NEWARK – With the score tied 27-27 in overtime on Aug. 21, the fate of the 2026 season opener between the Newark Catholic and Huntington football teams rested on the right foot of Green Wave kicker Hal Gillespie.
The senior kept a short memory when lining up for his fourth extra point attempt of the game after having a 35-yard field goal blocked just minutes before. The fourth attempt followed the three before as Gillespie’s kick went through the uprights, sealing a 28-27 win for NC.
“I was just hoping for a good snap,” Gillespie said. “I got a great snap from Jack (Lohri), and I couldn’t have made it without my line.”
Led by senior quarterback Malone Hutchison, the NC offense came out firing on all cylinders early. Hutchison opened the scoring during the first possession, connecting with sophomore receiver Landon Cox for a 49-yard touchdown. The Huntsmen then responded with a 60-yard score from junior running back Gordon Cyrus, who finished with a game-high 100 rush yards.
However, the Green Wave dominated the second quarter, keeping the passing attack rolling. Hutchison added a 1-yard TD to senior H-back Alex Nagel and a 31-yard TD to senior RB Jaxon Holman, giving NC a 21-7 lead into the break.
“That start felt great. We had a ton of momentum (in the first half),” Hutchison said. “We needed to use that to push us through (the second half).”
With the NC defense limiting Huntington to 99 yards of offense in the first half, the Huntsmen earned a momentum swing with a fumble recovery from junior linebacker Cannon Kinzer in the third quarter. Senior QB Frankie Hirsch then took advantage, connecting with junior receiver Troy McDonald on a 3-yard score to cut the deficit to 21-14.
After trading possessions into the fourth quarter, the Green Wave leaned on its rushing attack. However, a slipping Hutchison was unable to recover an errant snap, giving Huntington an opportunity to extend the game. McDonald took full advantage two plays later, taking a reverse 77 yards to the end zone, tying the game 21-21 with an extra point.
“I thought we did well to fight back,” Huntington coach Clay Beeler said. “We faced a lot of adversity, and we came out and made some plays in that second half.”
Hutchison and the NC offense answered with a drive downfield at the end of regulation, setting up the 35-yard field goal for Gillespie that was blocked. Heading into overtime, Huntington kept the moment in its favor with a 3-yard rushing touchdown from Hirsch, but McDonald had his extra point blocked, opening the door for the Green Wave.
Facing a third-and-10, Hutchison found Cox again in a crucial situation for a 20-yard score. Gillespie then made the ensuing extra point, giving NC coach Tom Phillips his first win leading the program.
“All wins are great,” Phillips said. “We found a way to win, and that speaks volumes. I’m proud of these guys, and they fought well.”
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark Catholic football goes overtime to beat Huntington
Reporting by Cade Williamson, Correspondent / Newark Advocate
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cade Williamson, Correspondent | USA TODAY Network
