Corsica/Stickney falls to Wall in 9A semifinal

WALL — Three untimely fumbles led to Corsica/Stickney's demise in a 20-14 loss to Wall in a Class 9A semifinal high school football game Saturday after-noon.

The final Jaguars' turnover came when Gunner Baan Hofman lost the handle with a little more than 2 minutes left and C/S driving in Wall territory for a potential game-tying touchdown.

The fumble came after Adam Bormann made an option pitch to Baan Hofman, who gained about eight yards on the play before Wall's Tyler Trask forced the mishap. The ball was recovered by the Eagles’ Les Williams at the Wall 35-yard line.

Bormann had converted a quarterback sneak on a fourth-and-1 play prior to Baan Hofman’s fumble.

“The fumbles hurt and we had a couple penalties mixed in there that didn’t help,” said C/S coach Jason Broughton, who had watched the same option pitch from Bormann to Baan Hofman go for big yards three times previously in the game. “That’s strictly a read on (Bormann’s) part. If the end pinches down, he’s going to pitch it. It’s that simple.”

Following Baan Hofman’s fumble, Wall converted a fourth-and-inches on a quarterback sneak by Lane Blasius with about 2 minutes left to clinch the game.

Trask scored what proved to be the game-clinching touchdown on a 20-yard reception from Blasius on a fourth-and-10 with 6:30 remaining. Blasius, a sophomore, lofted the ball perfectly to the right corner of the end zone for his fourth and final completion of the game.

The Jaguars, who finished the season 8-3, had two chances earlier in the contest to make things easier on themselves. Both drives ended with Bor-mann fumbles.

With about 3 minutes left in the first half and C/S clinging to a 14-8 lead, Wall’s Jess Williams forced a Bormann fumble at the Eagles’ 8-yard line. The Jaguars had a 12-play drive that covered more than 70 yards end when a Wall defender fell on the loose ball.

Then, with the score tied at 14 with 3 minutes left in the third quarter, Bormann was sacked and fumbled around midfield. Jess Williams also was involved in the Jaguars’ second turnover and recovered the ball at the Corsica 30-yard line.

“They’re a good football team and they’re undefeated for a reason,” Broughton said of Wall (11-0). “If you’re going to beat them, you’re not going to be able to beat yourself like we did.”

The C/S defense stymied Wall’s attempt to take control following Bormann’s second fumble. Senior defensive back Ryan Honglso intercepted a Blasius pass in the end zone on fourth-and-goal early in the fourth quarter to keep the game tied at 14.

The Jaguars were forced to punt four plays later, though, and Wall drove 61 yards on seven plays for the game-winning score.

C/S was led by Honglso's 98 yards rushing on 25 carries. Baan Hofman added 63 yards on seven carries and Bormann rushed for 57 yards on 14 carries.

The Jaguars led 14-0 after the first quarter. Bormann, who was 2-for-4 passing for 72 yards in the game, found Aaron Groeneweg with a 26-yard touchdown pass midway through the first and Hongslo ran in a 15-yard score on the final play of the opening 12 minutes.

Wall was led by senior running back Chavis Shull, who rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. He also caught two balls for 49 yards. Shull entered the game with 1,913 yards and 21 touchdowns on the year.

“Corsica/Stickney did a really good job against our run game,” Wall coach Dennis Rieckman said. “We usually are able to turn those corners a little bit more and their ends did a nice job of stopping us, most of the time.”

Wall 20, Corsica/Stickney 14

First Quarter

C/S: Aaron Groeneweg 26 pass from Adam Bormann (run failed), 7:16

C/S: Ryan Hongslo 15 run (Hongslo run), :01

Second Quarter

W: Lane Blasius 1 run (Tyler Trask pass from Blasius), 8:58

Third Quarter

W: Chavis Shull 1 run (run failed), 4:43

Fourth Quarter

W: Trask 20 pass from Blasius (pass failed), 6:30

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