December 7th 2024.
The Mead football team was determined to make a comeback in the Class 3A state championship game against top-seeded Thompson Valley. They had all the necessary tools and players to pull off a last-minute win, but unfortunately, the Eagles proved to be too tough of an opponent. Despite their best efforts, the Mavericks fell short with a final score of 16-14 at Canvas Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the final five minutes being the most intense. It seemed like a classic match was in the making. The Eagles' defense forced a crucial fumble at midfield, and on the very next play, Mead's Charles Baker intercepted Thompson Valley's quarterback, Finley Lucas. The Mavericks took advantage of this opportunity and drove the ball all the way to the TVHS 31-yard line. However, they were stopped just one yard short and had to convert on a massive fourth down to keep their hopes alive.
The Eagles' defense, which had been impenetrable until that point, pushed the Mavericks back and forced them into a difficult 4th-and-14 situation. Unfortunately, the Mavericks couldn't convert, and senior quarterback Christian Hiner's pass fell incomplete. Despite this heartbreaking loss, Hiner was named the game's most outstanding player for his efforts in leading the team's charge back from an early deficit. He finished the game with 132 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Interestingly, this was not Hiner's first time playing in a 3A state championship game. Three years prior, he was a member of the Frederick team, but this time, he was determined to lead his team to victory. In a post-game interview, Hiner expressed his gratitude to his teammates and gave credit to Jesus Christ for his team's success. He also expressed his pride in being a part of the Mead team and stated that he wouldn't trade this experience for anything else.
Hiner was not the only standout player for the Mavericks in this hard-fought match. Baker also had an exceptional performance, intercepting Lucas twice, which helped offset the three turnovers that Mead had surrendered. Junior running back Ryan St. Aubin and senior wide receiver Noah Vroman also played crucial roles in keeping the Mavericks within striking distance with their impressive receiving touchdowns. In total, the Mavericks' offense gained 279 yards in their final game.
According to head coach Jason Klatt, the Mavericks' performance throughout the season was nothing short of incredible. He praised his team for their resilience and fighting spirit, even though they didn't have any standout offensive players. He also acknowledged the strength of their opponents and stated that no single player could stop them.
The game's turning point came in the second quarter when Hiner, who had struggled to complete a single pass, finally found his rhythm and connected with St. Aubin for a 26-yard touchdown. This helped boost the team's morale and set a boundary of not giving up. Despite trailing by nine points at halftime, the Mavericks came out fighting in the second half.
Unfortunately, they were plagued by penalties in the third quarter, which prevented them from making any significant progress. However, they rewrote their own story in the final 12 minutes of the game. Hiner shook off his first-half struggles and threw a beautiful 30-yard pass to Vroman, who ran straight into the end zone, making it a two-point game with just over 10 minutes remaining.
But the Eagles sealed their victory from there, and the Mavericks were left to reflect on their impressive season, which ended with an 11-2 record and a second state-runner up trophy in the past four years. Despite the disappointment, coach Klatt expressed his pride in his team's efforts and stated that they had maximized their potential. He also acknowledged the tough competition and gave credit to the Eagles for their victory.
As the Mavericks head back home, they can hold their heads high knowing that they gave it their all on the field. This experience will undoubtedly motivate them to come back stronger and fight for the state championship again next year. And as for their devoted fans, they can look forward to another exciting season of high school football in the future.
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