Spencer Brown scored four touchdowns, including three rushing TD’s, as ROWVA-Williamsfield advanced to the second round of the Class 1A playoffs for the second straight season, defeating Sterling Newman, 28-14. But it was a daring fourth down fake punt early in the fourth quarter that helped turn the tide for the Cougars, which improved to 8-2.
Leading 20-14 and facing a 4th-and-5 from their own 43 with just under 10 minutes left in the game, Coach Grant Gullstrand called a fake punt, which the Cougars converted with a 29-yard pass play from Preston Schroeder to tight end Talan Hull. The play earned both players co-honors for the Dave’s Autobody Crunch Time Player of the Game. ROWVA-Willamsfield went on to complete a game-clinching 11-play scoring drive, capped off by Brown’s third rushing TD, to take a two-touchdown lead, which capped off the scoring.
Devonte Noel sealed the victory with an interception at the 3:01 mark of the final quarter, and the Cougars ran out the clock by converting two more first downs.
The Cougars will play at home in round 2 of the 1A playoffs next Saturday at 2 p.m. against Lincoln Trail rival Stark County (10-0), which won its opening-round game Friday night, 34-20 over Princeville. The Rebels handed ROWVA-Williamsfield its first loss of the season, 24-14 back on Sept. 29.
Live coverage of ROWVA-Williamsfield Cougars football on FM 95 was sponsored by:
Diamond Ag • Big Catz BBQ • Anderson State Bank • Dave’s Auto Body • Lacky Monument • Courtright Construction • Hinchliff Pearson West • Wight Chevrolet • Shawn Mason, State Farm Insurance • Rhianna Lewis, Designated Managing Broker/Owner of Charter Oak Realty • Henn House BBQ Catering & Food Truck • Central Illinois Epoxy • Motzee’s Cardinal Inn • Hennenfent Graphics
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