When I first entered Harding Stadium on November 4, 2011, I could feel the electricity in the air. Friday Night Lights in the state of Ohio, one of the biggest high school football states in the country. Round 1 of the OHSAA Division III playoffs. Two crosstown rivals playing in one of the most anticipated games in recent memory. The 8-2 Indian Creek Redskins, the school I had gone to my entire life, taking on the Steubenville Big Red, the 10-0, #1 ranked team in the state. “Death Valley” typically seats 10,000, but there was no way the crowd was under 12,000. This was going to be a game to remember.
Before I share the details of the game, you need to know some background information. I grew up in the Ohio Valley, a region that had been …show more content…
Right from the start it was our strength against their strength, our offense versus their defense. We started out strong, moving the ball on one of the best defenses in Ohio. Once we got into the redzone, we wasted no time. David Kemp threw a fade right into the hands of Michael Furda for a touchdown, with the defense all over him. On one side, the loudest roar I had ever heard. On the other side, silence. We had stunned everyone and gone 76 yards downfield on the opening drive to take a 7-0 lead, which many thought was impossible. Then we held them to a three and out on their opening drive. It was actually happening. We were out-playing the mighty Big Red. However, it came with a price. Furda had suffered a torn ACL on third down, finishing his season way too early. It only went downhill from there.
It was well-documented what took place in the next three minutes. After our offense stalled and went three and out, Big Red proceeded to score a touchdown on a 97-yard drive (courtesy of a fake punt), score another touchdown following an onside to make it 14-7, and finally take a 14-point lead after they scored once again following a Creek turnover. Just like that, a 21-point swing knocked all the wind out of our sails. We responded with a two-yard score to make it 21-13, but it was all Big Red from there. The fire-breathing horse, which erupts after every Steubenville score, would get a lot more
Before I share the details of the game, you need to know some background information. I grew up in the Ohio Valley, a region that had been …show more content…
Right from the start it was our strength against their strength, our offense versus their defense. We started out strong, moving the ball on one of the best defenses in Ohio. Once we got into the redzone, we wasted no time. David Kemp threw a fade right into the hands of Michael Furda for a touchdown, with the defense all over him. On one side, the loudest roar I had ever heard. On the other side, silence. We had stunned everyone and gone 76 yards downfield on the opening drive to take a 7-0 lead, which many thought was impossible. Then we held them to a three and out on their opening drive. It was actually happening. We were out-playing the mighty Big Red. However, it came with a price. Furda had suffered a torn ACL on third down, finishing his season way too early. It only went downhill from there.
It was well-documented what took place in the next three minutes. After our offense stalled and went three and out, Big Red proceeded to score a touchdown on a 97-yard drive (courtesy of a fake punt), score another touchdown following an onside to make it 14-7, and finally take a 14-point lead after they scored once again following a Creek turnover. Just like that, a 21-point swing knocked all the wind out of our sails. We responded with a two-yard score to make it 21-13, but it was all Big Red from there. The fire-breathing horse, which erupts after every Steubenville score, would get a lot more