LINDEN — North Montgomery won the game of attrition on a muddy Charger Field and beat Yorktown 6-0 in double-overtime in the Sectional 28 first round. The Chargers won the game when quarterback Ross Dyson hit wide-out Brecken Hardy from seven yards out in the front corner of the end zone on third down.
Hardy was able to keep his feet inbounds for the winning catch before being mobbed by his teammates in celebration.
North Montgomery Coach Josh Thompson said his team did everything right on the last play.
“We threw the ball exactly where it had to be on that play and Brecken was in the right place,” Thompson said. “Our line did what they were supposed to do and it ended up being the winning play. It was exciting to see the whole team rush the end zone and celebrate.”
Before the game winning heroics, there was plenty of drama in the first overtime.
The Chargers had the ball first in the first overtime. Dyson appeared to scamper into the end zone from four yards out, but a holding call negated the score and the Chargers ending not scoring on the possession. Yorktown then got the ball for their first possession and ran three plays up the middle. The Tigers lined up to attempt a 25-yard field goal for the win. The kick appeared to be partially blocked and the ball fell harmlessly to the left of the into the end zone giving North Montgomery new life.
In the second overtime Yorktown had the ball first. A penalty on third down backed them up to the 22. Charger Gabe Laws recorded his first pick in the end zone giving the ball to North for their second attempt.
The Charger offense had two running plays net just three yards, before Dyson hit Hardy for the game winning pass.
Hardy ironically was the first player to touch the football in the game and the last player to touch the football. North Montgomery started the game off with a surprise onside kick and it was Hardy who recovered the ball.
The North Montgomery defense was on point the whole game. Time after time Yorktown had good field position to only be denied by the Charger defenders
The Chargers intercepted Tiger quarterback Mason Moulton three times. Gage Galloway got the first pick on Yorktown’s first play of the game. Both of Laws’ inteceptions occurred in the second half.
After being held to just six total yards in the first half, North Montgomery was able to get some offensive momentum. In the second half the Chargers out-gained the Tigers 195 to 67 yards in the second half. Sophomore running back Austin Sulc finished the game with 105 yards which included the game’s longest play when he rumbled 60 yards early in the fourth quarter.
For the game, the Chargers out-gained the Tigers 194 to 117.
“I am proud of our guys for staying focused and playing hard the entire game,” Thompson said. “Our guys never gave up even through the penalties and mistakes we had tonight. It was truly a team victory.”
North Montgomery will face Indianapolis Brebuef in the sectional second round.
