Upsets are meant to happen. That's exactly why teams settle the score out on the field regardless of the record. It was clear that St. Thomas Aquinas (5-2), who hosted Blue Valley Southwest (1-6) last Friday night, was the better team - on paper.
However, previously winless Blue Valley Southwest shocked the Saints, on the road, and earned their first win as they took down St. Thomas Aquinas 30-27.
Needless to say, Timberwolves Head Coach Anthony Orrick was excited.
"This makes our entire season," said a euphoric Coach Orrick. "I mean, this wipes away everything that happened before now. And now, we are...I'm speechless. I really am. I'm just so proud of our guys. And, I hope this carries on."
The Timberwolves took an early 17-0 lead, primarily behind St. Thomas Aquinas' sloppy ball handling. The Saints fumbled on each of their first three drives of the game. Blue Valley Southwest's Sophomore Quarterback Will Eldridge was playing more like an upperclassmen that night. He threw a 27-yard touchdown to wide receiver Billy Bartlett for the touchdown.
The Saints would trim their deficit to just three at halftime after a blocked punt by senior quarterback Nick Bulleigh who also plays on defense and special teams. That gave St. Thomas Aquinas great field position and momentum.
Two short Saints touchdown's by Junior Fullback Drew Hicks & Senior Wide Receiver Clayton Effertz would make it 17-14 Blue Valley Southwest at halftime.
The Timberwolves' resolve didn't waver as Eldridge hit Bartlett for a huge 75 yard touchdown pass to give them a 23-20 lead going into the fourth quarter. Blue Valley Southwest looked to put the game away midway through the fourth quarter. However, Eldridge threw an interception in the end zone. St. Thomas Aquinas would take advantage of the mistake and score a touchdown to take a 27-23 lead.
However, the Saints turned the ball over again on yet another fumble. The Timberwolves scored the game-winning touchdown with 44 seconds left in the fourth quarter. It was quite a way for Blue Valley Southwest to earn their first victory.
Here are some big moments from the game that we tweeted.
***UPSET ALERT*** Blue Valley SW has recovered 2 @stasaints_FB fumbles on 1st 2 drives. have turned it into 10 pts. T'Wolves lead 10-0 in 1Q
— Ryan H. Marshall (@RMarshallSports) October 15, 2016
Blue Valley SW has stunned the St. Thomas Aquinas crowd. Fake punt & run for 52 yards sets up TD on next play. Timberwolves lead 17-0.
— Ryan H. Marshall (@RMarshallSports) October 15, 2016
St. Thomas Aquinas finally gets on the board with a 3 yard touchdown run. Blue Valley SW still leads 17-7 with 9 min left in the 2Q.
— Ryan H. Marshall (@RMarshallSports) October 15, 2016
Blue Valley SW Wide Receiver Billy Bartlett just scored on a 75 yard touchdown pass. Timberwolves now lead 23-20 with 4:51 left in the 3Q.
— Ryan H. Marshall (@RMarshallSports) October 15, 2016
Saint Thomas Aquinas retakes the lead with 6:05 left in the fourth quarter. They lead 27–23 over Blue Valley SW. This is quite a crazy game.
— Ryan H. Marshall (@RMarshallSports) October 15, 2016
It's not over! Blue Valley SW recovers Saint Thomas Aquinas fumble. They have the ball with 1:42
— Ryan H. Marshall (@RMarshallSports) October 15, 2016
Blue Valley SW scores the go-ahead touchdown with 0:44 left in the 4Q. The timberwolves take a 30–27 lead
— Ryan H. Marshall (@RMarshallSports) October 15, 2016
***UPSET COMPLETE*** Blue Valley SW earns first win as they take down #2 Saint Thomas Aquinas 30–27. Oh what a win for the Timberwolves.
— Ryan H. Marshall (@RMarshallSports) October 15, 2016
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Ryan Marshall can be reached at Ryan.Marshall@KSHB.com.
