Franklin College’s run atop the HCAC is over.
Turnovers, dropped passes and a very hungry Hanover College football team all added up to a rare conference defeat for the Grizzlies, 23-20, at Faught Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, Hanover’s first over Franklin since 2004, the Panthers not only get the Victory Bell but a long-sought after share of the HCAC championship, their first since 2003.
Hanover finished with a 7-1 league record, tied with Franklin and Mount St. Joseph atop the standings. The Panthers earned the HCAC’s automatic berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs via tiebreaker.
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The visitors won despite missing two key starters — quarterback Noah Wezensky, a Miami of Ohio transfer, and HCAC all-purpose yardage leader Shawn Coane, who was hurt last week in a win against Rose-Hulman.
Five turnovers — two interceptions and three fumbles — proved fatal for the Grizzlies.
“That was the story of the game,” said Franklin coach Mike Leonard. “And not only turnovers but turning the ball over on downs a couple of times. Give credit where credit is due; it was (Hanover’s) day today and I’m happy for their coaches, whom I know really well.”
Both teams had mistakes, and at the most inopportune times, in the first half. The Grizzlies’ Alex Frey came up with an end-zone interception, but that was evened out by a Jacob Earl fumble at the Hanover 1-yard line. The Panthers later intercepted Braden Smith in the red zone.
Franklin used a fine opening drive that culminated in Earl running in from the 7 to give the Grizzlies the first score of the game. Hanover matched that late in the first quarter when A.J. Breit threw to former Greenwood receiver Jackson Daugherty for a 14-yard score to even it up at 7.
In the third, Jacob Earl put the Grizzlies back up on a 17-yard scamper, but Hanover answered immediately, converting two fourth-down plays on the drive and scoring on a 1-yard sneak by Breit late in the third.
A field goal gave the Panthers their first lead of the game early in the fourth. That was countered by the Grizzlies, who marched 81 yards in 13 plays with Braden Smith plunging in from the 1.
With 3:47 left in the game, Breit hit Taylor Bleistei for a 48-yard score, but the Grizzlies still had time to pull it out. However, Smith scrambled out of the pocket and fumbled the ball away as he was tackled. Hanover then ran the clock out to seal the championship.
“The goal was to be champions, but this was an awesome team,” Leonard said. “They are best friends and that’s what we are. They were just a pleasure to coach. There was no drama or trouble, we didn’t have to deal with that stuff.
“That’s what made (this season) a pleasure.”
Earl led all rushers with 169 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.
