Football: Newburgh Free Academy wins Class AA championship in thriller
CENTRAL VALLEY — You never know when it will be your time to step up in the biggest moments.
No. 1 Newburgh Free Academy defeated No. 2 Monroe-Woodbury, 15-7, to win the Section 9 Class AA football championship at Monroe-Woodbury High School on Saturday. This is the Goldbacks' first section title since 2018.
And it didn't come easy. Freshman quarterback Mason Hoover took over for the injured Dylan Iorlano in the second quarter.
“I was so nervous," Hoover said. "I didn’t want to show it, but I felt like I was going to throw up because I felt so bad for him. To me, he wanted this more than anyone.”
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The Goldbacks' would hold a lead 9-7 at halftime after three made field goals by Luis Tejada. Crusaders quarterback Michael Zrelak scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown and Quincy Banker followed with a made PAT.
After an hour-long weather delay due to a hail storm, play resumed, with rain continuing to come down and a noticeable drop in temperature. Hail covered the field.
The Goldbacks started a mid-fourth-quarter drive from their own 23-yard line. Eric Duncan eventually picked up 27 yards on a run to keep the chains moving. Sam Okeyo would ultimately run in a 1-yard touchdown with 5:49 left in the fourth quarter.
Leading 15-7, the Crusaders continued to look for a comeback with under four minutes left in the fourth quarter. Newburgh would pick up a fumble with 3:01 to go and start the ensuing drive from the Crusaders' 47-yard line after a Goldbacks' penalty moved the ball back.
Monroe-Woodbury would receive one last shot at knotting the score with three seconds left on the clock. After a penalty was called on an all-or-nothing end-around play that resulted in what would have been a reception and touchdown by Eryk Shammgod, the ball was called back due to a Crusaders penalty — an Achilles' heel for the team all game. They accumulated 115 penalty yards on 11 penalties.
They would get one last crack at it after replaying the down, but the Newburgh defense made the stop and celebrated in the rain as the clock hit zeroes.
“We’ve been working hard for this," Hoover said. "I don’t think they wanted a game more badly than this. We worked so hard. We’re champions.”
Turning point
The Goldbacks were faced with a 4th-and-6 with 8:49 remaining in the fourth quarter, up 9-7. They decided to go for it. Backup quarterback Mason Hoover connected with Elijah Bevier to advance to the Monroe-Woodbury 25-yard line. Sam Okeyo would cap off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run and the PAT was missed, giving Newburgh a 15-7 lead.
"We knew we had to try and throw it there because we wanted to keep the ball," Newburgh head coach Bill Bianco said. "Dylan [Iorlano] gets most of the reps in practice, but Mason’s been throwing a bunch. So we knew he could execute. For a ninth-grader to step up in that spot in a section championship is crazy, so I’m just happy for him.”
Player of the game
Mason Hoover and Eric Duncan share co-honors. Hoover, a freshman took over the starting quarterback duties when Dylan Iorlano left the game in the second quarter due to injury. Duncan kept drives running on the ground and was a critical part of the Goldbacks' offense during the game.
By the numbers
Newburgh Free Academy (9-1) — Sam Okeyo ran in a 1-yard touchdown with 5:49 left in the fourth quarter. Kicker Luis Tejada made all three field goals attempted (4-yards, 37, 25). The Goldbacks' defense recovered two fumbles in the game.
Monroe-Woodbury (6-4) — Michael Zrelak had a 3-yard touchdown run. Quincy Banker made his only PAT.
Quotable
"It feels amazing, I’m not going to lie. This is my first trophy in my entire football career, so I’m really happy.” - Newburgh Free Academy senior Eric Duncan on what the section title means to him.
What's next
Newburgh Free Academy plays in a Class AA regional matchup with Arlington on Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. at Middletown High School.
MKramer1@th-record.com
Twitter: @MKramerTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Section 9 football: Newburgh punches ticket to state tourney
