ERIE — One prep quarterback with a certain football pedigree has established himself as captain of the fourth-quarter comeback – and it’s not Cherry Creek’s Jack Elway.
Holy Family senior Drew Hawkins, whose father is the University of Colorado head coach, was calm and cool engineering a go-ahead drive in the final minutes to beat host Erie 22-18 in a Class 2A state quarterfinals playoff game Saturday.
After completing a long pass over the middle in traffic, Hawkins scored the winning touchdown with an option.
“He’s a warrior,” Holy Family coach Jim Bratten said.
It was the second victory for Holy Family (10-1) over Flatirons League rival Erie (8-3) in three weeks, and the second fourth-quarter comeback in two playoff games this season.
Holy Family’s first two drives totaled 25 plays, racked up 158 yards and took 12 minutes, 34 seconds. The first drive ended with Andy Maul’s 15-yard touchdown, and the second drive was capped by a Hawkins sneak.
Erie also scored touchdowns on its first two drives. The first was a 14-play march fueled by running back Alex Ortega. Chase Heffner’s 48-yard kickoff return set up the second TD. Two failed extra-point conversions left Erie trailing 14-12.
Thanks to a great punt return, Erie needed just five running plays and 29 yards to go ahead 18-14 with 10:32 remaining.
Holy Family began its winning drive with 4:20 left after Cody Hesse’s booming 53-yard punt pinned the visitors at their 18-yard line.
After a few running plays, Hawkins connected with Matt Melcher for a 12-yard gain. Two plays later, Hawkins hit Melcher again for 37 yards and a first down on Erie’s 11.
Hawkins scored on the next play, the 18 belly option play, with 1:15 left.
“When Melcher came up with that big catch down there, that’s exactly what we were looking for,” Hawkins said. “That kind of momentum pumps everyone up.”
Holy Family lined up to kick the extra point, but Bratten called a fake and holder Justin Langfield pitched the ball over his shoulder to a sprinting Maul, who just broke the goal line.
Hawkins completed 5-of-12 passes for 92 yards and carried 10 times for 55 yards. Maul had 95 yards on 20 carries.
Ortega led Erie with 97 yards on 17 carries.
Holy Family 7 7 0 8 – 22
Erie 0 12 0 6 – 18
HF – Maul 15 run (Gerry kick). E – Ortega 1 run (kick blocked). HF – Hawkins 1 run (Gerry kick). E – Ortega 13 run (pass failed). E – Fulton 9 run (pass failed). HF – Hawkins 11 run (Maul run).
