In the opening round of the 3A West playoffs, The 10-0 Damascus HS Swarmin Hornets host the Urbana Hawks for the first time ever. The Hawks marched down field handing the ball off to junior back #22 Brandon Plante before fumbling the ball over to the Hornets. The Hornets couldn’t seem to click on their first drive going 3 & out and punting the ball away to the Hawks. The Hawks came out on their second drive and executed completing a couple of passes to senior WR #10 Darren Ambush who had a huge game. The Hawks eventually punched the ball into the end zone on a short run by #22 Brandon Plante. The Hawks went for two and got it on a short completion to sophomore RB #21 Raekwon Gray 8-0 Hawks. The Hornets came out looking to get things going with a few completions to senior receivers #16 Deondre Jolly and #3 Zach Bradshaw, but eventually had to punt the ball away 8-0 Urbana at halftime.
Coming out of the half after a few miscues on scoring chances for the Hornets the Hawks take the ball on a 40 yd pass down the middle to junior QB/DB #6 Conner Snelick, 2 pt conversion good 16-0 Urbana. The Hornets took over after a squib kick and after a 38 yard completion to senior line-out #25 Bruno Smith they are on the Hawks 22 yard line. The Hornets converted on 4 th & 2 and eventually get in the end zone on an 8 yard TD pass to senior wide out #3 Zach Bradshaw, and he would also catch the 2 pt conversion 16-8 Hawks. On the Hawks next drive RB #22 Raekwon Gray fumbles and the Hornets recover. The Hornets QB #9 Chase Williams would be sacked on 4th down for a turnover on downs. Late in the 3rd, Urbana completes a long pass down to the Hornets 24 to end the 3rd. The Hawks get down to the Hornets 1 yard line and get stopped on 4th down. The Hornets would overthrow wide out Zach Bradshaw on 3rd down then punt the ball away. Senior tackle #33 Rashard Buds would have a pivotal tackle for a loss on 3rd down to force a punt. The Hornets complete a pass to WR #25 Bruno Smith for a good gain. The Hornets complete a 7 yard pass to DT/TE #33 Rashard Buds for a touchdown and the two point conversion was good 16-16 tie game. The Hawks would go 3 and out and the Hornets would go on to throw an interception to #22 Raekwon Gray as he returns it for a good amount of yards. The clock eventually runs out after a completion to senior WR #10 Darren Ambush.
At the start of overtime the Hornets would punch the ball in on there very first opportunity on a run by #13 John Hanley, their field goal was good 23-16 Hornets. Urbana gets their chance to score and hand the ball off for a 5 yard run by back Raekwon Gray, then the Hornets get caught for offsides. Gray punches the ball in next play on a 3 yard run and go for two to win the game and convert on a 2 yard pass to #6 Conner Snelick to win the game. Great season for the Hornets and good luck to the Hawks next week as they play the Seneca Valley Eagles.
Final Score Damascus HS 23 Urbana HS 24
Story by Devaunte Morgan
Photos taken by Jeffrey Vogt of the event can be viewed and purchased at