AUBURN - The Auburn football team didn't need the comeback magic it needed to defeat Henninger in the Section III playoffs last year, but the Maroon defense cast a spell on the Black Knights nonetheless.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Auburn running back Lamar Henry gets past Henninger defensive back Greg Spears for a first down during the first quarter of Friday evening's game at Holland Stadium.
Auburn running back Lamar Henry gets past Henninger defensive back Greg Spears for a first down during the first quarter of Friday evening's game at Holland Stadium.
Auburn forced four turnovers in a 29-14 CNYCL victory over Henninger. Nick Lepak recovered an early fumble, while Matt Wild and Matt Hoey had picks.
Stefan Nguyen had one of the most important defensive plays of the game, a 21-yard interception return with about 30 seconds left to put the game out of reach.
Though the Black Knights had the firepower of quarterback Tim Rommel at their disposal, Henninger (2-3) coach Dave Kline opted to rush for the majority of snaps. The Auburn (3-2) defense wasn't fooled, and held the trio of backs to under 100 yards.
Rommel didn't find any rhythm until late in the first half. The senior led the Black Knights on a 48-yard scoring drive that took just over a minute to execute. Rommel found Shaquille Leggett for a 15-yard touchdown as time expired in the second quarter.
Matt Wild had scored on a 10-yard pass from Chris Gomez and Hoey rushed for a touchdown to give Auburn a 14-8 lead at halftime, but the Black Knights second quarter momentum carried into the third.
With 7.9 seconds to go, Rommel found Dwayne Carmen for a 30-yard score on a 4th-and-10.
The Maroon offense had stopped moving the ball efficiently, but a big defensive stop gave Auburn renewed life. Wild stuffed Greg Spears on a 4th-and-2 to give the Maroons the ball back on their own 32 with under 10 minutes to play.
Despite losing yet another running back due to injury as Lamor Henry appeared to suffer a shoulder injury in the first half (starter Ismail Brooks has been out for two games), Malcolm Bryant and Hoey helped Auburn inch down the field on its ensuing drive.
Gomez completed three passes, including a nine-yard pass to Wild to put the Maroons up, 21-14.
With just over six minutes left, the Black Knights had more than enough time to come back and take the lead. But on a fourth down with 3:25 left, Wild picked off Rommel for the second time.
The Maroons ran the ball several times before giving the ball up with 1:31 left. Punter Hoey pinned the Black Knights at their own 10. Rommel threw an incompletion and was sacked before throwing his third interception.
Gomez finished with 141 yards passing including two touchdowns and Hoey led the defense with 15 tackles.
Auburn travels to Baldwinsville next Friday before finishing out the regular season at home against Central Square on Oct. 12. The Maroons last two opponents are a combined 2-6 going into tonight's games.
Stefan Nguyen had one of the most important defensive plays of the game, a 21-yard interception return with about 30 seconds left to put the game out of reach.
Though the Black Knights had the firepower of quarterback Tim Rommel at their disposal, Henninger (2-3) coach Dave Kline opted to rush for the majority of snaps. The Auburn (3-2) defense wasn't fooled, and held the trio of backs to under 100 yards.
Rommel didn't find any rhythm until late in the first half. The senior led the Black Knights on a 48-yard scoring drive that took just over a minute to execute. Rommel found Shaquille Leggett for a 15-yard touchdown as time expired in the second quarter.
Matt Wild had scored on a 10-yard pass from Chris Gomez and Hoey rushed for a touchdown to give Auburn a 14-8 lead at halftime, but the Black Knights second quarter momentum carried into the third.
With 7.9 seconds to go, Rommel found Dwayne Carmen for a 30-yard score on a 4th-and-10.
The Maroon offense had stopped moving the ball efficiently, but a big defensive stop gave Auburn renewed life. Wild stuffed Greg Spears on a 4th-and-2 to give the Maroons the ball back on their own 32 with under 10 minutes to play.
Despite losing yet another running back due to injury as Lamor Henry appeared to suffer a shoulder injury in the first half (starter Ismail Brooks has been out for two games), Malcolm Bryant and Hoey helped Auburn inch down the field on its ensuing drive.
Gomez completed three passes, including a nine-yard pass to Wild to put the Maroons up, 21-14.
With just over six minutes left, the Black Knights had more than enough time to come back and take the lead. But on a fourth down with 3:25 left, Wild picked off Rommel for the second time.
The Maroons ran the ball several times before giving the ball up with 1:31 left. Punter Hoey pinned the Black Knights at their own 10. Rommel threw an incompletion and was sacked before throwing his third interception.
Gomez finished with 141 yards passing including two touchdowns and Hoey led the defense with 15 tackles.
Auburn travels to Baldwinsville next Friday before finishing out the regular season at home against Central Square on Oct. 12. The Maroons last two opponents are a combined 2-6 going into tonight's games.
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