Hubbard football coach Elton Harris isn’t afraid of taking risks. So when his Greyhounds were holding on to a slim fourth-quarter lead against Simeon in the Public League semifinals, Harris didn’t hesitate to make two gutsy calls.
Both gambles paid off, as Hubbard defeated the Wolverines 12-10 Monday night at Gately. The Greyhounds will go for their second consecutive Public League title Saturday at Gately when they face Collins at 5 p.m.
“We’re such a young team,” Harris said. “We have 51 guys and only six seniors. I think we grew up a tonight.”
Hubbard took a 12-8 lead, its first of the game, on a 1-yard run by Kelvin Hayden in the opening minute of the fourth quarter. Although Hubbard’s defense, which sacked Simeon quarterback Dana Spraggs five times, held the Wolverines to a paltry two yards in the third quarter, the Greyhounds had to survive two gut-wrenching moments down the stretch.
With under four minutes remaining and facing a fourth-and-1 at their own 25, Harris opted to go for a first down. Hayden picked up six yards to keep the drive alive and the clock running.
Three plays and two penalties later Hubbard (11-2) faced a fourth-and-30 from its own 11. Simeon’s Michael Nealy had blocked a punt in the first half, convincing Harris he should have punter Juan Dominguez take an intentional safety.
Simeon (10-3) took over at the Hubbard 46 with one minute, 38 seconds remaining. The Wolverines drove inside the Hubbard 35 before a big hit by Hayden separated the ball from a scrambling Spraggs at the 21-yard line. Martell Taylor recovered to seal the Hubbard win.
“Both defenses played a heck of a game,” Harris said of a group that enjoyed two sacks apiece from Jermaine Phillips and Vendonn Simmons. “I had to go for it on fourth down and I had to take the safety. The way they were playing, I figured I might as well keep the defense out there.”
Hayden finished with 160 yards on 24 carries. Simeon’s Talib Wise rushed for 108 yards on 18 carries and scored the Wolverines’ lone touchdown on a four-yard plunge late in the first quarter.
