ROSSVILLE Even in the bitterest of colds, the most magical moments can occur; just ask the 2018 Humboldt football team.
The undefeated 11-0 Cubs inked their name in school history Friday night after a 24-22 rock fight of a win over Rossville gave them their first sectional championship in school history.
This is our first sectional championship, head coach Logan Wyrick said. Ever. Not only have our kids never done it but no one in school history has. Im just so proud of them. I had to compose myself at the end of the game because I just love this group so much.
Its been a special journey, one thats still ongoing mind you, for a Humboldt team thats done nothing but win and win convincingly all year long.
That was a dogfight, senior quarterback Dagen Goodner said. That was a football game right there and to come out on top and make history is amazing but were not done yet. Weve busted our butts in the offseason and worked for this.
Goodner led the way for the Cubs as hes done all season, recording two rushing touchdowns in the game and converting two key two-point conversions.
Hes the best leader Ive ever been around, Wyrick said. Bar none. Hes the real deal. I told them in our last drive that he was going to have to run tough. Im sure a couple of those hurt at the end but hes going to get over it. The win today meant more to him than everybody.
Goodner was also key in salvaging a first half that started poorly.
ON THE first two drives, Goodner and junior running back Conor Haviland each fumbled, setting Rossville up to a 10-0 lead.
I think it was nerves and the fact that it was just so cold, Wyrick said. That was probably the first fumble for either of them. You dont want to make excuses for it, but after those two, there werent any more problems. They got loose and adjusted to it.
Things stood at that 10-0 deficit heading into the final five minutes of the first half when the Cubs caught a break on a blocked punt. A big pass from Goodner to senior Tucker Hurst set up a 5-yard touchdown by Goodner. A pop-pass from Goodner to Hurst on the two-point conversion cut Rossvilles lead to 10-8 at the half.
The Bulldogs got the ball to start the third quarter and took just two plays to go up 16-8 after a missed extra point.
On the Cubs ensuing drive, Goodner got shaken up and had to exit the game for a couple possessions. With Goodner out, Haviland took the reins and took off, breaking free on his best run of the night. He followed that up with a 2-yard touchdown run. His two-point conversion knotted the score at 16-16 with 9 minutes to play in the third quarter.
(Haviland) just needed that one play to kind of shake the cobwebs loose, Wyrick said. After that, he kind of understood what it was going to take and then he got the interception. Hes a heck of a tailback and a heck of football. No matter what football field hes on, hes going to be one of the most athletic people on it.
