Cooper Zimmer runs for 48 yards in the photo above taken at the Park City game last Friday. Zimmer ran for a total of 240 yards and had an interception in the 27-22 Hawk loss before leaving the game with concussion-like symptoms.
Jaxon Bilbrey and Kail Irish make a tackle against Park City.
The line crew and crowd.
Paysen Kuhbacher makes a nice back shoulder catch against Park City, last week.
The Hawk football team suffered a tough loss last Friday evening as they fell to the Park City Panthers in a close game at home in Broadus. Not only was the loss of the game important for the Hawks, a head injury suffered by Hawk Quarterback Cooper Zimmer in the 4th quarter sent hearts racing as Zimmer was brought off the sidelines on a backboard, having collapsed after leaving the field. Zimmer was transported out by ambulance, casting a somber mood onto the crowd as the ambulance slowly circled the track before leaving out the gate at the southwest end of the field.
The injury to Zimmer was a stark reminder to those on the Park City sideline, as just last season a sophomore wide receiver and linebacker on the Park City team, Jed Hoffmann, passed away days after collapsing on the field during a practice.
Zimmer was eventually transported to Denver with a brain bleed. As of Monday, news of Zimmer was promising. He returned home over the weekend, and Broadus Coach Wyatt Williams told us that he spoke with Cooper, and the young QB was on the mend. "Cooper is tougher than nails. He's likely out for the season but what matters is his health."
Recapping the game, Park City struck first with a quick score in the first quarter, but Broadus came back quickly to go up 8-7, completing a two point conversion to overcome the Panthers' extra point kick.
Later in the quarter, Broadus tried to convert on a 4th and long and they were unsuccessful. Park City then drove the ball down to inside the 10 yard line in the early 2nd quarter but were unable to score.
Broadus and Park City both scored again, and Park City's Stockton Zimdars ran a fumble back for a touchdown to put the Panthers up at the half. As time expired in the first half Broadus nearly ran back an interception from the goal line, gaining at least 40 yards before the last player with a chance for Park City made a tackle.
In the third quarter, Landen Capp ran the ball in for a TD after a long 48 yard Cooper Zimmer run set up the play, and Broadus was within 5 of Park City.
At the end of the 3rd quarter as the Hawks were driving down the field Zimmer went out of the game with his injury.
"Cooper's injury rattled all of us, kids and coaching staff alike," Williams commented. "I'm proud of how our defense handled the situation, as they worked through that stress and held Park City from scoring on two drives. They didn't give up."
With Zimmer out, and backup QB Matt Hansen not playing due to an arm injury, Eli Heacock took snaps as QB. While the Hawks pushed for more offense, Zimmer's 240 yards of rushing offense from earlier in the game was hard to duplicate, and the offense stalled.
Broadus was not able to capitalize for the remainder of the game, falling 22-27.
"We were never out of the game, and the team gave it their all. I'm proud of how they handled the situation," Williams said.
Landen Capp had a nice day of rushing for the Hawks, averaging nine yards a carry on six rushes with one for 36 yards, and running in one touchdown.
Zimmer ran for 240 yards on 30 rushes, averaging 8 yards per carry, and running in one touchdown.
The Hawk defense blocked an extra point kick, and Jaxon Bilbrey had 19 total tackles to lead the team.
With the loss the Hawks fall to fourth in the conference with a 1-2 record. Joliet lost to Belt 28-8 over the weekend but remain at the top of the conference with a 4-1 overall and 4-1 conference record. Forsyth beat Lodge Grass 76-0 to come in second in the conference at 3-1. Park City is now third in the conference at 2-1.
Two teams from the conference will advance to the playoffs, and Broadus has two conference games remaining, against St. Labre this Saturday at home, and at Forsyth on the 14th. Broadus will need to win both by a substantial margin to have a chance at playoffs.
Matt Hansen is expected to make the start as Quarterback for the Hawks this weekend.
"Matt knows the playbook, and though he hasn't had as many reps as Cooper this season, he's a smart athletic kid and I have confidence in him," Williams commented on the team's QB.
Besides Zimmer's concussion, other Hawks currently sidelined by injury include Riggin Schaffer, who is out with a hyperextended knee, Kolton Williams, out with a sprained ankle, and Duke Blankenship, out with a concussion.
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