth down. The Hawks then proceeded to drive 83 yards for the clinching score, a 7-yard pass from Jonah O'Brien to Alec Palella.

"It's a different situation. We came out here, weird, no one out here, the guys aren't used to that," said Bartlett coach Matt Erlenbaugh. "We got right into the game. It was right before the fourth quarter, so we just had to make sure that we were the team that was most ready to go."

The timing of Friday's storm could have been better from Larkin's perspective.

"You come out, you put something together, but if you don't execute it you're not going to do it," said Larkin acting coach Jason Aubry. "It's a tough situation that the kids came out in here. Last night we were rolling. It happens. There's nothing you can do about it."

Bartlett tailback Nick Deckard helped the Hawks control the ball, gaining 127 yards on 32 carries. O'Brien finished 10 of 20 for 111 yards, hitting 8 different receivers. His counterpart, Jaxon Aubry, hit 12 of 29 for 148 yards.

Konstanzer was also a force on defense with a pair of sacks and a pass breakup. Tony DeRosa and Liam Gallagher snagged interceptions for Bartlett.

Bartlett (5-2, 5-2) got the critical fifth win for playoff eligibility while Larkin dropped to 3-4, 3-4.

Friday night, the Hawks took control with 2 touchdowns in 13 seconds. O'Brien hit Tyler Rivelli for a score and, on the next play, DeRosa came up with a pick-6.