On Friday night, Capital city made the 30-minute drive to Columbia to take on the Hickman Kewpies. Both teams came into the game 1-1, with both looking to topple over the .500 mark. Let me tell you now, this game did not disappoint in the least.

Hickman started the game off with the all, quickly getting starting running back, Ra’Jonh Rayner involved, with a few solid runs. Unfortunately for the Kewpies, they would fumble, with Capital City starting at the Hickman 46.

The Cavaliers would precede to march down the field methodically, using the option attack that has made them so hard to defend since the Cavaliers inception. About five minutes off of the clock and Capital City found themselves in the end zone, after a 17 yard touchdown pass to Marcus Driver from Evan Schaffer.

Hickman would respond quickly. On the opening set of downs, quarterback Bredun Bursey would fire a strike over the middle to tight end Barrett Padberg, to put the Kewpies in the red zone. After a few nice runs to inch closer to the goal line, Hickman would sniff their way in, getting a two-yard touchdown run.

The Cavaliers would respond with one of their lone three-and-outs of the night, quickly giving Hickman the ball back to end the quarter. Hickman would show signs of continued momentum, driving down at a steady pace. However, Capital City’s defense would get a few stops. Not only that, but Hickman wide receiver, Elijah Tatum, dropped a pass on 4th and 2, ending up with a turnover on downs. Self-inflicted wounds were a story for Hickman through much of this affair.

Self-inflicted wounds, you said? Sure, Hickman will give you more. On the Cavaliers’ offensive drive, Hickman managed to make the stop, but a defensive holding call would keep the Cavs going. With an extremely heavy dose of 3-5 yard runs, Capital City knocked on the goal line and marched in with a short rushing touchdown to take the lead 14-7.

Hickman would get the ball back and the offense would drive, starting with a 20 yatrd carry by Rayner. I wonder what led to a Hickman turnover on downs? Oh yea, shooting themselves in the foot. Two straight drops, both of which would have moved the sticks, ended Hickman’s potential game-tying drive, leaving the game at 14-7 Capital City going into half.

Hickman would come out of the second half, looking well adjusted, immediately getting a defensive stop. The offensive posession that ensued would be a lengthy one, lasting until 7 minutes left in the third, where Hickman would tie the ball game with a TD pass of their own from Bursey, to Ethan Gaines. Mind you, this was another dropped ball but it fell right to Gaines in the back of the end zone.

Capital City would respond by slowly trotting their way down the field, getting to the 22 yard line. The drive would stall, resulting in a 39-yard field goal that would have been good from 50. On a side note, the Capital City kicker, Weston Schofield, is very good. Was impressed by him tonight.

Capital City was not done. Bredun Bursey would throw a costly interception on the next drive, and Cap City would return it to the Hickman 31. They chewed more time off of the clock and ran it in for a TD, 24-14 Cavaliers. With 38 seconds in the third quarter, things seemed dire for the Kewpies. They needed a spark and fast.

This is where it gets crazy. Not really sure if even a terrific script writer could have conjured this up. Hickman would stall early in the drive, facing a 4th and 5. This was the game. If Hickman doesn’t get this, the Cavaliers take over around the Hickman 40, with time to chew and a chance to close. Capital City sent pressure, Bursey Delivered. Bursey would roll out to his right and throw a dime down the sideline to Ethan Gaines. Gaines would haul it in, running all the way in. Just like that, with roughly 11:30 to go, this felt like a ball game again.

You might be thinking, “Well, that’s crazy, but nothing I haven’t seen before.” Well, just wait, there’s more. On the ensuing kickoff, Capital City would muff the ball, allowing Hickman to recover at the opposing three. Pandemonium. What once was a loud Capital City sideline and student section, turned silent as doom was impending. Quickly, Hickman would take the lead, 28-24, with Prince Collins running it in. In the span of one minute, Hickman scored 14 points. Completely different ball game.

Capital City had the life sucked out of them, and they were never the same. They would stall out on the next offensive drive, leading to a Bredun Bursey touchdown run to notch it at 34-24.

With four minutes left, Capital City would throw a costly interception, effectively ending the game. 34-24. What. A. Game.

The story, you may ask? Turnovers. Simple really. In the first half, Cap City forced two turnovers and Hickman forced one. In the second half, Hickman had zero, Capital City had three. If you win the turnover margin, you will likely win the ball game.

Hickman improves to 2-1 and will take Battle on the road next week.