Despite being in complete command with a 12-point lead early in the fourth quarter, Southeastern watched Henderson State put together a pair of long scoring marches to rally for a stunning 2120 decision on Homecoming Saturday.
Henderson State scored the game’s first eight points before the Savage Storm found its footing in dominating the middle two stanzas, although they only managed a pair of offensive touchdowns. That left the door open and the Reddies notched touchdowns on their final two possessions, including a spectacular fourth down reception.
“We had talked to the guys about it being a slugfest back and forth all day, but just couldn’t find a way to win,” Southeastern head coach Bo Atterberry commented. “They made a perfect throw and catch at the end.
“We have got to go to work for next week because nobody is going to feel sorry for us.”
With their defense controlling things, the Southeastern offense got the shot in the arm it needed when Luke Hohenberger came off the bench to direct a two-minute drive that started deep in the shadow of the Savage Storm goal.
A Hohenberger 10-yard run on third and long got it started ahead of three straight completions to a trio of receivers moving the ball to midfield.
Two Henderson State penalties pushed the ball further downfield with Hohenberger hitting Donovan Shannon for 13 yards and finally Gabe Corona on a 12-yard toss for the touchdown with 29 seconds remaining in the half.
That capped a 10-play, 98yard drive that took the momentum into the locker room with the Savage Storm.
Atterberry’s squad carried that momentum into the second half, taking the lead just 48 seconds into the third frame when Andrew Grissom picked up a Henderson fumble and returned it 40 yards to paydirt.
The Reddies managed just 47 yards on four third quarter possessions against an opportunistic Southeastern defense, but the Savage Storm had their own offensive struggles until beginning an 89-yard scoring drive late in the period.
A 36-yard Hohenberger toss to Victor Taylor Jr. converted a key third down and moments later Jonathan Cobb bolted 41 yards to the end zone for a 20-8 Southeastern edge with 14 minutes left.
That’s when things turned sour on the Savage Storm as a 31-yard pass on fourth and seven helped punch in a touchdown that narrowed the gap to 20-15.
After gaining a first down the Southeastern offense stalled and was forced to punt. Moments later a 55--yard touchdown pass gave the Reddies the lead with 3:57 to go and the Savage Storm was unable to answer.
Southeastern finished with 94 yards through the air and 135 on the ground led by Cobb’s 78 yards on nine carries. Hohenberger also had nine totes for 33 yards.
William Wallis sparked the solid defensive effort with 10 tackles as Braeden Winters and D’Teaurean Johnson posted nine each.
Southeastern will be back on the road Saturday at Southern Arkansas before returning for the season finale against rival East Central next week.
