A Night of Firsts: Loretto Junior High Beats Richland for Season’s First Win and Smith’s First as Head Coach
The Loretto Junior High Mustangs had to wait through a weather delay, overcome a fourth-quarter deficit and make one final drive with the clock running out Thursday night.
They did all three.
Loretto scored the go-ahead touchdown with just two seconds remaining to defeat Richland 20-12 on the road, giving the Mustangs their first victory of the season and Head Coach Daniel Smith his first win as a head coach.
“This first win feels like a breath of fresh air,” Smith said. “It may sound generic, but the work these guys have put in this spring and this offseason, and finally seeing results, is a huge morale boost not only for them, but the coaching staff as well. These young men have worked hard to earn this, so it is very exciting to see them enjoy it as well.”
The Mustangs struck first on their opening possession. Cam Mitchell broke through for a touchdown with 1:30 remaining in the first quarter to put Loretto ahead 6-0. The two-point attempt was stopped, and the Mustangs carried the six-point advantage into the second quarter.
Richland answered late in the first half after taking possession deep in Loretto territory. A 25-yard pass was tipped away from one Richland receiver but landed in the hands of another, who carried it into the end zone. Loretto stopped the ensuing two-point attempt, leaving the game tied 6-6.
That score held through halftime and the entire third quarter, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
The game was interrupted by a weather delay during the fourth quarter with the teams still deadlocked. When play resumed, Richland needed only two plays to take its first lead of the night, connecting on a touchdown pass to go ahead 12-6 with 5:13 remaining. Once again, the two-point conversion was unsuccessful.
Loretto responded immediately.
Starting around its own 42-yard line, the Mustangs moved quickly down the field behind several strong runs, including key carries from Hank Hood. With a little more than a minute remaining, Hood found room on the right side and reached the end zone to tie the game at 12-12.
Loretto's two-point attempt was stopped, giving Richland an opportunity to answer in the final minute.
Instead, the Mustang defense gave its offense one more chance.
Richland moved into Loretto territory before the Mustangs forced a fourth down. A mishandled play on fourth down ended the Raiders' possession, giving Loretto the football near midfield with only 33 seconds remaining.
Rather than settle for a tie, the Mustangs went after the win.
Loretto moved into Richland territory and, with two seconds showing on the clock, connected on a pass over the middle for the go-ahead touchdown. The Mustangs then converted the two-point attempt to take a 20-12 lead.
Richland fielded the ensuing kickoff as the remaining time expired, completing the Loretto comeback.
For Smith, the postgame celebration included a pair of cold-water coolers being dumped on him. But when asked what he will remember most about his first victory as a head coach, Smith pointed to what his players showed when the game became its toughest.
“Besides the two cold water coolers being dumped on me, I think the thing I will remember most about this first win as a head coach would be the nonstop effort that was shown from the players,” Smith said. “Being tied in the fourth, to going into a weather delay, then being down a touchdown and still finding a way to come back and win in a short amount of time is just a testament to these kids’ abilities.
“Super proud of them all and can’t wait for more!”
Score by Quarter
End of 1st: Loretto 6, Richland 0
Halftime: Loretto 6, Richland 6
End of 3rd: Loretto 6, Richland 6
Final: Loretto 20, Richland 12
Beyond the final score
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