The Green Wave added a touchdown in OT but could not convert the two-point conversion.
Bucktail junior Willie Hopkins was all over the field as the ball-hawking cornerback intercepted two passes and broken up several more. On offense, Hopkins carried the ball 17 times for 42 yards and a score. He also had three receptions for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Freshman Dan Lozada led the Green Wave in rushing and passing, carrying the ball 16 times for 68 yards and a score. He also completed 10-of-31 passes for 202 yards with two touchdowns.
“I felt pressure, but it didn’t really affect me because the line was hitting their blocks and gave me excellent protection,” Lozada said of the pressure in the fourth quarter and overtime. “Also I knew that the other players have the ability to score in big moments so I knew we all had each other’s back.”
Nativity scored on its first offensive play of the game when Lozada threw a strike to senior wide out Brady Morgan for a 48-yard touchdown catch. The score remained the same throughout the 1st quarter as the Green Wave led 7-0.
The fourth quarter had no scoring until 38 seconds left as senior Aric Foster hit a 22-yard field goal tying the game and forcing OT.
Bucktail was on offense first in overtime a 1 yard Trent Risley run and a onverted two-point conversion gave the Bucks defense an eight-point cushion as they stepped on to the field.
Lozada threw a 10-yard strike to senior wide out Kyle Kaledas. Nativity tried some trickery on the two-point conversion, but it did not work as the Bucks D sniffed it out to preserve the victory
Eastern Conference is still a possibility for Nativity, but its chances for a home playoff game are all but done. The Green Wave need to beat Hancock (Md.) next week to guarantee eligibility for the Eastern Conference playoffs. A win would not guarantee a spot either as the Green Wave would need some help to reach EC.
