Top 10 games from 2019: No. 5

By rbrown
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Updated: April 8, 2020

TOP 10 NHIAA GAMES FROM 2019
No. 5: Plymouth 14, Pelham 12

A big play by Pelham late in the final quarter was followed by an even bigger play by Plymouth in this Division II quarterfinal-round matchup.

Trailing by eight points with less three minutes to play, Pelham quarterback Ian Hoey tossed a screen pass to Charlie Katin, who scampered 61 yards for a touchdown that pulled the Pythons within two points.

The Plymouth defense rose to the occasion by stopping a pass on the two-point conversion attempt, however, and the sixth-seeded Bobcats sealed the win when they intercepted a Hail Mary pass in the final seconds.

The Bobcats grabbed a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter when quarterback Cody Bannon capped a 12-play, 64-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Cole Johnston.

Third-seeded Pelham answered on its opening drive by moving the ball 72 yards on eight plays. Hoey punctuated the drive on 7-yard TD run with 50 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The Pythons’ PAT attempt was no good, however, which left Plymouth with a 7-6 lead.

The defenses took over after that. Plymouth was held to one first down and 49 yards of offense over the next 33 minutes. The Pythons were limited to 89 yards and four first downs during that 33-minute stretch.

The Bobcats found the end zone for a second time with 2:44 to play, when Bannon tossed a 22-yard TD pass to Johnston. Pelham responded with the 61-yard TD pass to Katin before Plymouth stopped the conversion attempt that would have tied the game.

Evan Haskins led the Pelham defense with 10 tackles.

Bannon completed 5 of 6 passes for 42 yards, and also led Plymouth’s rushing attack with 76 yards on 17 carries. Johnston caught four of Bannon’s five completions.

No. 6: Milford 14, Pelham 13

No. 7: Milford 28, Alvirne 27

No. 8: Pelham 21, Souhegan 20

No. 9: Alvirne 23, Souhegan 22

No. 10: Windham 28, Central 21