Comets Best Rockets Through Second Half Grind
The Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Comets mounted an impressive second-half comeback to secure a 28-14 victory over the Underwood Rockets, advancing in the playoffs with momentum and determination. After a slow start, the Comets exploded in the fourth quarter to seal the win in front of an energized home crowd.
The game started off defensively, with neither team putting points on the board in the first quarter. Underwood struck first in the second quarter with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Drew Evavold to Kaleb Hammes, but Hillcrest responded quickly when quarterback Ethan Swedberg connected with Isaac Blaskowski on a 28-yard touchdown pass, tying the game 6-6 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Underwood regained the lead with a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Drew Evavold, followed by a successful 3-yard conversion run, putting the Rockets up 14-6. Hillcrest answered back with a 20-yard touchdown run by Thor Ewan, who showcased his speed and vision to cut through Underwood’s defense. Swedberg tied the game again with a 3-yard conversion run, setting up a thrilling final quarter.
The fourth quarter belonged entirely to the Comets. Swedberg capped a powerful drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, giving Hillcrest their first lead of the night, 20-14. Swedberg wasn't done yet, adding another 3-yard conversion run to extend the lead to 22-14. Thor Ewan put the game out of reach with his second touchdown of the night, a 6-yard run that showcased his strength and determination, securing the final score of 28-14.
Ethan Swedberg led the Comets' offense with 49 rushing yards, two touchdowns on the ground, and a touchdown through the air, while Thor Ewan powered his way to 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns. On the defensive side, Thor Ewan was also a force, leading the Comets with 9.5 tackles. Nathan Bermel added a key sack, and Griffin Haus contributed 2.5 tackles, helping to shut down Underwood’s offense in the final quarter.
The Comets will advance to the next round of the playoffs, with their eyes set on continuing their postseason journey. With strong performances on both sides of the ball.