The Hazen Highlanders needed overtime on Thursday, but beat the Foster Bulldogs 18-12 in an exciting and physical game at Renton Memorial Stadium Thursday night.
The game came down to a back-and-forth fourth quarter in which Foster’s kicker missed a field goal as time expired to keep the Highlanders’ chances alive.
In overtime the Hazen defense stepped up and made big plays, forcing a 4-and-out for Foster. The Highlanders offense quickly moved down to the 10-yard line on a run from Marquis Lee. Then on third down from the 11 yard line, quarterback Nolan Hoover found Eli Azcueta for the second time to secure the win.
“Nolan did not play his best game, but to respond and make that throw in that moment? Special stuff from a special kid,” Hazen Coach David Kilpatrick-White said in an email.
Hazen has now won two straight Seamount League games to raise their record to 2-2.
Hazen’s defense helped the team get off to a fast start with a fumble recovery by Bryce Jenkins, though Hazen could not capitalize. But the Highlander defense got the ball back on an interception by Azcueta, the first of three interceptions for the Highlanders during the game. Azcueta then finished off the drive by catching a 14-yard strike from Hoover for the first touchdown of the game and 6-0 lead.
Foster’s defense and physical run game dominated the second quarter and a long field goal put the Bulldogs ahead 9-6 at halftime. The third quarter saw more of the same, but Foster was only able to add a field goal and held a 12-6 lead after three quarters.
“(Foster) played really well, we feel fortunate to get this win and I am not sure Foster will lose again this year,” said Kilpatrick-White.
Hazen got off to another fast start with a fumble recovery by Bryce Jenkins
The fourth quarter got interesting when Foster missed a field goal and Hazen capitalized with a 51-yard touchdown run by Lee, but a missed point-after attempt kick left the score tied 12-12 with less than five minutes on the clock.
On their ensuing possession, Foster used the whole clock on the but missed a field goal as time expired with the game tied 12-12, leaving the door open for aAzen’s overtime heroics.
On offense, Hazen was led by Azcueta who had 5 catches for 98 yards and 2 TDs while Lee added 11 rushes for 84 yards and a touchdown of his own. Azcueta added an interception while Cody Stillings and Justin Anderson added the other two for the Highlanders.
Kilpatrick-White also said Lovell Paulani used his nose tackle position to disrupt Foster’s powerful run game and had a sack to go with his 9 tackles. Lee and Justin Anderson both added 9 tackles of their own and Parker Trewet had some big hits.
The Highlanders host the undefeated Cascade Christian Cougars at 7 p.m. Friday at Renton Memorial Stadium.
