First down — Mater Dei tailback Brett Hilmes looks to outrun Columbia defender Ethan Habermehl in the first half of the Knights’ tough 23-22 loss to the Eagles. Hilmes had five catches on the evening. PHOTO BY JEREMY CHAWGO The Mater Dei Knights football team got their season off to a heartbreaking start in their 23-22 loss at Columbia on Friday evening.
The Knights and Eagles battled back and forth all evening with the teams virtually even in all aspects of the game.
With both teams starting sophomores at quarterback, the first half was a battle of defense.
“I’m super proud of the guys effort tonight,” said MD head coach Jim Stiebel. “We knew that Nelson was a beast and we knew that he was going to get a lot of touches.”
The Eagles took the opening drive of the game all the way down the field before putting the ball on the turf for Mater Dei to recover and force the turnover.
After both teams exchanged scoreless possessions, the Knights attempted a 46-yard field goal which fell short as the first quarter ended scoreless.
Mater Dei got the lone touchdown of the first half on their final possession. The Knights, saddled with a 3-and-12 play, sophomore quarterback Hunter Hochbaum connected with Bentley Nicklin for 47 yards and a first down at the Eagles’ 26.
Hochbaum found Brett Hilmes for a 26-yard completion, setting them up at the one. Two plays later, Hockbaum hit Reed Pingsterhaus for the score and a 6-0 lead after the eight-play, 72-yard drive.
“Hunter has a bright future,” added Stiebel. “He is just going to keep getting better and better out there.”
That was the score at the half as the Eagles outgained MD 151-94 in total yards of offense.
The offenses picked up their play in the second half when the Eagles got on the board in their first possession of the third quarter when Jase Nelson scampered in from 27 yards out for a 7-6 lead.
“That’s the same play we were working on all week, and they still scored,” said Stiebel. “Sometimes you just have to tip your cap.”
Mater Dei responded with a 14-play drive that cumulated in a 24-yard field goal from Donovan Blair for a 9-7 lead, entering the fourth quarter.
The Eagles went back to work on their first drive of the final quarter when sophomore quarterback Xavier Voegele connected with Jackson Lawal for a 35-yard score. Nelson added the two-point conversion for a 15-9 lead.
Making the play — Mater Dei wide receiver Bentley Nicklin brings in a catch over Columbia’s Jackson Lawal in the first half of the Knights one-point setback on Friday. The 47-yard completion set up the Knights’ first score of the contest. PHOTO BY JEREMY CHAWGO Mater Dei needed just five plays to respond when Hochbaum connected with Hilmes for a 32-yard touchdown as MD got the lead at 16-15 with just over eight minutes left in regulation.
Columbia needed eight plays to restore their lead when Voegele hit Nelson for a 32 yard touchdown before Nelson added the two-point conversion for a 23-16 lead.
On the ensuing possession, Hochbaum hit Hilmes for another touchdown completion, only to see it taken off the board due to an ineligible man down field.
After that drive was halted, the Eagles put the ball on the turf for a second time with Will Meyer recovering the ball for the Knights.
Eight plays later, Hochbaum ran the ball in for seven yards to get MD within 23-22 with 51 seconds left in regulation.
The Knights chose to go for two points with their first two chances waved off on false start penalties. Their third attempt was knocked down by Voegele, handing the Eagles the victory.
“There was never a second thought about kicking it there,” concluded Stiebel.
Mater Dei outgained the Eagles 313 total yards to 311 while the Eagles had both of the games turnovers.
Hochbaum was 20-of-26 for 268 yards with two passing touchdowns and another rushing score.
Hilmes and Beckett Wade each had six catches with Wade having 89 yards receiving and Hilmes with 80 yards.
Dylan Souder led the defense with 11 tackles while Clayton Wedekemper had 10 tackles.
Nelson had 23 carries for 150 yards on the ground while Voegele was 8-of-10 for 110 yards and two scores.
