The Hilmar High Yellowjackets put up quite a fight on their home field Friday, but couldn't hold off the Sonora High offense, which scored the tie-breaking touchdown in the final seconds of an overtime game.
Going into overtime with a standing score of 24-24, pressure was set at an all time high for both teams. Unfortunately for Hilmar, Sonora scored the final touchdown in the last few seconds of the game, notching the win 30-27.
With touchdowns by Alex Chavez and Sal Duran in the first half of the game, Hilmar had pushed ahead with the score 17-0 before the beginning the second half. The Yellowjackets’ defense managed to hold Sonora to minimal rushing yards, keeping the game held tight in their hands.
The second half found the Wildcats successfully playing catch-up, and eventually set them ahead of Hilmar 19-17 by the fourth quarter. Yellowjackets’ Hudson Harris managed to notch a touchdown with less than five minutes on the clock remaining, putting Hilmar back in the lead 24-19.
After a successful 2-point conversion and a field goal from Sonora, the two teams were tied up in the last few seconds of the game taking them both into overtime.
The intensity began to heat things up. After Steven Cardoso’s field goal pushed Hilmar back into the lead, Sonora retaliated by scoring a touchdown with only seconds remaining on the clock, ending the score with Sonora up 30-27.
Hilmar's defense held Sonora back from completing any passing yards. Sonora’s defense was on track Friday, too, holding Hilmar down to only 49 rushing yards. And while Hilmar quarterback Jonathan O’Brien helped propel the team’s 214 total passing yards, it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
Head coach Frank Marques stands behind his squad after a long, hard fight. “We battled a very good football team,” said Hilmar head coach Frank Marques. “We’ve improved a lot from last week to this week and that’s what we’re looking for.”
Hilmar hosts Fresno High next week.
