Broncos Win on Last Second Field Goal

Barrington’s sophomore kicker Daniel Kubiuk wasn’t at all fazed by his blocked extra point from earlier in the game when he was called upon to kick a 21 yard field goal with just four seconds left in the game.

“You always hope to hit every kick you get,” Kubiuk said of the block that left the Broncos trailing 21-20 early in the fourth quarter.  “Luckily I got a second chance and was able to redeem myself.”

“I was nervous and said a prayer,” Kubiuk went on to say of his game winning field goal he hit as time expired that gave Barrington the 29-28 win over MSL West conference rival Conant (5-2, 1-2).  “All the credit goes to Mark (Bennett) who had a great hold and (Ryan) Mersch our snapper, this is what we do in practice every day.”

What Barrington wasn’t probably preparing for in practice every day last week was Conant’s junior wide receiver Tim Manczko who was forced into action orchestrating a wildcat offense rather than the pro-style offense the Cougars ran with senior quarterback Matt Cullen.  Cullen who was injured early in the second quarter finished 4 of 6 for 87 yards and had three of those receptions fall in the hands of Manczko (21 yards).

Manczko, who seemed to be doing it all for the Cougars, started the scoring with a 7 yard run that finished a quick 4 play drive that spanned 77 yards for Conant’s early 7-0 lead. 

Manczko, who played as quarterback during his freshman year and so therefore wasn’t at all out of place behind center, would end the game with a team high 138 yards rushing (23 carries), with most of that coming from the wildcat formation, and three rushing touchdowns (7, 35 and 3 yarder).  He also finished 4 of 7 passing for 58 yards and threw for a touchdown.

“We had an extra blocker in our running back,” Manczko said of the wildcat and why he thought the Cougars were having success against the Barrington defense.

“(Manczko) did a good job out there leading his team,” Murdock said.  “He’s a great player.” 

It was Manczko’s 45 yard touchdown pass to senior running back Cordell Smith after numerous runs from the wildcat formation that gave the Cougars a 28-20 lead with just over seven minutes left in the game.  Smith was Manczko’s favorite receiver and led the game with 121 receiving yards on 4 receptions.

“We knew this was a playoff game,” Manczko said of his team that was searching for a playoff berth with the win.  “We left it all on the field and put everything into this.”

But Barrington (5-2, 2-1), who had an answer all night in this back-and-forth conference grudge match, would strike back quickly with a five play, 40 yard drive capped by senior Chase Murdock’s 1 yard touchdown run that left the Broncos trailing 28-26.

“It took our whole team to bring (Murdock) down,” said Manczko, who also played on the defensive side of the ball. 

Murdock would end the game rushing for a season high in both touchdowns (4 scores- 50 yard, 8 yard, 1 yard, 1 yard) and yards rushing (309 yards).

“Murdock was playing like a man tonight,” Barrington’s head coach Joe Sanchez said. 

“The offensive line did another great job,” said Murdock who has been raising the eyebrows of some division one coaches including Northern Illinois University, Iowa, Wyoming and Wisconsin.  Perhaps a reunion next year with senior lineman Dan Voltz (committed to Wisconsin) is possible?

“(Full back) Daniel Davidson did an awesome job clearing out (the backfield) and also the (offensive line) guys up front did great,” Murdock went on to say of the offensive unit that didn’t allow a single negative play from scrimmage.  “This doesn’t happen without them.”   

Murdock’s effort tonight had him blow past the thousand yard rushing mark for the third straight season and his 1266 yards this season is a new career high, and there are still two games left.

After the Broncos offense was unable to convert the 2-point try when trailing 28-26, their defense forced a quick three-and-out on the Cougar’s next offensive series that helped take the momentum back. 

“Chase knows we are in crunch time and need him on both sides of the ball; and he did a fantastic job,” Sanchez said of Murdock’s play as linebacker.

“We all huddled up and said, ‘This is it right here,’” Murdock said of the defensive effort that forced the Cougars to punt.  Conant only had 65 yards of offensive production during the fourth quarter, with most of those yards coming on one play.  “We wanted to try and get that playoff spot locked up and it was a great effort by our defense that helped.”

The Broncos became playoff eligible with a nine play game winning drive that focused heavily on Murdock, which helped setup the play action pass.  On third down Bennett connected with fellow senior Dylan Zyzda for a 36 yard play that moved the Broncos into field goal range and would give Kubiuk a chance at redemption.  Bennett would end the game 7 of 16 for 68 yards and an interception.

“We had belief in (Kubiuk)” Sanchez said.  “It was a big kick and that’s what we want from him.”

“But overall it was a great team win,” Sanchez went on to say.  “We had a lot of people stepping up tonight.”

Barrington hopes for their official playoff spot with their next game.  The Broncos will be hosting Fremd next Friday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. 

Not only is it senior night for Barrington, and their last regular season home game but a great chance to donate to the Bronco’s Care-Coat and Toy Drive.  Please help the freshman football team make Barrington’s Giving Day a great success by donating a new or used coat and/or toy to someone less fortunate.  Donations will be accepted at the entrance to Barrington’s Community Stadium.