In a game where Homestead and Northrop threw offensive haymakers throughout the second half, it was a pair of defensive stands that stood out in the host Spartans’ 43-36 overtime win Friday.

After failing to score from the goal line at the end of regulation, Homestead running back Shane Bardwell scored a 10-yard touchdown on the first play of overtime. On the Bruins’ last-ditch effort to tie, Spartans junior defensive back Caleb Hollingsworth deflected a pass to secure the victory.

The Spartans (3-1, 1-0 SAC) took control at the Northrop 20-yard line with two minutes remaining after a botched snap on a punt. They were stuffed at the goal line on back-to-back plays late, then had an 18-yard field goal attempt blocked by the Bruins to force overtime.

“(We had to) stay unphased,” Bardwell

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