Everhart recorded his first win as a Middie, and the difference between being 1-0 and 0-1 is two inches.
The Middies converted a fourth-down near midfield in the fourth quarter — by an inch — and stopped Wayne High School’s quarterback Javon Harrison from scoring a game-winning two-point conversation, by an inch, or less.
Two inches add up to one of the wildest finishes in recent Middie history as the Middies beat Wayne 32-31 Saturday night in the Skyline Crosstown Showdown before 5,500 frenzied fans at Welcome Stadium.
“That was some Middie Magic,” a jubilant Everhart said after congratulating the Warrior players and coaching staff near midfield.
More like a Middie Miracle.
Clinging to a 32-25 lead after quarterback Jalin Marshall scored and added a two-point conversion — the team’s only in five attempts — the Middie defense couldn’t hold the Warriors in the closing minutes. Harrison scored with 65 seconds left, and after the team made the extra point, it appeared the game was headed to OT. But after the Middies were called for offside, Jay Minton, the Warriors coach, accepted the penalty, giving his team the ball on the 1-1/2 yard line.
It was, as it turned out, The Longest Four Feet.
Harrison appeared to score, at least in Minton’s eyes. He said Harrison scored “1,000 percent.”
The referees gathered near the goal line and waived off the two-point conversion.
The Middies turned the ball over twice, once as the running back was nearing the goal line, and another time near their 10-yard line that led to an easy score.
But as Everhart: “I’d rather play bad and win, then play well and lose.”
Especially on your opening night.
Contact this columnist at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.
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