Well worth the wait for St. Charles East
After waiting an extra day for the game to be played, it only seemed fitting that the 2009 version of the "Cross-town Classic" would extend beyond regulation.
Quarterback Nolan Possley's extra-effort, 1-yard touchdown plunge on 4th-and-goal and Dan Keller's extra-point kick in the second overtime proved pivotal during St. Charles East's 14-13 victory over St. Charles North (6-3, 4-3) Saturday afternoon at Norris Stadium.
The North Stars, who went on defense first in the second overtime, scored a touchdown of their own when Jake Bergren connected with Josh Mikes on 3rd-and-goal from the Saints' 7-yard line.
After a brief sideline discussion, St. Charles North elected to try and send the game into a third overtime but Alex Pohl's PAT kick sailed just wide of the right upright, kicking off a celebration of sorts for the Saints.
Not only did they knock off St. Charles North for the fifth time in as many years (St. Charles East won twice in 2005) but the Saints (7-2, 7-0) also captured their first outright Upstate Eight Conference championship since 1998.
"This is the best feeling I've had in a while," said Possley, who was harassed throughout the day by the North Stars' defense before his go-ahead TD run. "We've been listening to the coaches since day one in June about winning the conference championship.
"Obviously, this is the biggest game of the year for us. They (North Stars) put up a heck of a fight but this is how we've always wanted it - to get a win like this."
The North Stars had a chance to take the lead during the first overtime but Cory Harmon misfired on a 24-yard field goal try. St. Charles East also squandered its opportunity in the first OT, as Keller's 35-yard field goal attempt fell short.
After a 6-yard, third-down gain by Zach Zajicek (17 carries, 64 yards) moved the ball inside the 1 during the second OT session, Saints coach Mike Fields was left with a decision - to go for the field goal or the touchdown.
"It wasn't even a doubt," said Fields. "Nolan (Possley) was screaming, 'wedge, wedge, wedge,' and I was going to give my senior that opportunity. And it was his second effort that really got him in there.
"That play really exemplifies our whole season - just don't quit. These kids are going to remember that for the rest of their lives."
St. Charles North grabbed a 7-0 halftime lead on Jake Bergren's 49-yard TD pass to Jeff Stolzenburg midway through the second quarter.
But momentum began to shift during St. Charles North's opening possession of the second half, which ended with a fumbled pitch that was recovered by Saints defensive lineman Jonathan Voytilla.
"That first series in the second half was just absolutely horrible," said North Stars coach Mark Gould. "We had two penalties, a fumble - we just went backward and it changed the momentum."
The Saints made them pay for their mistake moments later when Zajicek scored from a yard out and Keller's PAT kick tied the game at 7-7. Possley's 23-yard completion to Tyler Nutting on 3rd-and-14 helped keep the drive alive.
St. Charles North committed 3 second-half turnovers (recovered 5 other fumbles) and also had Jordan Huxtable's 23-yard touchdown run called back because of a penalty.
"We had some missed opportunities," admitted Gould. "I thought our defense played a great game so it's really tough for them to have to lose it this way."
"We said at halftime that we needed to get some turnovers," said Saints defensive back Bryce Barry. "We knew we could cause some fumbles if we kept getting after them."
It was anything but a normal week for the Saints, who weren't allowed to conduct formal practices Wednesday and Thursday due to the school's closing (972 student illnesses reported Tuesday).
"It definitely was a different feeling playing on Saturday afternoon," said Possley. "We came together as a team this week. We said, 'just because we didn't have school doesn't mean that we can't put in the work ourselves.'
"We worked out as a team and tried to run normal practices (without coaches) because we wanted to keep doing what we've been doing."
Winning makes everyone feel better.
"With all the tradition this school has had and now to be a part of that tradition, it feels great," said Barry. "But this is just Step 1. We've still got a bunch more steps to go in the playoffs."