By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
Sometimes when you go for two, it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.
Hamilton Heights went for two last year against Twin Lakes, and won the game. This year, the Huskies trailed the Indians 14-0 in the fourth quarter, but made a comeback by scoring two touchdowns.
After the second touchdown, Heights trailed 14-13 with 1:40 left in the game. The Huskies went for two, but this time it wasn’t meant to be. Heights’ pass was batted away by a Twin Lakes defender, and the Indians would hold on to win.
“The thought process is: One, we had some momentum coming in and scoring late there and having a chance to win,” said Huskies coach Mitch Street. “And then secondly, playing that offense for four downs for 10 yards is tough. I think that’s just really tough to do, and I’ll ride that momentum most times.”
“I’ve been fortunate enough to convert some of those and if you convert it, you look like a genius, and if you don’t, you get a lot of second questions, myself included,” said Street. “I made the decision and I’ll live with it.”
Both of Heights’ touchdowns were passes from Tyler Andis to Michael Cross, who was named Homecoming King during halftime. Cross stepped up like royalty, making a 19-yard catch with 8:32 remaining, then a 16-yard reception with 1:40 left to set up the Huskies’ two-point try.
“I thought our kids fought really hard,” said Street. “I loved the way they just kept grinding to get themselves in the game. And there’s been times this year when we’ve not been that team that’s going to keep grinding. Tonight we did.”
Andis had a great game, completing 9-of-18 passes for 160 yards. Camron Knott caught four of those passes, while Cross totaled three. Blake Webel was the leading rusher with 48 yards on the ground.
The Huskies are 1-6 for the season. They are back at the Husky Dome next Friday to play Western in their final Hoosier Conference game of the season.
Hamilton Heights’ Kray Leininger (42), Luke Herr (51) and Tyler Wiltermood (56) surround a Twin Lakes runner during the Huskies’ Homecoming game with the Indians Friday at the Husky Dome. Heights nearly came back in the fourth quarter before falling 14-13. (Richie Hall)