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Shrawder’s overtime touchdown run gives Hughesville dramatic 36-30 win over Warrior Run

By Chris Masse 8 min read

HUGHESVILLE--Chase Shrawder took the hand-off, watched his powerful line open a big hole and ran into the night; into the end zone. And there, Shrawder celebrated a moment he will never forget.

Neither will his dedicated Hughesville teammates who all combined to create a win they will always fondly remember.

On a night where both Hughesville and Warrior Run displayed enough guts to make a sumo wrestler smile, Shrawder made the final play the biggest one. His seven-yard, walk-off overtime touchdown run lifted Hughesville to a dramatic 36-30 win at Spartan Stadium and capped a monster night in which Shrawder ran for a career-high 191 yards with two scores, while also returning an interception 52 yards for a touchdown.

"It was right there. I saw it (the end zone) and I was just like, ‘I have to get there,’" Shrawder said. "It was a powerful feeling. It feels great when you’re getting a touchdown and everyone is doing their job as a team. It feels powerful to be able to do that."

Hughesville and Warrior Run showcased Babe Ruth power throughout the night, just in different fashions. Boosted by a sensational offensive line, Hughesville ran for 277 yards, while Warrior Run quarterback Logan Stevenson dazzled in his first outing since being injured four weeks ago, throwing for 383 yards and four touchdowns.

Hughesville erased a nine-point halftime deficit with 15 straight third quarter points before Warrior Run tied the game with 5 minutes, 14 seconds remaining on a Stevenson to Bryson Weigel 10-yard connection.

It felt like whoever had the ball last would win this one and that’s how it played out. Hughesville safety Nick Stubbs made sure Hughesville had it last when he intercepted Warrior Run’s first overtime play. Three runs later, Shrawder was in the end zone and Hughesville basked in the glow of its third win in four games as its boisterous student section saluted it.

"We know we’re a good team and we know two years ago they came here and we won in double overtime that time," Stubbs said after also running for 75 yards and a touchdown. "So, we knew we could do it. We have the team."

Hughesville had the win seconds after it lined up and faced a third-and-goal from its 7. Shrawder made his 38th carry his most memorable, exploding through a hole up the middle and going nearly untouched into the end zone. Shrawder threw his arms up in celebration before two happy teammates embraced him as Hughesville sealed its second thrilling overtime win against Warrior Run in three seasons.

"I know it’s getting closer and closer to the end with just two weeks left," Shrawder said. "I just go with the flow and keep going. (I’m) giving it my all and keep going."

Neither team wanted to stop Friday. Every time one landed the opponent on the ropes, that team came swinging back and throwing haymakers. Ultimately, Stubbs, the line and Shrawder made sure Hughesville landed the final punches.

On the first overtime play, Stevenson rolled right and was hurried while scanning the field. It looked like there was an open man in the back of the end zone, but Stubbs read the eyes; read the play and intercepted the pass before it could get there. For all the timely runs Stubbs ripped off Friday, it was his defense which ended up making the biggest impact.

"We had to stop that pass of theirs and luckily at the end, Nick stepped up and got that interception," Hughesville coach Howard Rainey said. "That made it special for him."

"From playing quarterback, I know that where a quarterback is looking is usually where he’s throwing. I saw (Stevenson) look to the right and I knew that’s where the ball was going," Stubbs said. "I just had to figure out which guy he was going to and it came right into my hands. I knew our offense would score right then and there to win the game."

That last pass does not diminish how terrific Stevenson played. The junior signal caller dropped dimes like he was on extended phone call back in the 1980s, consistently fitting balls into tight windows and finding receivers in stride. Stevenson threw an 81-yard touchdown to Weigel on the game’s second play before making a perfect throw on a 24-yard scoring strike to Devante Mitchell later that quarter and hitting Liam Moore for a 50-yard touchdown which made it, 24-15.

After Hughesville took its first lead, Stevenson went 4 for 4 for 63 yards, his 10-yard touchdown to Weigel tying the game. Remarkably, despite just playing 4 ½ games this season, Stevenson went over 1,000 yards and his 383 yards are the most by a District 4 quarterback this season.

