By showing composure, Hornets earn chance to play at home one more time

TOLEDO, Ill. — Forced to play three straight road games in October and then having to face the No. 1-ranked team in the only home game down the stretch, Brown County football coach Tom Little sensed his players’ disappointment in not getting one last great experience at the Nest.

Next week has the chance to make amends for it all.

The 13th-seeded Hornets showed composure and the ability to control the clock with an efficient ground game in Saturday’s 24-14 victory over fourth-seeded Toledo Cumberland in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs. It sends Brown County (6-4) home to face fifth-seeded Arcola (8-2) next Saturday.

“When they realized they were going to get to play at home, there was a huge roar from the team,” Little said. “We get to go back to the Nest and play at least one more time.”

The way the Hornets responded to its lead being whittled to just two points made it possible.

Brown County went ahead 16-7 with 9.3 seconds remaining in the first half when Brody Woodward caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Tate Fullerton and was set to receive the kickoff to start the third quarter.

“Opening the second half, we were hoping to put a long drive together and go,” Little said.

The Hornets’ initial drive stalled, and the Pirates put together a 69-yard scoring drive to pull within 16-14 with 5:57 remaining in the third quarter.

“I said to our coaches, ‘We’re going to see what kind of kids we have,’” Little said. “After that score, I think they refocused more. They were like, ‘We’re going to come down and control the ball. We’re going to be physical. We’re going to get those first downs.’ A lot of credit goes to them and their mental toughness today.”

Brown County answered with a 10-minute, 65-yard drive culminating with Ezra Keokum’s 1-yard touchdown plunge. Woodward’s two-point conversion run made it a 24-14 lead.

The defense made the lead last. The Hornets intercepted a pass on the Pirates’ ensuing possession to snuff out any real hopes of a rally.

“Defensively, guys were communicating and talking,” Little said. “We saw a lot of good stuff on the defense side. Guys were helping each other line up correctly and making sure they were in the right spots. There was a lot of gang tackling.”