The game was over, but nobody remembered to tell the Longhorn players or Coaches. Plano West broke the cardinal rule in sports that clearly states that when you have the Champ on the ropes you MUST knock him out, or risk the consequences.
Down 21-0 at the half and 28-0 two minutes into the 3rd quarter, Cedar Hill climbed off the mat and scored 35 unanswered points to take the lead, only to see Plano West score a TD to knot the score with 1:13 left in the game. CH got the ball back, and while trying to move into field goal range for a potential game winner by kicker Eduardo Camara, Sophomore QB Driphus Jackson threw an interception that was returned to the CH 17 yard line with 56 seconds left in regulation. PW ran two running plays, and with six seconds showing on the clock attempted a 27 yard field goal for the win. The kick was wide left and the stage was set for three overtimes of heart-stopping football.
Down by a touchdown in the second overtime, the Longhorns faced a an almost sure game and season ending 4th and 29 from the PW 44 yard line. Driphus Jackson rolled to his left, avoided what looked to be a certain game finishing sack, and lofted a pass toward Senior WR Laquan Harper near the end zone. Harper, who was well covered by a Wolves cornerback, made a sensational leaping catch at the 2 yard line and lunged in for the touchdown. Camara's PAT tied the score, leaving the next bit of heroics to the 'Horn's defense.
In the third overtime the CH defense, which had been under attack all night, turned in the stop of the night. On a fourth and 12 from the CH 27, PW Head Coach Mike Hughes eschewed a go ahead 44 yard field goal attempt, only to see Senior QB Travis Wilson be dropped for a 12 yard loss by DE Tyler Washington. The stop gave the ball to the 'Horns with a chance to win the game. From the 25 of PW the 'Horns, behind the stellar running of Ben Malena and Brandon Davis, moved down to the five yard line. On second and goal the 'Horn's averted disaster by recovering a Malena fumble at the 6 yard line. Coach Joey McGuire wasted no time thereafter, hustling the sure footed Camara on for a 23 yard field goal that set off a celebration reminiscent of the '06 State Championship victory. The win advances CH to play the winner of this Saturday's SL Carroll - Colleyville Heritage game ( Come on back to CHfootball.net and Tradition Sports for all of the pre-game information leading up to next weekend's second round game, as the 'Horns continue on their quest for a second state title in three years!
A day after beating Southlake Carroll and no update to the website!!?!?!?! C'mon!!!
Posted by: Chris | November 23, 2008 at 11:05 AM