Stapp's Walk Off Pick 6 Delivers Huntingdon Their First Win Of The 2025 Campaign

MONTGOMERY, Ala.- Tied at 46 with just 6 seconds left on the clock, overtime felt inevitable. Huntingdon and McMurry, both in search of their first win this season, lined up across the ball for one final play in regulation. The Warhawks aimed deep, and Kalen Stapp read it all the way, intercepting the pass at the 20-yard line, returning it all the way to the house as time expired to give the Hawks a 52-46 win in their final non-conference test of the season. 

How it happened

After 5 consecutive possessions without a score to start the game, Huntingdon drew blood first, as quarterback Knox Roberts rolled out to his right and found Sam Bloodworth from 7 yards out to give the Hawks a 7-0 lead entering the second quarter. The Warhawks responded quickly however, connecting on a 52-yard touchdown throw to put their first six on the board. It remained a 7-6 game however, as Joe Brunson blocked the PAT to keep Huntingdon in the lead. 

Capturing the momentum of Brunson's field goal block, the Hawks answered in a big way, as Roberts found Timothy McReynolds on a 10-yard curl, that soon turned into an 82-yard touchdown after making a man miss. With around 14 minutes remaining until halftime, the Hawks led the Warhawks 14-6. 

Not to be outdone, McMurry caught fire coming down the stretch of the opening half, scoring on their next two offensive possessions and a Huntingdon fumble following an onside kick to grab a 29-14 lead by the 9 minute mark in the second quarter. The Hawks kept pace though, as De'Roderick Hepburn broke through the middle on a 81-yard touchdown rush to cut the deficit to 29-20. Yet again however, McMurry had an answer, driving down the field and cashing in yet again on a touchdown pass to re-extend their lead to 16, 36-20. Collyer Alderman tapped in a 25-yard field goal to close the half with the Hawks trailing 36-23. 

Receiving the ball to start the second half, the Hawks embarked on a 5-play, 39 yard drive capped off by a 22 yard field goal from Alderman to draw within 10, 36-26, early in the third quarter. After trading punts on the next two possessions, the Hawks defense answered the challenge, as Gus Johnson blitzed off the edge and sacked the Warhawk quarterback, forcing a fumble and giving the offense the ball on the McMurry 26. It took the offense just one play to capitalize, as Roberts connected with Brody Covington for the 26-yard touchdown completion that brought the score to 36-33. The Wahawks continued to respond offensively as they did all afternoon, scoring with 4 minutes remaining in the quarter to take a 43-33 lead into the final period. 

As the fourth quarter got started, the Hawks continued to roll offensively, as freshman runningback found the endzone on a 33-yard rush to bring Huntingdon within three once again, 43-40. On the ensuing possession, the Hawks defense answered the call, forcing a three and out to put the offensive in a position to tie or take the lead, which they did, as Jake White placed a back-shoulder ball in the perfect spot for Timothy McReynolds to make an acrobatic, contested catch in the corner of the endzone, giving Huntingdon their first lead since the second quarter 46-43 with 6:43 to go. 

Huntingdon's defense continued to control the field, forcing the Warhawks to punt with 4:26 to go. In a position to put things a way, an untimely fumble allowed for McMurry to kick a field goal, evening the score at 46 with 1:47 to go. 

With the ball, two time outs, and 1:47 to go, Huntingdon's offense sputtered, punting the ball away with 23 seconds remaining as the overtime picture came into play. McMurry drilled an 18-yard strike over the middle on the first play of their offensive drive, stepping out of bounds with 7 seconds to go. Having the ball at the midfield line- the Warhawks opted for one final heave at the endzone. 

The throw was short, as freshman safety Kalen Stapp cut off the McMurry receiver at the 20-yard line. Shedding a tackle, Stapp only saw green grass ahead, and made the house call, bringing the interception back a full 80 yards as time expired, giving Huntingdon the 52-46 win. 

Hawk Top Performers

• #19 Kalen Stapp- 1 tackle, 2 interceptions, game-winning interception return for a touchdown
• #92 Rashad Walker- 3 tackles, 2.5 sacks
• #7 Robert Vickers- 6 tackles, 1.5 sacks
• #3 Knox Roberts- 10-16 passing for 202 yards and 3 touchdowns
• #5 De'Roderick Hepburn- 18 carries, 165 yards, 1 touchdown
• #1 Timothy McReynolds- 6 receptions, 172 yards, 2 touchdowns
• #12 Connor Cash- 5 receptions, 77 yards

Coming up on their bye week, the Hawks return to Samford Stadium on October 4th for homecoming against Methodist University. Gametime is set for 1:00 PM CT.