Knights Fight To A Bitter End
Published 4:30 pm Tuesday, November 30, 2010
GRETNA – It was almost a carbon copy of last year's result, only with a little more drama and, for the Buckingham County High School football team, a lot more pain.
The Knights, who saw their 2009 season come to an end to Gretna in overtime, suffered the same result on Friday night to the Hawks – only this time, the Knights' 42-41 defeat came on fourth-and-goal from the four-yard line, and after a furious comeback to force the extra period.
“We worked all year to get back here,” said BCHS senior tailback Maurice Taylor. “Even when we were down 20 points, we never lost doubt. We never gave up, but we just couldn't get it done.”
Taylor's five-yard run on the first play of overtime, following an offsides call on Gretna, put Buckingham up 41-35. Gretna took all four downs, before GHS quarterback Nick Miller sprinted around the end and turned it up from four yards out on fourth-and-goal from the four yard line. A second effort against three Buckingham defenders was enough to tie the game, by mere inches. The PAT conversion sent the Hawks into the Group A, Division 2 State Semifinals.
“We got the stop, but couldn't finish it off,” said BCHS head coach Craig Gill. “That No. 10 [Miller]. You just can't tackle him. The way he works and breaks tackles. Gretna's a good team. I don't care how many 'A's” you're talking about. They can play with about anyone in the state.”
The overtime period was forced because of an almost impossible comeback by Buckingham. The Knights (10-2), who trailed 29-15 at the half, gave up a long touchdown drive with 35 seconds left in the third quarter, but Buckingham reached back and somehow found a way to turn the momentum.
A long kickoff return set up a 40-yard touchdown pass from Tarian Ayers to Taylor on the final play of the third quarter to pull BCHS to within two scores at 35-22.
“We didn't get down,” said Ayers. “We knew that we had to keep our heads up. We had put too much into the season to give up.”
Momentum clearly shifted after Buckingham forced Gretna to turn the ball over on downs on its ensuing drive, giving the Knights possession on Gretna's 43-yard line.
A combination of Ayers passes and an awakening of Taylor on the ground, quickly moved BCHS into scoring position. Ayers scored on a seven-yard keeper with 8:34 remaining to pull the Knights to within a score at 35-28.
The Knights then dialed up the pressure on defense and forced Gretna (11-1) to punt.
“We forced them to punt twice,” said Gill. “We had a lot of tape on them, but they're so good on offense we never saw them punt. We had no idea what punt formation they ran.”
Buckingham quickly moved the ball down the field, but threw an interception on fourth-and-goal on the six yard line, seemingly giving the game to Gretna. However, after a long interception return to the BC 40-yard line, Miller fumbled on Gretna's first play from scrimmage, giving the Knights another chance.
They made the most of it. Ayers scored on a ten-yard run with 1:26 remaining, tying the game at 35-apiece after the PAT kick, setting up the overtime ending.
“I'm so proud of our guys,” said Gill. “We asked them to play hard and leave it all on the field, and that's what they did. They haven't had a close game all year. For us to come in here and nearly pull it off is a tribute to our young men and our coaches.
“We dress only 27 boys, but every last one of them are winners, and they certainly showed what they were made of tonight.”
Taylor led the Knights on the ground with 17 rushes for 124 yards, while Ayers had five rushes for 26 yards and three touchdowns, but ended up with -19 yards counting for sack yardage. Through the air, Ayers was 17-38 for 226 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
Caleb White had five catches for 65 yards, while LA Briley had four grabs for 48 yards and a 21-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the game. Taylor had two catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, while Landon Allen had three catches for 33 yards.
Taylor led the Knights defensively with 12 tackles (on for a loss). Tariq Bartee had eight tackles (two for a loss) and an interception, while Laysean Hearns had seven tackles (three for a loss). Defensive end Jackson Bryant had five-and-a-half tackles, (two for a loss), a sack and three forced fumbles, and senior linebacker Michael Layman had five tackles, despite having to sit out the second half with an injury.
“We're disappointed,” said Ayers, who is a junior. “We proved a lot to ourselves and others by the way we battled back, and I think we earned some respect from Gretna.
“We lose five players for next year, and I'm going to miss having Maurice back there with me, but we'll have a lot of our starters returning. We know what it takes to remain at this level. We waited a year to get back here, and we want to do it again. Three-hundred-and-sixty-five days marks, now.”