Hilmar stops 2-point try in final seconds to hold off Hughson in TVL thriller
The battle for second place in the Trans-Valley League was determined by just a few inches Friday night, as Hilmar High’s defense stopped Hughson’s 2-point try with 47 seconds left.
It was a thrilling conclusion to the most exciting game played in the TVL this season, a 24-23 Hilmar victory at McSweeney Field.
“That’s a really good football team that we beat tonight,” Hilmar coach Frank Marques said. “They are really a quality football team, that quarterback is legit ... I’m just really proud of our team.”
Caden Bailey ran for two long touchdowns and the Yellowjackets (6-3, 3-1 TVL) survived a furious Hughson comeback by making the stop on the 2-point try.
It was an impressive performance for Hilmar, especially coming off a 49-21 loss a week earlier to soon-to-be TVL champion Escalon.
“Super proud of our kids,” Marques said. “After getting beat by Escalon the way we did last week, and for us to rebound against a team like this ...
“I told the team that every season has a landmark game. And I think this win, over this quality of a football team sets us up really well for the playoff run.”
Bailey said it wasn’t hard to move on after the Hilmar loss.
“We put that loss behind us and we focused up this week, we locked in,” Bailey said. “I just think it’s a great confidence boost.
“(Hughson) is a former state champion and a great football team, so it shows we can compete. And I think it gets us good momentum for the playoffs.”
Hilmar took a 24-10 lead with just over 10 minutes left on Bailey’s 44-yard touchdown run — he had scored from 73 yards out on the Yellowjackets’ first possession.
But Hughson junior quarterback Robert McDaniel rallied his team from behind to nearly win.
McDaniel’s 82-yard TD pass to Malakai Sumter pulled the Huskies within 7.
Taking the ball over at their own 10-yard line with 2:30 left, McDaniel led the Huskies downfield and David Burns scored on a 2-yard TD run to pull Hughson within one.
After calling timeout, Hughson coach Shaun King chose to go for the win. But Burns was stopped just short and the Yellowjackets celebrated their biggest win of the season.
Hilmar solidifies playoff spot
MaxPreps had Hilmar ranked third in Division V going into the game against Hughson, and a win should solidify that spot.
A No. 3 seed would give the Yellowjackets a bye week for the first round and a home game in the second. Twelve Bridges of Lincoln and Casa Roble of Orangevale are projected as the top two seeds.
Hilmar closes out the regular season next week at Modesto Christian (2-7).
“I think this will keep us a solid third,” Marques said. “I like being third. You get to host a game at home, which is always fun. ... Being ranked third at Division V, now I think we deserve it.”
Hughson will need to bounce back
Hughson (6-3, 2-2) will finish the season next Friday at Ripon (3-6).
MaxPreps had the Huskies ranked fourth in Division VI going into the game. But nobody should rule out Hughson.
The Huskies lost to Hilmar last season and went on a postseason run that saw them claim section and state championships.
“We’re in the same spot we were last year,” Hughson coach Shaun King said. “We lost to Hilmar last year and we never lost again. That’s the message we sent to the team.
“We’ll come together, we’ll be even tighter ... starting Monday.”
McDaniel finished with 247 yards passing. Alexander Villarreal scored Hughson’s first touchdown on a 7-yard run, but he appeared to injure a hamstring on the play and never returned.
Bailey finished with 137 yards on 13 carries for Hilmar.
