Kewps defeat Zumwalt S.; still alive in district

ST. PETERS - Hickman receiver Byron Bundy found out on the sideline. Running back Robert Heath got word after the game. There were plenty of things for players to talk about as the Kewpies wrapped up a 20-10 victory last night at Fort Zumwalt South - miserable playing conditions, a Cardinals World Series victory, word of a surprising Rock Bridge defeat - but the most relevant to the Kewpies’ season was the results they were hearing from another Class 6 District 6 contest being played just a few miles down the road.

Jefferson City 27, Fort Zumwalt West 9.

After its win, coupled with a Zumwalt West loss, a Hickman team that stumbled to an 0-3 start and limped into last night’s matchup with a 2-6 markwoke up this morning knowing it still has a chance at a playoff spot.

"We’re still alive," Coach Jason Wright said. "Even after, you know, the season we’ve had, we’re still alive. And who knows? That’s why you play the game. Who knows?"

Hickman is one of three District 6 teams with achance to capture a playoff birth.

If Hickman (3-6, 1-1) beats Jefferson City (5-4, 2-0) next week and Zumwalt West (7-2, 1-1) wins, all three teams would finish districts 2-1. In that event, a point-differential tiebreaker would be used to crown the champion. But if Zumalt West loses to Zumwalt South (4-5, 0-2), the winner of the Hickman-Jefferson City game wouldautomaticallyclaim a playoff spot.

Were it not for a come-from-behind victory on a rain-drenched field, the Kewpies wouldn’t be in a position to hope. But 119 rushing yards and two touchdowns by Heath and 123 yards on the ground from Tucker Bounds helped Hickman control the time of possession and erase an early deficit.

Heath’s 32-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown run put Hickman up 13-10, a lead the Kewpies would never relinquish. It was a breakthrough run for Heath, who four plays prior had a 48-yard run up the middle erased by a block-in-the-back penalty, and the Kewpies, who outgained the Bulldogs 118 to 47 in the first half but found themselves down 10-7 at halftime.

"The first half, we gave them their points," Bundy said. "And after that - shutdown."

The first quarter had all the makings of an all-too-familiar script for the Kewpies, who again found themselves down early.

Heath fumbled on the game’s third play from scrimmage, setting up Zumalt South with a short field. After quarterback Josh McCoy scrambled 22 yards to the Hickman 8, the drive stalled and the Bulldogs settled for a 25-yard field goal.

On Hickman’s second drive, quarterback Nick Timberlake also had trouble with his grip, twice recovering his own fumble to bring up a fourth-and-long. Punter Chris Galvin juggled a high snap and was tackled at the Hickman 13.

Two plays later, McCoy ran 13 yards around the left side for a score, putting Zumwalt South up 10-0.

A 61-yard run by Bounds on the first play of the ensuing drive set up Hickman in Zumwalt South territory, but a block-in-the-back penalty negated a first down run by Heath, and Timberlake’s 35-yard field-goal attempt was partially blocked.

The score that got Hickman on the board was set up Anthony Sims, who blocked Alan Dobson’s punt to set up the offense at the Bulldogs’ 14. Five carries by Heath ended with a 1-yard plunge into the end zone.

Neither offense mustered much yardage in the third quarter, as the quarterbacks traded interceptions. Timberlake finished 4 of 9 for 39 yards and two interceptions, while McCoy was 3 of 11 for 58 yards and two picks.

On Hickman’s fourth possession of the second half, Heath put Hickman up for good, shaking a tackle and dashing down the right sideline to give the Kewpies a 13-7 lead with 8:31 left in the fourth.

On Zumwalt South’s next possession, Steve Schluckebler intercepted McCoy and returned the ball 20 yards to the Bulldogs’ 23. Hickman put the game away with an 8-play drive that consumed 3 minutes and 58 seconds and included two fourth-down conversions by Bounds, one of which was a 7-yard touchdown run.

Leading 20-10 with less than a minute to play, Hickman tried to score again to get the maximum number of district points for its win, but Timberlake’s 47-yard field-goal attempt fell short as time expired.

"I’m so happy for the kids to experience some success," Wright said. "They worked hard this week, and for them to battle back, considering that the ball wasn’t bouncing our way first half…we battled through adversity."

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Reach David Robb at sports@tribmail.com.

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