Head coach Jim Margraff said last week that Dickinson has always been a tough team to beat for the Hopkins football team, and indeed they were this week as the Red Devils knocked off the Jays 17-14 in overtime.
The loss is the Blue Jay's second in a row, dropping their record to 4-3, 2-2 in Conference action. With this loss, the Jays extend their road-losing streak against Dickinson to 25 games, a streak that began in 1985.
Despite the final outcome of the game, early on the Jays looked well on their way to a win. The Jays struck first as senior running back Scott Martorana, in his second game back from injury, rushed 12 yards in to the end-zone to put the Jays up 7-0 two thirds of the way into the third quarter.
The Jays continued to bolster their lead in the first half, scoring again when senior quarterback Rob Heleniak ran the ball into the end zone from one yard out, putting the Jays up 14-0.
The Jays had other opportunities in the Red Devils zone but were unable to score on any of them, including on a missed field goal shortly before halftime. The Jays' second touchdown came with 9:22 remaining in the first half and was the last scoring either team would see until the second half.
The Jays' defense, was also strong in the first half, allowing only 75 yards in total offense against a team known for its ability to pound the ball heavily on the ground.
"The defense played great in the first half," said Margraff. "They only gave up something like one first down and 70 yards in total offense."
The second half was a different story. A few minutes into the second half, the Red Devils found their first scoring drive as it took them only three running plays to go over 70 yards to the end-zone, narrowing the margin to 14-7 in favor of the Jays. The score remained stagnant until late in the fourth quarter, when Dickinson rushed for another touchdown, this one coming from 17 yards out and tying the game at 14-14. The Devils had the chance to take the lead in regulation but missed a late field goal, sending the game into overtime as time expired.
The Devils took the first of the equal possessions from the 25-yard line as is done in college football in overtime, and were only able to gain 8 yards and settled for a field goal on fourth down.
The Jays were not so frugal with their overtime scoring opportunity. Martorana ran for 11 yards on the first two plays, but on the next set of downs, the Jays were forced back by a false start penalty and incomplete passes to end up with fourth and 11. The Jays needed a 32-yard field goal from senior kicker Matt Andrade to send the game into a second overtime, yet the attempt was missed and the game ended 17-14 in favor of the Red Devils.
With his touchdown, Martorana moves within one touchdown of the Hopkins career record for rushing touchdowns with 24.
The Blue Jays no longer can win the conference title, but do not think they have quit by any means.
"We have our last home game this week and the seniors deserve to go out winners. It's still an important game," said Margraff. "Then we go on to play the No. 10 team in the country, it couldn't get more perfect."
The Jays come back to Homewood field this week with their last home game against Franklin & Marshall. The Jays have won the last four meetings between the two teams.
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