Crescent beats Walhalla in OT

WALHALLA — Third time proved not to be the charm for the Cardiac Kids from Walhalla. Crescent spoiled their homecoming. After late fourth-quarter wins over Saluda and West-Oak, the Razorbacks (5-3, 1-2) mounted another comeback against the Tigers (3-5, 1-2) to force overtime but it was not enough.

Crescent won, 27-21, in overtime.

Crescent scored on its second possession of the game on a 10-play, 50-yard drive capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by Anthony Wykle. The PAT was no good and the Tigers led 6-0 as time ran out in the first quarter.

Walhalla answered when it drove the field on a seven-play, 84-yard drive, culminating on John Sharpe’s 4-yard touchdown run.

The Tigers added a 36-yard field goal by Jess Sharp after an eight-play, 63-yard drive as time was winding down in the half to take a 9-6 lead.

The Tigers struck first in their opening drive of the second half on 12 plays for 68 yards, capped by a 15-yard scamper by quarterback Jared Burdette. The PAT was blocked and Crescent led, 15-6.

The Tigers added another score on their fifth possession when they scored on a two-play, 35-yard drive. Running back Jessie Thurman found a hole and scampered 31 yards for a touchdown.

Crescent tried for a two-point conversion but the Razorbacks defense held and the score was 21-6 and all but out of reach for the Razorbacks as 3:10 remained on the clock.

That’s when the Walhalla offense came alive.

Razorbacks’ junior quarterback Taylor Ungaro found his touch and

put together two touchdown drives to tie the game. Walhalla put

together a 5 play 65 yard drive when Ungaro found Mac Mullan

open on a an out route for 30 yards setting up a two yard

touchdown between the pair on the following play. Eli Cothran

added the PAT to make the score 21-13.

Walhalla’s special teams delivered on the ensuing kickoff as

Jesse Welborn recovered the on-side kick. Ungaro lead his team

down the field with precision passing for a 10-play 45-yard

drive capped by a McMullan touchdown catch. Sharpe added the

two-point conversion and the score was tied 21-21.

The emotional roll coaster may have been too much for the

Razorbacks as they failed to score on their 4-play drive from

the ten-yard line. Crescent had seen enough and on their second

offensive play of the overtime they punched it into the end zone

on a quarterback keeper by Burdette from the four, for a final

score of Crescent 27-Walhalla 21.

“Will take it any way we can get it,” exclaimed Crescent Coach

Troy Gamble. “Real proud of our kids they had all the momentum

going into the overtime. That’s a great job by those young men

from Walhalla not giving up on the game and fighting hard.

That’s something we have to work on, we can’t let up at any

time, but I’m real proud of our kids finding a way to win the

ball game. That’s by far the best we’ve played all year long.”

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