Bernards football gets two scores in 50 seconds, adds last-minute TD in dramatic win

This story has been updated with new information.

BERNARDSVILLE — Though unbeaten, Bernards was considered untested in some quarters by only picking on schools their own size.

The Mountaineers had their game with Summit circled on their calendars, not only for the power-point implications but for the opportunity to prove themselves against a bigger school, and a quality program at that.

Bernards passed the test but it wasn’t easy as the Mountaineers (7-0), ranked 14th in the mycentraljersey.com rankings , rallied to score the winning touchdown in the final minute for a hard-fought, 29-22 decision over their visitors from Union County.

“We knew we needed to win this one to have one more night on Olcott Field,” Bernards coach Jon Simoneau said after his team clinched a home game in the first round of the playoffs with the triumph.

Terrence Hanratty, who turned in a fierce performance at middle linebacker including a crucial fumble recovery, bulled his way into the end zone from 5 yards out for the winning score with 55 seconds remaining.

“It was the first time we played a bigger school with more talent, they have guys going one way while we have 11 guys playing offense and defense,” said Hanratty, before describing his winning touchdown run. “I wasn’t going to let anybody stop me, I was dragging the pile with me.”

Bernards never led in the contest until late in the third quarter when sophomore Nolan Walsh hooked up with senior Jack Morra for touchdown passes of 59 and eight yards a mere 50 seconds apart after No. 15 Summit (4-2) fumbled the ball away on successive plays.

Hanratty recovered the first and Bernards answered with the bomb to Morra. The second provided Bernards with a 21-15 edge with 2:53 left in the third quarter.

“When we needed a play, our middle linebacker went and got the ball and made a play,” Simoneau said of Hanratty. “When we were a little panicked in the beginning, making mistakes early on, he calmed us down.”

Both teams failed to convert fourth downs on their next possessions around their opponent’s 30 yard lines and Summit regained the lead by marching 65 yards in nine plays with Gavin Schnall finishing from five yards out for a 22-21 advantage with 4:06 to play.

The Hilltoppers, who often run a no-huddle attack, picked up a pair of illegal participation penalties late in the drive as Bernards couldn’t get their players off the field.

No problem.

Bernards responded by driving 65 yards in nine plays for the winning score, connecting on a pair of screen passes before finishing the sequence with six straight running plays against the beleaguered Summit defense.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Bernards football gets two scores in 50 seconds, adds last-minute TD in dramatic win