Take home 13-12 win in dramatic game
By:Rudy Brandl
WASHINGTON The Hillsborough High football team didn’t have much to play for Friday night, but the fans who braved the cold, windy conditions at Warren Hills could never tell.
The Raiders, who have battled turmoil and obstacles all season, found themselves in another hole against the Blue Streaks. The home team took a 12-0 lead in the first half but the Raiders stormed back with two touchdowns in the second half, kicking the game-winning extra point to post a dramatic 13-12 victory.
Kristian Molloy accounted for all the Hillsborough points, scoring both touchdowns on pass receptions in addition to kicking the game-winning extra point with 39 seconds to go. That point came after junior quarterback Colin Bruno hit Molloy with a nine-yard strike on a clutch third down play.
"It came down to us trying to get the ball to Molloy," Raider head coach Rick Mantz said. "We’ve had so much success getting the ball to him on the curl and we found some room."
Molloy made a slight change in his route, sprinting diagonally across to the center of the field. Bruno’s pass was right on the money.
The duo hooked up on the second play of the third quarter to get the Raiders on the board. Bruno found Molloy behind the defensive back and the speedy senior completed a 62-yard scoring play.
Hillsborough (4-4) will wait for its consolation round opponent unless something miraculous puts the team back in the state playoffs. For a complete story on the exciting win at Warren Hills, see Thursday’s Hillsborough Beacon.