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November 3, 2007 - 3:59AM
Queen Creek survives Higley
By Cary L. Tyler, For the Tribune
Queen Creek’s Jensen Nevitt pulled down a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Richie Edwards with no time left Friday night to give the Bulldogs a stunning 30-28 home win over Gilbert Higley to capture the 4A East Sky Region title.
SLIDESHOW: View Friday Night High School Football slideshow
The Edwards-to-Nevitt combination capped a six-play, 40-second drive that seemed improbable after Higley had the ball with 1:10 remaining and leading 28-24.
However, the Bulldogs (6-4, 5-0) were able to get the ball back on their own 32, but with no timeouts remaining, Edwards had to throw quick shots to receivers near the sidelines before taking the final shot with six seconds remaining.
“(Edwards) just threw it up and I just jumped up and got it,” Nevitt said. “It was unbelievable.
“This is the stuff of dreams,” Nevitt said.
“Coach had us working on something like this all week, but to get the win this way. Oh, man. Now our next goal is a state championship.”
That Higley was in the lead was probably as stunning as Queen Creek’s last-second heroics.
The Knights (8-2, 4-1) had only 70 yards of total offense in the first half and only touched the ball three times in the third quarter.
However, the quick-strike Knights trailed only 14-0 at halftime and cut it in half in the first minute of the third quarter with an Alex Jentzen 58-yard touchdown run.
Jentzen then wiped out Queen Creek’s excitement over a James Carew 33-yard field goal by running 98 yards on the ensuing kickoff to narrow the lead to 17-14.
The rushing game for Queen Creek was key, as the Bulldogs went 278 yards on the ground behind Tod Workman’s 20 carries and 158 yards for one touchdown, and Jake Goddard’s nine carries for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Workman’s 21-yard scamper put Queen Creek up 24-14, but Higley quarterback Trey Gray once again stunned the Bulldogs with two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, one to Kyle Byrne and the other to David Davis to give the Knights the lead with 3:25 left in the game.
“We played physical, and we knew that would make the difference,” said Queen Creek coach Curt LeBlanc, turning to acknowledge his team.
“These kids played hard and they deserve this 'W.’ ”
Reader comments (5)
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Matt
I left to the parking lot thinking Higley had the win with the ball, about 110 left on the clock and the lead. What happen? How could they not keep the clock moving?: Suggest removal of this commentNovember 4, 2007
Higley player
we didnt show up in the first half and had a horrible game. we gave you the second TD with a bad pass by our qb. we are salivating at the chance to see you in the semi-finals. we won't make any mistakes the rest of this season. we got four games left to play, and we will play those four games. good luck against notre dame but you beter be ready to fight for a state spot the rest of the season. Suggest removal of this commentNovember 5, 2007
Concerned Parent
I will say that Queen Creek did play tuff, however too bad that High School doesn't offer instant replay because the receiver for QC dropped the ball which "won" the game with 4 seconds left. Two out of the three officials called the catch no good and then bolted off the field. Really sad. We should teach our kids to live by integrity. How about having officials that play fair and not calling horrible calls. But that's ok. The Knights are a strong team and they will pull through as a team. They will be a state this year and that's all that matters.Suggest removal of this comment
November 5, 2007
Football Lover
Concerned ParentObviously, your son or you have no way to view tape of the game because it was a clear catch and two feet down, not just one. It was a great high school game that came down to who had the ball last. Higley was fortunate to be only down 14 at half. QC will be ready in round 3. You better fix your run defense, so you don't give up 300 yards rushing again! Suggest removal of this comment
November 8, 2007
Reliable Source
In defense of "Concerned Parent" FYI the tapes were available and viewed and your clear cut view really was not as clear cut as you think. What it came down to is the ref's were horrible and called bad calls all night so as for your prediction, once again not so clear cut. Queen Creek yes played hard but they should not hold the Region Champ Title. This was an amazing game and with Higley fashion they came back in true Knight fashion. Your lucky they didn't beat QC the way they did Buckeye 53-7 . Oh wait you probably will make up some excuse as to why they won by so much or Buckeye was not that great of a team. The fact is Higley is a team and they don't depend on just one player to carrier them they truly play as a team with many stars. So in closingwe the Knights are off to the semi finals and QC is not. Suggest removal of this commentNovember 18, 2007