By MIKE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
AUBURNDALE - The special teams of Pacelli High School and Auburndale both had spectacular plays, but the play that decided the game was ordinary.
With the game tied in the final minute, the Apaches' Brian Bauer split the uprights on a 26-yard field goal, giving Auburndale a 17-14 win over Pacelli in the first round of the WIAA playoffs.
In a game marred by penalties that limited the offenses, Pacelli returned two punts for a touchdown and Auburndale had one too.
"The offense didn't score any points on either team, except for the field goal at the end," Pacelli coach Bob Raczek said.
The Apaches got on the scoreboard in the first quarter when Lucas Hamm stepped in front of Pacelli running back Ahern Cashin and intercepted Brad Heeg's pass. Hamm ran untouched down the right sideline for a 30-yard score.
The Cardinals answered with the first of two punt returns, early in the second quarter. Freshman Jake Owens got around the left corner and sprinted down the sideline for a touchdown of more than 60 yards.
After Pacelli's defense held Auburndale, the Apaches were forced to punt again, with the same result. This time, Cashin caught the punt in the middle of the field and ran through a seam before angling to the right side of the field for a 60-yard touchdown.
Jeff Herzog, who was questionable for the game with a rib injury, connected on the extra point to give the Cardinals a 14-7 lead.
Each offense struggled with penalties over the final three quarters and a holding penalty cost the Apaches a touchdown. Midway through the second quarter, Luke Krug had a six-yard touchdown run called back because of a flag. Pacelli's defense then held Auburndale and the Apaches turned the ball over on downs.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Auburndale tied the game at 14-14 when Corey Schill returned a punt 60 yards, cutting across the field to the end zone.
"We had a breakdown and we gave them one back," Raczek said.
Pacelli, like Auburndale, continued to be hurt by penalties, although the most damaging may have come with about 1:30 remaining. The Cardinals' drive was stalled and Pacelli faked a punt on fourth down. Cashin took the short snap and connected with Owens for the first down.
The play was negated by a holding penalty and on the ensuing punt, the Cardinals had a low snap and while bending to grab the football, punter Simon Hesch's knee touched the ground, downing the ball and giving Auburndale the football at the 14 yard line with 1:23 remaining.
"In 40 years of coaching, I've never seen anything like this. The way they called the game, they took the game away from the kids," Raczek said. "That was the reason the offenses on both sides had a hard time getting going. When it's first and 20, first and 30, it's hard to get the offense started."