HILLSBORO — Hillsboro-Central Valley head coach Joe Johnson has preached all season that “big players make big plays."

H-CV entered the fourth quarter of its North Dakota Class A first-round game against Thompson trailing 8-6.

On a sunny, nearly spring-like Saturday afternoon at the Hillsboro Event Center, the senior-laden Burros desperately needed those big players to step up.

“Gut check is something that we've talked about a lot,” Johnson said. “In those moments that we need to make a play, who's going to step up and make a play? We're led by 10 seniors, and having that kind of maturity and leadership on the team makes a huge difference, especially in those moments that are big.”

Senior running back Sawyer Owens obliged.

Facing second-and-4 at his own 37-yard line, Owens tore throug

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