<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=29nvoG_0vk4D2ZT00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=29nvoG_0vk4D2ZT00" width="1691" height="1226" ><figcaption>Tri-West's Wanson Hall looks for running room as Danville's Cole Stafford and Hutton Simmons close in.&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>Former Duke basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski, once said, “Great rivalries don’t have to be built on hatred. They’re built on respect, on a respect for excellence.” While there are certainly strong emotions among players and fans from both Tri-West and Danville, this rivalry exists because of the competitive nature of the game between these two programs. No matter how the season is going for either of these teams, this annual match- up produces a competitive display of excellence on each side, that often results in close games with exciting finishes. The Warriors-Bruins match up from last Friday might very well go down as the most exciting, and eventful, game in the history of this series.I made the mistake of only getting to the stadium 30 minutes before kickoff rather than an hour before kickoff. The parking lot, with a construction war zone surrounding it, was already full. The “late” arrivers were relegated to parking on the periphery of the school property, including the grass of the administration building. As I walked the 600 yards or so to the gate, I saw yet another sign of the importance of this game in what seemed like many more “tailgaters” taking in the sights and smells of pregame celebration and the food that comes with it. The excitement was palpable.The coverage of this game picks up at the 2:15 mark of the first quarter. This is because the weather decided that it wanted to be a part of this year’s story. There were lightning strikes around the stadium which resulted in a one hour and 42-minute delay.The Bruins drew first blood when Senior Malachi Walden ran in for a score on the quarterback keeper from four yards out. This score was set up by a short punt by Danville that gave Tri- West the ball at the Warrior 32-yard line. They led 7-0 with 10:39 left in the second quarter.Sophomore Quarterback Carter Ward, who is filling in for the injured Conner Soper, settled in nicely after a pre-delay interception. He methodically drove the offense down the field 80 yards for a score when Ethan Wooten ran it in from eight yards out. The game was tied at 7 apiece at the 6:37 mark of the second quarter.The teams traded unsuccessful possessions when Danville forced a second straight three-and-out for the Bruins. On the ensuing punt attempt, Senior Carter Pruet blocked the kick, giving the Warriors a first-and-goal at the Bruin seven yard-line. They wasted no time when on the very next play, Wooten ran it in for his second score of the night. The Warriors led 14-7 with just 1:32 left in the first half. Tri-West had a quick answer when just 38 seconds later, Sophomore Quarterback Jackson Sorgi (son of former Colts quarterback Jim Sorgi) connected with Senior Receiver Thaddeus Brown in the end zone. The game was tied at 14 apiece. Content with the state of the game, Coach Comer ran the clock down and the teams headed to the halftime locker room.Danville received the second half kickoff but were unsuccessful and had to punt it away to the Bruins. Tri-West started the drive at the Warriors 42- yard line and cashed in quickly after Sorgi connected with Senior Nate Hiland from 22 yards out for the score. The extra point was missed so the lead stayed at 20-14.The momentum continued to shift in the direction of the Bruins when Senior Kellen Dakin stepped in front of a Ward pass that was intended for Wooten deep in Tri-West territory. Sorgi started to move the Bruins down the field when he returned the favor and threw the ball right into the arms of Danville’s Steven Webb. The Warriors took over at their own 39-yard line.Ward took advantage of a roughing the passer penalty and led the team down the field. Junior Running Back Minh Vu got into the action when he sped through the line 20 yards down field and into the end zone to tie the game at 20-20. The extra point by Colby Harvey gave Danville the one-point lead late in the third quarter.Danville would eventually push their lead to 28-20 when Senior Sutton Fulwider ran it in on fourth and goal from the 2-yard line. With just 4:06 left in the game, it looked like Danville might be in the driver’s seat. The game was not over.With precise and proficient passing, Sorgi took his team right down the field like a seasoned veteran. Walden finished the drive with a one-yard walk in touchdown with 33 seconds left. Tri-West needed a 2-point conversion to tie the game and send it to overtime. Walden did just that.In overtime, Tri-West had the first possession and on the very first play, Running Back Kaleb Pfeifer ran it right through the defensive line and into the endzone. They led 35-28. The overtime rules require that each team receive at least one possession from their opponents 10-yard line. It was now Danville’s turn.Wooten took the ball on the first two plays down to the fi ve-yard line and Fulwider took the third-down-play down to the one-foot line. Ward took care of the final foot on a keeper and pulled Danville to within one point at 35-34.Coach Comer was not interested in multiple overtime sessions. He took the aggressive route and sent his offense back onto the field for the two point conversion try. Ward lined up under center with Fulwider on the left end of the offensive line. Fulwider motioned to the right, heading toward the backfield when Ward took the snap and tossed it to him as he swept right, got outside of the defenders and crossed the goal line at the last possible second to score the two points. The crowd erupted, Fulwider yanked his helmet off in celebration as the team surrounded him on the sideline.Danville won the Helmet Game in thrilling fashion by the final score of 36-35.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Warriors Bring Helmet Trophy Back to Danville in Thriller

Former Duke basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski, once said, “Great rivalries don’t have to be built on hatred. They’re built on respect, on a respect for excellence.” While there are certainly strong emotions among players and fans from both Tri-West and Danville, this rivalry exists because of the competitive nature of the game between these two programs. No matter how the season is going for either of these teams, this annual match- up produces a competitive display of excellence on each side, that often results in close games with exciting finishes. The Warriors-Bruins match up from last Friday might very well go down as the most exciting, and eventful, game in the history of this series.