MAKINGHISTORY
Brook Hill wins 39-28, earning first-time chance at title
By Don Wallace

On a blustery November night at Herrington Stadium a determine group of gridiron Guards made history.

The Brook Hill squad downed Rockwall Christian 39- 28 to advance to the playoffs for the first time in the history of the TAPPS Division IV, District 2 school.

Not even a 12-minute delay when the stadium lights went out could dim the magic of the night as Brook Hill scored the comeback win.

With the district title in hand, the Guard will host Muenster Sacred Heart (6-4) in the playoffs Saturday, Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.

Brook Hill head coach Paul Johnston, gasping for air after being dunked under a cooler of water laughed as he told his team to enjoy the victory.

"Savor it, enjoy it, go spend some time with your family and friends," Johnston smiled as told the blue-clad Guard. "Then next week we get ready for the playoffs. It's a whole different world I want you to experience, because we are going to the playoffs."

The team and supporters broke out in a spontaneous yell.

Brook Hill, 5-2 for the year, started the year with the playoffs a long-range dream that came true at the end of a season marked by injuries and open dates.

To win district, the Guard had silence a rugged team of Warriors from Rockwall who built a 21-13 half time lead and appeared headed for an upset win. But Brook Hill made adjustments and out-scored the Warriors 26 to 7 in the second half with the game and the district title on the line.

The list of players with big plays is a long as a yardstick. From key runs by Ryan Inglehart and Drew Maudlin to big catches from Sakhairi Johnson on throws from quarterback John Carroll.

Nolan Rose turned in two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. The offensive and defensive lines turned in stellar work with the game in the balance.

"We did not play with enough emotion in the first half," Johnston said. "We made changes and got fired up and came out and had a good second half. We stopped Rockwall when we had to and we got the late interception to seal the deal. We'll take the win, but we have to play better than this in the playoffs. Teams in the playoffs won't give us this many chances."

The third quarter started with Rockwall holding a 21-13 lead and with the wind to their back. But the Brook Hill defense stiffen like a rock wall and forced a punt. After a Brook Hill fumble minutes later followed by two personal fouls on the Guard, Rockwall was set up deep in Brook Hill territory. One Guard player was ejected and another warned for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Clayton Jones scored on a 1- yard quarterback sneak and with the extra point, the Guard found themselves on the short end of a 28-13 score with 5:41 left in the third period.

Then Brook Hill took a deep breath and drove the ball 64 yards on eight plays to bolt back on the scoreboard. The touchdown came on a 14-yard run up the middle by Maudlin.

Carroll's run attempt for a two point conversion was unsuccessful and with 2:43 left in the third period the Guard was down 28-19.

The fourth quarter began as Brook Hill held the Warriors and forced a punt. But soon the Guard had to punt when a drive fizzled.

The Guard got the ball back just 49 seconds later when Rose stepped in front of Warrior pass for an interception at the Guard 45-yard line.

Carroll tossed a sideline pass to Johnson for an 18-yard gain. Runs by Inglehart and Carroll moved Brook Hill closer.

On a key third down play from the 13-yard line, Maudlin sliced through defenders following his blockers to the end zone for a score.

The kick by Han Jun Kee was good and Brook Hill had reduced the lead to just 28-26 with 7:02 left in the game.

Rockwall drove from their end of the field to the Brook Hill 35-yard line. Then a fourth down fumble turned the ball over to the Guard with 5:15 remaining.

After the Warriors keyed on Inglehart's inside running, Carroll tossed a pass to Johnson for a key first down.

The Guard went back to Inglehart and senior running back twice picked up big chunks of yardage.

Maudlin got the call near the goal line and scored on a 12-yard run up the middle for the go ahead touchdown. The Kee kick gave Brook Hill a nervous 32-28 lead with 1:52 left in the game.

The Guard had to hold Rockwall or the comeback would be negated.

Freshman defensive back Rose came up smelling sweet seconds later as he picked off a Rockwall pass and returned it 52- yards for the game clinching score.

Kee's extra point gave Brook Hill the 39-28 lead with just 90 seconds left in the game.

"I knew he would try that pass again, I had seen it the whole game," Rose said of his final interception. "I just caught the ball and ran for the goal line. I was praying I wouldn't fumble, but I scored."

Brook Hill held on to claim the 39-28 and first playoff appearance in football in the history of the school.

In the first half, Inglehart had the fans happy early scoring on a 75-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. Inglehart added another scoring run, but Brook Hill fell behind 21-13 at intermission.

The second half belonged to the Brook Hill team and their fans. After the game was decided fans rushed the artificial turf of Herrington Stadium sharing the big win with the team and coaches.

"I am proud of this team to make the playoffs," Johnston

said. "But I am proud of the way we earned the win. This was not easy, but we made the playoffs.

"I had to get after them at halftime; it was all worth it. This is something so sweet and special. Now we are in for the new season, the playoffs."

Muenster earned their playoff berth with a 49-12 thumping of Fort Worth Christian.