Playing poised and loose, while seeing the whole field, Stevenson averaged 25.5 yards per catch. He also consistently delivered on third downs, either finishing or extending scoring drives like when he found Moore for the 50-yard touchdown which made it, 24-15 on a third-and-15. His receivers also came up big; Emiliano Torres and Mitchell both making consecutive fantastic catches on a two-play, 71-yard drive which put the Defenders up 14-8 in the first quarter.

Stevenson was one of many resilient Defenders who continued gutting it out despite so many injuries piling up. Denyn Beachel highlighted the team’s tenacity, playing for the first time since Week 4 with a torn ACL and still making seven tackles, including two for loss. Torres played hobbled, but still totaled 99 receiving yards and David Stiner and Carson Little each topped 10 tackles.

Weigel and Moore both also went over 90 yards and Cayden Robinson excelled on both sides of the ball. That was especially big as he helped Stevenson have time to throw despite the line missing three opening night starters.

"Even without some key players out there, they’re really tough. They’re a really tough team," Rainey said. "Both teams put it all out there."

That included a young, but stout Hughesville offensive line, as well as tight end Jerry Barton and punishing fullback lead blocker Carson Shoemaker. Logan Phillips, Dominic Dimoff, Mason Karl, Colton Woolever and Devin Stackhouse imposed their will from the second quarter on as Hughesville started heating up; gaining chunk yards and burning clock.

Even with Shrawder making a fabulous play on a tipped pass and returning it 52 yards for a first-quarter tying touchdown, Hughesville still trailed 24-15 at halftime. However, the Spartans were gaining belief because the running game was clicking with Shrawder carrying six times for 67 yards on a second quarter touchdown drive which Stubbs capped with a 1-yard touchdown.

So, Alphonzo Smith returning the second-half opening kickoff 38 yards was like pouring gasoline on a fire. The flames started flying high as Shrawder busted two would-be tacklers on a 14-yard touchdown to cap the first third quarter possession. After forcing a quick three-and-out, Hughesville continued its ground assault and Shoemaker’s 1-yard touchdown plunge on 4th-and-goal gave it its first lead, 30-24.

"Our offensive line was great. They knew what they were doing," Stubbs said. "They were giving Chase running room; they were giving me running room. We’re doing this for the offensive line and it’s just awesome seeing them do what they did."

"They all did their jobs tonight. That’s what you look for as a team. You can’t do anything without a line on offense," Shrawder said. "They were great."

The line provided the push with text-book blocking and Shrawder complemented its performance with some bulldozing runs which started wearing on the defense as the game progressed. Shrawder’s 38 carries are the most by an area player this season and he generated 182 of his 191 yards from the second quarter on, never tiring despite also playing his usual strong defense at linebacker.

Shrawder reached a career-high yardage total for a second straight week. His seemingly endless energy also has helped make him an ideal closer in Hughesville’s three hard-fought wins; games in which Hughesville has scored 54 points.

"This is the hardest he’s run. The last three games, the second half he’s run super hard. The second half of each of these games he’s come alive," Rainey said. "This game he pretty much did a full game and was able to show that he can break tackles and carry people and get to the end zone."

Hughesville’s defense came alive, too, after Warrior Run started mounting what it hoped would be a game-winning drive in the closing minutes. Cael Bowman helped blunt the momentum after the Defenders crossed midfield with a sack and then forced a hurried throw on third-and-10 as the Spartan 38, forcing a punt.

Stevenson threw for 285 first-half yards and Warrior Run looked on the verge of landing a knockout blow. Instead, the Spartans fought back and allowed just six second-half points. They did not make all the stops, but the Spartans made the game’s two biggest down the stretch.

Hughesville took over at its 15 following that last stand, and with just a little more than minutes remaining, overtime started looking certain. Only Stubbs had other ideas, breaking loose for a 33-yard run before hitting Jullian Smith with an 8-yard pass as Hughesville reached Warrior Run’s 31-yard line. The ensuing 48-yard field goal try was short, but quickly covering 54 yards had Hughesville feeling good as overtime came.

Four plays later, confidence, preparation and opportunity all joined and Hughesville experienced a win which made all the offseason and preseason all worth it.

"We kept battling," Stubbs said. "They kept battling and we just knew we had to keep driving and keep pounding."

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