Ask any coach: It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish.
That’s how the slow turtle beat the fleet-footed hare. And that’s how host Lawrence Central defeated upset-minded North Central, 34-31, in a Metropolitan Interscholastic high school football game.
After watching five of his last
six passes fall well short of connecting to his receivers, Lawrence Central
quarterback Tyler Redfern had exactly one minute left to finish the game strong
and guide his team to a victory.
Redfern did just that. After North Central quarterback Michael Loggan scored on a 1-yard run, putting the Panthers ahead 34-27 with 1:06 left, Lawrence Central began to put the finishing touches on the victory. The Bears returned the kickoff to the Panthers’ 44-yard line. Redfern misfired on his first pass before he began to connect to wide receiver Kenny Jones. Then he connected with Jones for 16 yards down the right sideline, putting the ball at the 28. A pass interference call moved the ball to the 14—setting up the game-winner.
With 38.2 seconds left, Redfern, who had missed several throws into the end zone in the third quarter, finally connected with Jones in the back of the end zone. The throw was perfect and Jones did a great job of getting his feet inbounds for the touchdown. The extra point was good, giving Lawrence Central a 34-31 lead.
Redfern finished the game 11-of-23 passing for 126 yards. Jones and Will King caught four passes each for LC. Juanyel Holmes added two catches for 85 yards.
However, North Central has also been told about finishing strong, and showed their resiliency by overcoming a 27-10 third-quarter lead. The Panthers had one last chance with 30.8 second left buried at their own 19-yard line. Loggan, who helped them come back, was unable to do it again. After he threw two incomplete passes, he was facing a third-down-and 10. He raced out of the pocket trying to make a play, but was hit and fumbled the ball away to LC to end the game.
Loggan finished the game 16-of-34 passing for 168 yards. Teammate Demond Roberson had 13 carries for 96 yards for North Central, including TD runs of 35 and 5 yards. Milton McClain added 14 carries for 66 yards. McClain had an 8-yard TD run.
Redfern did just that. After North Central quarterback Michael Loggan scored on a 1-yard run, putting the Panthers ahead 34-27 with 1:06 left, Lawrence Central began to put the finishing touches on the victory. The Bears returned the kickoff to the Panthers’ 44-yard line. Redfern misfired on his first pass before he began to connect to wide receiver Kenny Jones. Then he connected with Jones for 16 yards down the right sideline, putting the ball at the 28. A pass interference call moved the ball to the 14—setting up the game-winner.
With 38.2 seconds left, Redfern, who had missed several throws into the end zone in the third quarter, finally connected with Jones in the back of the end zone. The throw was perfect and Jones did a great job of getting his feet inbounds for the touchdown. The extra point was good, giving Lawrence Central a 34-31 lead.
Redfern finished the game 11-of-23 passing for 126 yards. Jones and Will King caught four passes each for LC. Juanyel Holmes added two catches for 85 yards.
However, North Central has also been told about finishing strong, and showed their resiliency by overcoming a 27-10 third-quarter lead. The Panthers had one last chance with 30.8 second left buried at their own 19-yard line. Loggan, who helped them come back, was unable to do it again. After he threw two incomplete passes, he was facing a third-down-and 10. He raced out of the pocket trying to make a play, but was hit and fumbled the ball away to LC to end the game.
Loggan finished the game 16-of-34 passing for 168 yards. Teammate Demond Roberson had 13 carries for 96 yards for North Central, including TD runs of 35 and 5 yards. Milton McClain added 14 carries for 66 yards. McClain had an 8-yard TD run.
