Timberjacks Win Homecoming Game 66-20

The Hayfork football team won their homecoming game against Butte Valley on Friday, Sept. 30 at a whopping 66-20. 

“It was a close game for a half and then a 28 point third quarter turned the game into a rout,” said Timberjack Coach Mike Miller.    

The Play by Play

Butte Valley opened the scoring on a 21-yard TD pass to take an early 6-0 lead. Hayfork responded quickly, as Aidan Lorton returned the kickoff 60 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 6-6. Matt Sampson recovered an onside kick and then the Timberjacks marched down and finished off the drive with a 1-yard QB sneak by Levi Cavalli. Lorton ran in the 2-point conversion and Hayfork led 14-6.   

In the second quarter, Anthony Bonelli took the football directly from the Butte Valley running back and returned the fumble 47 yards for a touchdown. Cavalli ran in the 2-point conversion and the lead was 22-6.  

Butte Valley closed out the half with two touchdown passes. The Timberjacks fumbled twice and it led to both of the Butte Valley touchdowns. Hayfork led 22-20 at the half.

Hayfork came out fired up in the 3rd quarter as Trenton Haight returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown to bring the score to 28-20. Lorton recovered the onside kick, and the Timberjacks finished off the drive with a 10-yard TD run by Cavalli to lead 34-20.  

Hayfork got a stop on defense and at the end of a brief drive Cavalli scored on another 1-yard QB sneak. Cavalli also ran in the 2-point play, and the Timberjacks led 42-20.  

Lorton then scored at the end of the quarter on a 5-yard TD run. Cavalli again ran in the 2-point conversion and Hayfork led at the end of the 3rd quarter 50-20. Lorton recovered another onside kick, and Hayfork scored on an 11-yard TD run by Kaden Lee. Lorton ran in the 2-point play to increase the lead to 58-20.  

The Timberjacks closed out the scoring with a 21-yard TD run by Bonelli. Cavalli ran in the 2-point conversion and the final score was 66-20.

The Big Picture

Hayfork scored nine touchdowns during the night and they were six for nine on 2-point conversions. One of the TD's came on special teams, (Lorton on a kick-off return), and two of the TD's came on defense (Haight and Bonelli).  “We played much better defense this week as we forced and recovered five fumbles,” Miller said. “We also scored twice on defense, and our special teams made the big difference in the game. Not only did we have a kickoff return for a touchdown, but we also recovered three onsides kicks. That gave our offense three extra possessions.”

Lorton had a big night as he carried the ball 17 times for 150 yards with one touchdown and two conversions. He also had the kickoff return for a touchdown, caught four passes for 77 yards, and had 10 tackles (7 solo) on defense. 

Cavalli, in his first high school game, carried the ball 24 times for 110 yards with three touchdowns and four conversions. He also completed four passes for 77 yards. 

Lee carried the ball 16 times for 100 yards and one touchdown. Anthony Bonelli also had a big night as he had the one touchdown run on offense, and he forced two fumbles and scored on defense. 

“It was great to see us come out fired up in the second half, but in all of our games this year, we just seem to have a slow start,” Miller said. As of this game, Timberjacks are now 4-1 on the season and 1-0 in league with the next game in Chester. Miller expressed that the team is ready for the game, “We need to find a way to start fast and we look forward to the challenge of playing a tough Chester team on the road.”