Wildcats Fall in Overtime, 41-34
Tied, But Denied
Published November 4 2006
The Wildcat Varsity squad traveled to Herndon for their last, regular season 'away game' of 2006. The game was a rollercoaster of action and emotion, as the score was tied repeatedly through regulation time, and into overtime. When the dust settled on T.L. Griffitts Stadium Wildcats came up short with a final score of 41 to 34.
Game Stats!
Click here to see game stats! We have published 'year to date' stats - click this to see those.
The evening was cold. Really cold. Temperatures dipped into the 40's long before game time and hovered in the 30's before overtime was complete. That wasn't enough to force Wildcat fans to scatter, as the visitor bleachers were packed full. Observers might even venture an estimate that makes attendance on the home side as robust as the visitor side.
Wildcats found success in recent years against the squad of Hornets. The 2006 match up would have a different outcome. Twice Centreville pushed ahead by two touchdowns, and twice Herndon would tie the score.
Following Your Lead
Scoring in the first quarter began with Brandon Williams grabbing a Van Chew pass and hoofing it into the end zone. Patrick Rosas split the uprights for a successful extra point and the point tally began with Centreville 7, Herndon 0. Just a bit later Nick Basalyga stepped into the end zone and put a tight grip on another Chew pass for the second touchdown of the first quarter. Rosas extra point was good pushing the point total to 14 over Herndon's zero. With just 24-seconds remaining in the first quarter, Herndon takes possession of the ball, attempts a pass that is fumbled into Wildcat hands. Time runs out in the first quarter with Centreville owning possession and the lead, 14 to zero.
Tied Up
Wildcats begin the second quarter with a short drive and field goal attempt that fell short. Herndon takes the ball for a fruitless drive, followed by another Centreville attempt with no result. Herndon finds their way into the end zone, with a successful extra point, and the score is now Centreville 14, Herndon 7. Wildcats are practicing the quarterback shuffle as the position is shared by Chew, P.J. Dunegan, and even Brandon Davis. Centreville must hand possession back to the Hornets, who find a way to a long run and into the end zone. The extra point is on-target the score is tied at 14 with 4:31 still in the second quarter.
With 4:31 on the clock Wildcats take possession and begin a long, clock-consuming drive down the field. After three first-downs and the consumption of lots of yards and clock, Centreville is in scoring position. A flag interrupts the opportunity with a penalty against the Wildcats for delay of game. This pushed the ball back to field goal distance, but the Centreville squad can't score as the kick dips wide of the left upright. Herndon finished the half with a few plays and the score remains tied 14 to 14.
The second half of the game begins with Herndon taking possession of the kick. They make a bit of progress but finally punt to Centreville. With 8:27 still to play in the third quarter, Wildcats begin a carefully articulated drive down the field, and deep into the third quarter. After five first-downs and almost 8 full minutes of game time, Van Chew scores another touchdown for the Centreville squad. Rosas extra point is pretty and the score is now Centreville 21, Herndon 14. Hornets take the ball, but their effort is interrupted as the third quarter ends with a massive sack by Brady Gleason and Andrew Morgan. As the teams move to the opposite end of the field the score is 21 to 14 in Centreville's favor.
Tied Up, The Sequel
Herndon must again punt to Centreville and the Wildcat offense muscles the ball down the field. With 9:42 still to play in the fourth quarter Nick Basalyga enters the end zone for a Wildcat touchdown, followed by Ryan Carlson's extra point. Centreville is again in the lead by two touchdowns with a score of 28 to 14. The Hornets answer with a touchdown of their own and an extra point. The next Centreville drive is nothing like those prior, as the first play sees a pass intercepted by the Hornet defense. Great field position helps Herndon score their next touchdown and extra point to tie things up, again, with a score of 28. Wildcats try again, but end the drive with a punt. Herndon swings into action but fumbles into the powerful hands of Tommy Dorrzapf sending the Wildcat offense back onto the field. A few fruitless possessions later an the clock runs out of time with the score tied Centreville 28, Herndon 28. It's over time time!
Overtime!
In high school football overtime is decided by an exchange of possessions from the 10-yard line. A coin toss determines the first possession, after which each team gets a chance to score. Centreville wins the toss, and in the first play of overtime Van Chew suffers an injury. He walks himself off the field and play continues, ending with a pass from P.J. Dunegan to Steven Bisaga for a touchdown. The extra point misses and the score is now Centreville 34, herndon 28. Don't leave yet! Now Herndon has a turn from the 10-yard line. They eventually send a successful pass into the end zone, where it bounces off of one receiver and into the hands of another. The Wildcat defense is fired-up, as they block the extra point attempt. Guess what? the game is tied again—this time at 34.
We begin again. Herndon starts, this time, and pass the ball into a touchdown. Their extra is good and, for the first time of the evening, Herndon takes the lead with a score of 41 over Centreville's 34. Wildcats again aim from the 10-yard line, but their drive falls short. Wildcats are again denied a victory with a final score of Herndon 41, Centreville 34.
Coming Up...
We'll have statistics and photos posted mid-week (travel prevents more timely updates - sorry about that). Keep checking WildcatNation.org for updated game news and pics, along with some other neat features, too!
