September 20th, Friday night Brunswick varsity football team played Boonsboro varsity football squad. Tonight was senior night for Brunswick, and the energy in the stands was there. This game was going to be an electric battle with back and forth scoring and very loud stands on both sides. There was a decent size student section for Boonsboro even though for them this was an away game. Boonsboro won the coin toss and elected to receive.
For the first drive Boonsboro was able to get a first down on two rushing plays but they eventually got to a fourth and five situation and went for it. The result was an unsuccessful run play turning the ball over for Brunswick. Brunswick unfortunately couldn’t get a play to go forward and they had to punt on fourth and twelve. Fortunately Brunswick’s defense didn’t let Boonsboro get a first down and Boonsboro had to punt. On the snap for the punt the ball was snapped over the punters head and rolled out back of Boonsboro’s end zone which meant Brunswick got a safety and that put them up 2-0 against Boonsboro and Boonsboro still had to punt. With Brunswick getting the ball after the safety they made sure to use this safety as momentum and quickly got down field with the help of a 47 yard catch by Jacob Genos, senior. Genos would eventually receive the touchdown pass from Ethan Houck, senior, and Sam Verosto, senior, would kick the extra point putting Brunswick up 9-0. Boonsboro still had a little bit of time left in the first quarter and quickly got down to the red zone. On the last play of the first quarter #3 for Boonsboro had a short run to put Boonsboro at first and goal.
The second quarter started out with #32 for Boonsboro getting a quick rushing touchdown. But the extra point kick was no good, still leaving Brunswick up 9-6. After that touchdown for Boonsboro, Brunswick worked the ball down field and ended their drive with a passing touchdown to Nathan Borawski, junior. Brunswick would go for two but could not convert but Brunswick was still up 15-6. Boonsboro would get to work trying to get a touchdown to match Brunswick. Despite a flag play on Boonsboro of having an illegal man downfield that would have put them into the red zone they still managed to get a rushing touchdown with #33. The extra point was good and this was a one possession game with it being 15-13 Brunswick. Brunswick would try to get another touchdown of their own but would be forced to punt. With a little under 2 minutes left in the quarter Boonsboro was in crunch time. With a big Boonsboro run from #16 and a big pass play caught by #33. Boonsboro was able to get a rushing touchdown with #32 and they would go for two but could not convert making the score 19-15 Boonsboro. Boonsboro would kick off to Brunswick with 53 seconds left on the clock. Quinn Nugent, junior, would return the kick to their own 32 yard line. And in 33 seconds Houck threw a touchdown pass to Borawski, the extra point was good putting Brunswick back up 22-19. After one play from Boonsboro they decided to take a knee to wrap up the first half.
Boonsboro would start the third quarter by successfully recovering an onside kick. Boonsboro would work their way down field and their quarterback #12 would scramble for another Boonsboro touchdown. The extra point was good and Boonsboro would be up 25-22. Brunswick would slowly work the ball down field and on third and long Genos would make a great catch getting Brunswick a first. Unfortunately Brunswick would throw an interception into their own end zone leading to a touchback and Boonsboro’s ball. The call of the interception was controversial as it appeared that the Boonsboro player had caught the ball when he was out of bounds. Brunswick was able to get the ball back after a crucial momentum-swinging interception by Genos. Genos was having a monster game Friday night and after his interception he would receive a 27 yard pass for a touchdown. And after the extra point Brunswick would be back up 29-25 to end the third quarter.
Boonsboro got the ball to start the fourth quarter and they were fired up. #22 came out and ran a 61 yard rushing touchdown. Boonsboro fans were going crazy. The student sections were literally having their own game of who could be louder and the energy was amazing.
Boonsboro did go for two but could not convert making this a two point game with Boonsboro ahead 31-29. Brunswick had a tough time working the ball down field. On fourth and four Genos was able to make a catch that barely got Brunswick a first down. Eventually though Brunswick would throw to the end zone but #8 for Boonsboro would get an interception and that was Houck’s second interception of the night. Luckily, Brunswick’s defense stayed strong and was able to force Boonsboro to punt.
Nevertheless, Houck showed why he is a great quarterback committed to a division one school (Liberty). On the next play Houck saw an opening right up the middle and ran a 49 yard touchdown. Brunswick went for two but they were not able to convert, but they did lead 35-31. Now there was still a decent amount of time on the clock, but Boonsboro was just chipping it away with a lot of runs and short passes. The game was so intense every fan was on the edge of their seat cheering as loud as they possibly could for their respective teams. Eventually, with 21 seconds on the clock #22 for Boonsboro would receive a touchdown pass to put Boonsboro up and after the extra point was good Boonsboro had the lead 38-35. Now if Brunswick could get a field goal they could take this game into overtime. Unfortunately Brunswick would throw two incomplete passes and there was 4.6 seconds left on the clock with it being third and ten for Brunswick. Houck would move around in the pocket and the clock ran out so they had to get a hail mary touchdown right here. Houck would throw the ball deep down field but the pass could not be completed.
This was a heartbreaking loss for Brunswick who had pretty solid control for most of the game, but in the end the defense would wear down and the offense just didn’t have enough time to execute a strong game plan. Leading to a Boonsboro win on Brunswick’s senior night. The final score was 38-35 Boonsboro.
After the game Jacob Genos (JG) shared his thoughts on the game.
“You had an important momentum shifting interception in the third quarter what did you see on the read?”
JG: “I was just dropping back and I saw the quarterback over through the receiver and I just had to toe tap it in bounds.”
“The defense had really great focus tonight but on the last drive you guys just Boonsboro chip away a lot of clock on runs. What happened on that last drive?”
JG: “We just need to get better at tackling, we missed a couple crucial tackles and had some poor reads but next week will be better.”
“There were a lot of rush plays and screen passes tonight. What will the defense and the defensive line look to work on next practice to try and stop the run game next week?”
JG: “Reading the ball better and finishing our tackles and we can do that.”
Chloe Callahan, Brunswick senior, was a spectator in the stands during the game. She was asked about her opinion on the loss, after watching all four quarters:
“I thought we were going to win. We were winning at halftime. We were winning for most of the game. Until [Boonsboro] scored last minute in the [fourth quarter].”
This game was a heartbreaking loss for Brunswick. Brunswick treats Boonsboro as one of their rivals, even though they’re from Washington county. This game was some of the best high school football Frederick and Washington county have recently seen, but unfortunately Brunswick lost. Hopefully, they can put this tough loss behind them and focus on their next game next week under the Friday night lights at Smithsburg High School.