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Brentwood Unable to Hold Back Crystal City in Season Opener

Crystal City controls most of the game as the Hornets beat the Eagles, 35-21, in Crystal City.

CRYSTAL CITY — Despite setbacks in the first half, the Crystal City Hornets pulled out a 35-21 victory over the Brentwood Eagles on Friday at Dr. J.J. Commerford Stadium.

The Hornets pulled ahead 14-0 in the first half behind touchdowns from Austin Helwig and Alex Politte. Helwig scored at the 4:48 mark in the first quarter, as he caught a 12-yard pass from quarterback Nick Rothweiler on Brentwood’s 33-yard line and ran into the end zone.

Politte scored at the 7:53 mark in the second quarter, as he carried the ball three yards into the end zone. His play capped off a 25-yard drive. The Hornets had a short field on the series due to a flubbed Brentwood punt.

But the Eagles managed to make a stand after falling behind by two possessions. The Hornets turned the ball over three times in the last six minutes of the first half, and Brentwood converted on two of three opportunities.

Justice Bratcher scored at the 2:47 mark in the second quarter on a three-yard touchdown run to make the score 14-6. The Eagles failed in the extra-point attempt. Brentwood’s offense worked the ball to Crystal City’s seven-yard line with just a second left to play in the second quarter, but they were unable to hit paydirt. Jake Caragher made a 22-yard field goal with just one second left in the first half.

“We had a terrible first half with the turnovers,” Hornets coach Ken Weik said. “But the kids responded well. I was impressed with our second half.”

Brentwood coach Keith Herring admitted that offensive continuity was a problem after the first half.

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“Our offense did not do what they were supposed to do tonight,” he said.

Herring gave credit to Crystal City’s defensive line for clogging up the middle of the field and containing the Eagles’ backs.

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“To their credit, they did a very good job,” he said. “They’re a very physical team. I think a part of our problem was that we made too many mistakes tonight. Assignment wise, we just didn’t execute. We need to concentrate on what we’re supposed to be doing.”

Weik felt his team’s defense was credible.

“They played really well and did what we asked them to do,” he said. “(Peyton) Pollack and John Cole had a real good game and our outside linebacker (Jacob Carr) also had a very good game.”   

The Eagles controlled the lead for a short period of time in the second half following Dan Lynch’s touchdown at the 7:39 mark in the third quarter. The score gave the Eagles a 15-14 lead. The Hornets immediately responded on the next series, as they put together an eight-play, 53-yard drive which was capped off by Rothweiler’s touchdown at the 4:37 mark. This gave Crystal City the lead, 20-15. 

Brentwood’s next offensive possession came up dry, as they failed to place the ball in Hornets territory. In contrast, Crystal City followed with a four-play, 46-yard drive finished off with a Polittee touchdown with 23 seconds left to play in the third quarter to make the score 26-15. A successful two-point conversion made the score 28-15.

The Hornets worked the clock in the fourth quarter with a 12-play, 54-yard drive capped off with touchdown by running back Stacey Thornton at the 2:15 mark. The successful possession lasted five minutes and 20 seconds. Ben Linderer’s extra point gave Crystal City a 34-15 advantage. Rothweiler and wide receiver Josh Steller highlighted the drive, as Rothweiler had runs of 14 and 6 yards, and Steller had a 32-yard run.

“This is something you need,” Weik said. “You need to go out there and hold onto the ball and score. We did both things.”

The Eagles’ Daron Starks scored Brentwood’s final touchdown with 19 seconds left to play in the game to make the score 35-21. The game was a long affair with many penalties, as it lasted three hours.

The Eagles will play Maplewood Richmond Heights, at MRH, next Friday. MRH lost to MICDS in its opener also, 36-35.

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