Meet the KC Star/810 Varsity Team of the Week: Rockhurst High School Hawklets football
.jpg "Aidan Ryan and the Rockhurst High football team have won some thrilling games en route to a 5-1 record.")
Rockhurst has enjoyed some thrilling high school football games through the decades, but it’s hard to top Friday night’s comeback.
The Hawklets, ranked No. 4 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, overcame a 38-15 deficit with less than five minutes to play for a 45-44 overtime win at No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas.
Rockhurst, 5-1, ranks in the Top Five in Missouri Class 6.
“The fortitude, the never-say-die mantra of this group — I couldn’t be more happy for them,” Rockhurst coach Kelly Donohoe said after Friday night’s stunning comeback. “This was a heck of a comeback ... that they’ll never forget.”
With St. Thomas Aquinas up 38-15 after a field goal with 8:46 left, Rockhurst began the unthinkable. The Hawklets scored on a drive aided by two 15-yard penalties, then tacked on a two-point conversion. At that point, trailing 38-23, the Hawklets recovered an onside kick and scored another touchdown.
With Aquinas looking to run out the clock, the Saints fumbled at midfield. With 24 seconds left, Rockhurst scored the TD — and two-point conversion — required to force overtime at 38-all.
After a Hawklets OT touchdown, the Saints answered ... but Mitch Forbes blocked the point-after to complete Rockhurst’s improbable victory.
The win marked the third straight close decision for Rockhurst. The Hawklets won 24-21 on a field goal as time expired at Bentonvile (Arkansas), then beat Bishop Miege 21-14.
Quarterback Ethan Hansen has helped lead the senior-laden Hawklets with 814 passing yards and 248 rushing. Senior Aidan Ryan is tops in rushing with 511 yards, while fellow senior Tommy Coppinger leads the team in tackles (45).
Rockhurst plays at Blue Springs Friday night.
For more stats, recaps, rankings, online broadcasts, visit 810Varsity.com.