Biggs’ Cameron Kroupa brings down Maxwell receiver Celestino Corona in the first quarter of the NSCIF D5 semifinal round on Nov. 21.

MAXWELL, CA (MPG) – Sometimes in spite of putting forth one’s best effort, things just don’t go as planned and that is precisely what happened last Friday night in the Northern Section CIF Division V semifinal round game after the No. 3 seeded Wolverines’ battle against the No. 2 Panthers ended in an 8-17 defeat.

Early on however, it seemed as though Biggs might be poised for an upset when after going three and out on the game’s first possession, the Wolverine defense rose up and pinned Maxwell deep in its own territory after Peyton Drake sacked the Panther quarterback for a seven-yard loss inside the 10.

Then, on the ensuing punt, Ryan Flowers broke through to block it, putting the Wolverine offense in business at the Maxwell seven.

The Wolverines’ Peyton Drake sacks Panther quarterback Levi Velasquez during the semifinal round of the NSCIF D5 playoffs played on Nov. 21 in Maxwell.

Although Biggs was prevented from punching the ball in on a fourth down play, it took advantage of the good field position after the defense made another stand of its own and forced a second Panther punt.

Starting its third drive on the Maxwell 47, Biggs took three plays to get the ball down to the 34 before Hudson Brewer worked his way through the line and into the open field before out-running the defense for the game’s first points, which unfortunately for the Wolverines were their only of the night.

Still, after tacking on the two-point conversion, Biggs took an 8-0 lead into the second quarter, but after the Panthers had a touchdown called back due to penalty, the Wolverines were flagged for three penalties of their own, allowing Maxwell to complete the drive, punching it in from the one and knot the score at eight all.

As the two teams continued to slug it out, Biggs had an opportunity to gain the advantage midway through the second quarter although a holding penalty negated the would-be touchdown.

Wolverine fullback Ayden Owen takes a handoff in Biggs’ 8-17 loss to Maxwell in the NSCIF D5 semifinal round on Nov. 21.

Meanwhile, the Panthers responded with a 23-yard field goal to take an 11-8 lead and had an opportunity for more after the Wolverines failed to cover the pooch kick.

Once again though, the Biggs’ defense stood firm, and following a sack by Brewer, it forced a turnover on downs at its own 30-yard line with 43 seconds remaining before intermission.

Yet, nothing would come of the opportunity as the drive stalled at the Panther 44 yard line and the two teams headed to their respective ends of the field at the half.

Nonetheless, on Maxwell’s first possession of the third quarter, it was able to create more breathing room when they embarked on a 75-yard scoring drive, which were ultimately the final points scored in the game.

Even so, the Wolverines had a chance to close the gap on their subsequent possession when two Maxwell penalties on the kickoff resulted in the ball being placed at the Panther 26, but an interception in the end zone extinguished the threat.

Another opportunity presented itself in the fourth quarter when after a Biggs’ double pass fell incomplete, a roughing the passer penalty extended the drive, but the Maxwell defense made its second goal line stand to again thwart the attempt.

Biggs’ Hudson Brewer breaks through the line for a 38-yard touchdown. It was the only score for the No. 3 Wolverines in their 8-17 loss to No. 2 Maxwell on Nov. 21.

With a trip to the championship at stake, the game was chippy at times, resulting in a combined 19 penalties, 10 of which were committed by the Wolverines.

Still, that didn’t take away from the effort of the Biggs defense in particular, as they held the high-flying Maxwell offense to 21 points under its average.

In his final game for the Wolverines, Jordan Zamora made a game-high 15 tackles, Skyler Long and Cameron Kroupa finished with 12 apiece, while Brewer had 11.

For the offense, Long threw for 86 yards and rushed for another 72, Brewer carried four times for 65 yards and caught three passes for 27 more, while Cashton Acosta hauled in one pass for 43 yards.

Biggs concluded the season with an overall record of 7-5 and was the third place team in the Mid-Valley League standings.