Hermann Bearcats Surprise Sullivan Football In Last Minute Of Thrilling Homecoming Clash

Hermann seized the game-winner with 25 seconds remaining in the match, winning 36-35 over Sullivan in an exciting Homecoming match.

“Penalties and a late turnover” is what head coach Eddie Haar says cost the Eagles the victory in the final moments.

Sullivan in total had two turnovers on offense, one of them a fumble that led to Hermann’s game-winning drive. Flags thrown by referees also paved the way for the Bearcats to move the chains.

The last score was a Hermann 2-point conversion from the 17-yard line, which followed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Bearcats wide receiver Nolan Brune caught a tipped ball for the victory.

Despite the frustrating loss, Haar will continue to emphasize to his team that the key to success is consistency, explaining, “We did a good job of getting their offense into third downs, but we just could not get [them] off [the] field, either due to penalties or them just converting. This one hurt for sure, but I know we will be better because of it.”

The Eagles and the Bearcats both entered this match with 4-1 records. Hermann was seeking their first win against Sullivan since 2014.

Sullivan racked up a total of 382 yards, with Hermann just behind at 322.

Wide receiver Seth Valley caught an impressive 3 touchdown passes and hauled in 124 receiving yards.

Sullivan quarterback Robert York II passed for 136 yards, throwing 3 touchdowns and 1 interception.

For 22 rushes, Homecoming king Franky Erxleben led the team with 164 yards and ran in a touchdown. Dominic Ransom rushed for 62 yards and also picked up a score. York had 43 yards and Dayton Skaggs 28.

To kick off this nail-biter, York launched a 63-yard touchdown pass to Valley, who escaped away from two Bearcats into the endzone.

Hermann struck back with three scores for a 21-7 lead, with the Eagles struggling to tighten their coverage as Bearcat receivers easily found gaps deep in the field.

While Hermann was excelling in their passing game, Sullivan had trouble replicating the success of their first touchdown, failing to convert crucial 4th downs through most of the first half and even turning the ball over.

With 2:55 left in the 2nd quarter, York and Valley worked their magic again on a 35-yard pass to boost Sullivan’s score to 14, igniting an Eagle comeback.

Still trailing by 7 points, the Eagles forced a turnover by popping the ball out of Hermann quarterback Trenton Lampkin’s grasp and recovered it just before halftime.

Valley then tied the game at 21-21 by clutching his third score of the night on a 26-yard catch into the endzone.

In the 3rd quarter, the rejuvenated Eagles took a 28-21 lead with Erxleben’s 69-yard rushing touchdown, as he cut through Hermann’s defensive line with no Bearcat able to match his speed.

Hermann tied it up again as Lampkin faked a handoff and sneaked into the end zone, making it anyone’s game.

For Sullivan’s final score of the night, York passed to Dominic Ransom, who cut through the middle to reach the pylon and give the Eagles a 35-28 lead.

When the Eagles later went on offense, they fumbled the ball for their second turnover of the night as the Bearcats stripped it from Erxleben while he was running.

After taking possession, Hermann began their game-winning drive. They initially struggled against Sullivan’s secondary but capitalized on penalties against the Eagles to move closer to the end zone.

With just 25 seconds remaining on the clock, Lampkin rolled out, threw under pressure to receiver Nolan Mercier for a touchdown.

Still trailing behind at 35-34, Hermann tried a 2-point conversion but was pushed back to the 17-yard line for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

For the game-winner, Lampkin threw deep into the end zone. The ball bounced off Colton Brendel, who attempted to intercept it, but it landed in the hands of receiver Brune for a miraculous Hermann victory of 36-35.