Pilgrims need O.T. to secure victory
By Matthew Neal - Argus Observer
Sunday, October 14, 2007 2:10 AM PDT
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| New Plymouth’s Jaime Garcia plows into Marsing’s Chaz Covey during Friday night’s overtime win. The Pilgrims won 21-15. |
New Plymouth - Homecoming victories always seem sweet, even more so when they come down to the last taut moment.
Under the lights on Friday, New Plymouth brawled and clawed against Marsing in a game that was to be decided in overtime. The Pilgrims made their stand on the 10 yard line during a sudden death situation that, ultimately, gave them life.
With eight seconds left in the fourth quarter and Marsing threatening on the 4-yard line, the Pilgrims stopped the Huskies’ advance and forced them to gamble on a possible game-winning field goal.
The score, tied at 15, remained, as Marsing’s kick flew wide right. The clock ran down to zero and the game went into overtime.
From the 9-yard line, New Plymouth’s Jaimie Brown ran the ball out left and into the end zone to break the tie, bringing the score to 21-15, yet the Pilgrims’ extra point attempt failed, leaving Marsing with a wide-open shot at a victory.
Marsing lined up on the 10 yard line. Marsing running back Mike Moore ran for a small gain. Again, Marsing made a dash for the end zone but hit a wall at the five yard line.
On the next play, Marsing quarterback Tyson Heller was pressured and tried to hand off the ball but the Pilgrims stopped the play, pushing Marsing back to the 11 yard line.
On fourth down Heller took the snap, Receiver Kalob Meyers ran into the deep right corner of the end zone and Heller passed the ball.
Meyers jumped for the ball but the pass was out of reach and incomplete. The Pilgrims took the game, 21-15.
The first half of the game saw both teams playing strong defense: little ground was made by either side, except for New Plymouth’s Jaimie Brown, whose touchdown with six seconds left in the second quarter got things rolling.
After the half, Brown scored another for the Pilgrims and Casey Pfeifer gave them an extra two points with a successful point after attempt.
The game really started to heat up in the fourth, with Marsing powering back into the game with a Sean Finley touchdown and a faked extra point attempt, of which they capitalized on with a run into the end zone for two, bringing the score to 15-8.
Heller connected with Nielsen for another Marsing score and the extra point was good, tying the game.
Marsing kicked off and after a troubled possession by the Pilgrims, Marsing regained the ball and made a courageous drive down the field to the 4-yard line, back to where the story began, back to the fated missed field goal that sent the game into overtime.
Offensively, both teams put up the same yardage.
Marsing’s Ethan Sauer had 21 rushes for 123 yards, while New Plymouth’s Casey Pfeifer went 14 for 46 yards. Husky quarterback Heller went 7-17 for 64 yards.
Pilgrim quarterback Easton Foust threw 7-29 and gained 140 yards.
“It was a great day for a win. We needed a win and they went out and won and I am very proud of them. New Plymouth Coach Josh White said.
The Pilgrims had 12 penalties totaling 90 yards whereas the Huskies only had five for a loss of 45 yards.
“If we win Melba next week,” White said, “We will be in third place and I think we have a good chance at a play-in game.”
New Plymouth will host Melba in a must win game, and regular season finale. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Alma wrote on Aug 28, 2009 8:22 PM:
Im so very proud of you, you did AMAZING!! Yet still very young and have years to improve, which seems scary. I know grandpa was cheering for you, chanting #1, #1... Keep up the great work kido. "