A big play on offense and stifling defense leads Homestead past Dillard in regional semi

Joshua Townsend dropped a 72-yard pass over Dillard’s secondary and hit Isaac Brown over the shoulder for a go-ahead score, sparking Homestead’s 28-14 victory in a Region 4-7A semifinal Friday at Harris Field.

“We were waiting to throw that,” Townsend said. “They were biting down on the run all night.”

The beautiful play was an anomaly in an otherwise physical game. Dillard and Homestead delivered punishing runs on offense all night, but Homestead’s pass rush dominated the game from start to finish.

“The challenge to my team all week was: our D-line is better than their D-line,” Homestead coach Philip Simpson said. “It’s that simple. That was the game plan.”

The win sends the Broncos (10-1) to a Region 4-7A final matchup against St. Thomas Aquinas (11-1).

“We ready,” said Townsend, who threw for 149 yards and ran for 81 yards and a score.

Neither team found offensive rhythm in the first quarter Friday, as rain resulted in a soaked field and slick ball.

Senior running back Tyrone Maxwell put the Broncos in front with a 6-yard run at the start of the second quarter. Townsend ran for a 12-yard score about five minutes later for a 14-0 edge.

Jaferris Finley cut into the Homestead lead with a 7-yard touchdown run with 1:18 left in the second quarter. The Broncos led 14-6 at halftime.

The Panthers (10-2) continued to hand the ball to Finley in the second half. He ran over Broncos defenders for a 1-yard score midway through the third quarter and tied the score with a two-point conversion.

But Townsend delivered the decisive blow to the Panthers with his long touchdown toss to Brown less than two minutes later. The Broncos never trailed again.

Maxwell added insurance with an 8-yard touchdown run with 1:21 remaining. The Broncos defense held the Panthers out of the end zone on the final drive of the night.

Brown totaled 129 yards and a score on three catches.

Broncos defensive linemen Amen Mackey and Markwon strong each logged two sacks. Dante Anderson also had a sack in the victory. Broncos defensive lineman Daniel Lyons also caused constant pressure on the Panthers.

Homestead faces St. Thomas Aquinas at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 26. The winner advances to the state semifinals.

This story was originally published November 19, 2021 at 11:51 PM.