Blue Jays battle to the end, fall in overtime

Kaden Branam (5) runs during Charleston’s 36-34 loss in the semifinal round of the MSHSAA Class 1, District 1 Tournament at Crystal City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

CRYSTAL CITY, Mo. — In a dramatic semifinal clash in the MSHSAA Class 1, District 1 Tournament, Charleston faced a heart-wrenching 36-34 defeat at Crystal City on Friday, Nov. 15.

The contest was a whirlwind of emotions, culminating in an overtime showdown that left the Blue Jays (7-4, 4-1 SEMO South) just shy of victory.

“We played very hard the whole game and didn’t give up,” said Charleston coach Justin Hutchings. “It was a great playoff game and I am proud of my guys’ effort all season.”

Charleston set the tone early, with CJ Kimble scoring a rushing touchdown to give the team a 6-0 lead with just over five minutes left in the opening quarter.

The Hornets (6-5) quickly responded with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Nolan Eisenbeis to Landon Patton, followed by an 86-yard connection between Eisenbeis and Evan Wolfe, putting Crystal City ahead 14-6 with 11:45 left in the second quarter.

However, Bernard Betts answered with a 61-yard touchdown run, narrowing the gap to 14-12.

The first half was marked by missed opportunities and near-misses for the Blue Jays. Timothy Frazier Jr.’s interception, which could have shifted momentum, was marred by a penalty that nullified his pick-six. A fumble at the Crystal City 5-yard line further thwarted Charleston’s efforts to seize control before halftime.

The Blue Jays displayed a heightened level of urgency in the second half. Chase Kearby’s 50-yard touchdown pass to Trenez Lane, aided by a fortuitous deflection, and Deshaun Henderson’s successful 2-point conversion put Charleston ahead 20-14 with 10:48 left in the third quarter.

Crystal City quickly answered with a 52-yard touchdown run by Landyn DeRousse on the first play of their next drive, tying the game 20-20 with 10:37 left in the third quarter.

A blocked punt by the Hornets soon after allowed them to advance to the Charleston 2-yard line, but the Blue Jays’ defense held firm with Jaxon Hightower’s sack on third down and Mor’tonion Hall’s pressure on fourth down, forcing a turnover on downs.

Crystal City gained a 28-20 advantage after returning a fumble for about 40 yards for a touchdown with 11:22 left in the fourth quarter.

But Charleston refused to yield, tying the game at 28-28 with a gritty five-yard touchdown run by Betts and a clutch two-point conversion pass from Kearby.

Charleston’s defense continued to deliver, with Lane securing a crucial interception.

As regulation time waned, Crystal City advanced into the red zone, but a combined effort from Julian Rigney, Henderson, TJ Farries, and Keishundrau Orr forced and recovered a fumble, pushing the game into overtime.

In overtime, Crystal City scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by Ricardo Pastrana, followed by a successful 2-point conversion from Eisenbeis to Patton. Charleston faced a daunting 4th-and-goal but managed to score with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Kearby to Betts.

However, the Blue Jays fell agonizingly short on the 2-point conversion run.

This was not the ending Charleston had envisioned, and the emotional weight of the loss was gut-wrenching.

In the end, it wasn’t meant to be.

But the lessons learned from this hard-fought battle will shape these young men for years to come. They’ve experienced the highs and lows of the game, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

These experiences will mold them into stronger individuals and better players.