2002 In Review

Week 9

45 Seconds, 65 Yards, 0 Timeouts,

1 Right Foot

Northern Beats Rival East Penn on a 32 Yard Field Goal

By Matt Sheibley with 4 Seconds on the Clock

October 29, 2007

Northern 32 – East Penn 30

18 points scored in the last 3 minutes of the game doesn’t even begin to describe what happened at Bostic Stadium on a rare Monday Night High School football game. But it does describe the last three minutes. Coach Mauck had to make a decision. It was 4^th and 1 from 1 yard line. Northern was down by 2. Though nothing is ever certain, the odds of Place Kicker, Matt Sheibley, one of the best in the business, hitting what would amount to an extra point were pretty good. A made field goal would give the Polar Bears a one point lead with three minutes to go. The decision had already been made. He would put the outcome of the game in his big running back’s hands. #44 Michael Davies took the ball from QB Jordan Rutherford and crashed into the right side of the line. He muscled and stretched over the pile until the referee signaled touchdown. Not missing a beat, Coach Mauck went for two hoping to give the bears a 6 point lead. On the snap, Jordan Rutherford hit Donnie Bell with a bullet over the middle. The conversion was good and the Bears led by six 29-23 with just over 3 minutes left.

Sheibley kicked off deep but East Penn was not done. They set up a wall and returned the ball up the visitors’ sidelines to near midfield. Northern’s D would hold and fall back, hold and fall back chewing up clock until with 45 seconds left, Panther QB Ben Reynolds hit WR Stephen Carter on a 10 yard slant to tie the game. East Penn kicked the extra point to take a one point lead and as East Penn players and fans erupted, the Northern side of the field was devastated.

East Penn kicked deep into the endzone for a touchback which took no time off the clock and with 45 seconds to go and no time-outs, Quarterback Jordan Rutherford took control of the game. With a calm and precise hand, Jordan began the drive. Out of the shotgun he directed traffic. He found Robbie Bleiler three times on the drive. Robbie made one-handed circus catches moving the chains and stopping the clock. Jordan never panicked. He didn’t spike the ball. He took perfect snaps from Kelton Mehls, found his target, and drove the field. With 4 seconds left, Jordan threw down the away sidelines where Donnie Bell was hit by a Panther defender well in advance of the ball. It was an easy penalty to call and after the spot at the 15 yard line, Coach Mauck sent in Matt Sheibley to attempt a 32 yard field goal. The players held hands and knelt on the sidelines and the crowd went silent. Sheibs patted holder Hank Sanders on the helmet, took his steps back, and waited for the ball. Snap – Hold – Kick……………..

It’s Good!!!!!

There was no time left on the clock and the student section and players rushed onto the field. They pick up the kicker and carried him across the 30 yard line. East Penn players lay motionless, unbelieving of what had just happened. The kick was good and Northern extended its regular season winning streak to 27 games. With the win, Northern is guaranteed a share of the Colonial Division Championship for the 4^th straight year. The Bears have already qualified in the District 3 playoff tournament and should host at least one home playoff game at this point.

It was an incredible night at Bostic; a pure team effort. Mokes added 4 more touchdowns to his senior resume and both lines pounded the other side. The game had a playoff atmosphere and the victory was just what the doctor ordered for a Northern football team that had not been tested in over a month. This week’s game against Shippensburg will be just as electric as the Bears will face a Greyhound team that has also qualified for the playoffs and wants a share of Northern’s Championship. Led by 4-year Varsity QB Craig Van Scyoc, Ship will be ready.

Will you?

Next Week

At Shippensburg

The Outright Mid-Penn Colonial Championship

Friday 11/2/07 - 7:30 p.m.