Wayne Trace’s Daron Showalter drives inside while Antwerp’s Nick Barnhouse attempts to avoid the tackle in the second quarter with Archer Jordan Laker attempting to stop the home team defense. More pictures at westbendnews.net
By Tim Copsey
The Antwerp Archers closed out their 2014 varsity football season Friday night at Wayne Trace High School, coming out on the short end of a 46-8 score. The Archers end their season with a record of 1-9 overall and 0-7 in the conference.
Unlike the week before, the weather was not fit for watching football. The typical wind that blows at Wayne Trace drove a steady rain well before kickoff and long into the night. As temperatures dropped the rain turned to sleet and finished in snow. The weather seemed to hamper both teams on early drives but the Raiders righted the ship and put points up early with a score at the 8:31 mark in the first period. They never looked back posting a 40-0 score at halftime.
With the running clock in effect the entire second half, time passed very quickly. Wayne Trace did score one last touchdown but Antwerp was able to put points on the board. With six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter Antwerp mounted their best drive of the evening. The Archers steadily marched the ball down the field until they got the ball inside the five yard line. Wayne Trace seemed to stiffen the defense a little as first and second down attempts failed but finally at the 4:30 mark Justice Clark plunged in from a yard out erasing the shut out. Clark then scored the two point conversion putting up eight points for the visitors.
The game brings an end to the careers of six seniors at Antwerp: Trenton Copsey, Nick Barnhouse, Alex Vail, Jarett Bute, Jordan Laker, and Jacob Patterson. Their years of dedication to the Archer program may not go down as memorable in terms of wins or losses, but will be a testament of their selfless drive and fortitude that will help them in life long after their football and student careers have ended. Joining them in their final game were juniors Justice Clark, Carlos Sanchez and Austin Wendt. These three players not only battled opponents week in and week out, but also adversity, as they played their junior seasons knowing there would be no senior finale.
Wayne Trace completed their regular season at 8-2 and continues on in the tournament facing their GMC nemesis, Tinora 10-0, next Friday, November 7.
