The stage was set: a rematch between Midway and Coalfield similar to that just 2 years prior. Midway, the underdog with a relative small lineup but big on speed, against Coalfield, a team already making room in the trophy case for a run at the state title all while toting Mr. Davis around town on their shoulders.
After a “unique” rendition of the National Anthem, the much anticipated 2nd round match up began.
The 1st quarter was slow, with both defense’s playing strong. Coalfield managed a long drive in the 2nd quarter that started from their 30 yard line and put the first points on the board. Coalfield’s RB, Davis, would pass the 4,000 yards mark on the night which brought a big cheer from the Coalfield fans.
With 8 minutes left in the first half, Midway would begin a thrilling drive, a drive which included a 4th & long that the Waves converted when Lyle hit Stansbury for a 20+ yard gain which put the ball down inside the red zone with under a minute remaining.
After a scramble in the back field, Lyle took the ball down inside the 3 yard line and appeared to be knocked out of bounds however, the clock continued to roll. Midway hurried to snap the ball but was called off-sides which backed them up to the 8 yard line with only 2 seconds remaining at the sound of the whistle. Lyle would get the snap in time and rolled to his right…buying time all while keeping his eyes down field, he fired the ball to a wide open Stansbury standing at the back of the end zone. The ball went through his hands, bounced off his shoulder pad, and fell to the ground. It was a difficult throw and catch but one you want and expect your QB and receiver to make in such a big game. Coalfield would take a 7-0 lead into the half.
The way both sides reacted, you would have thought it was the last play of the game but we still had a whole 2nd half to play!
Both teams were forced to punt in their opening drives of the 2nd half.
Later, Coalfield, with the ball near mid field, went to the air. A decision they would regret as senior David Langley picked off the pass at the 10 yard line. However, a couple plays later, Midway’s Seth Lyle would fumble the ball right back to Coalfield. This time the Yellow Jackets would stay on the ground with Davis scoring for a 2nd time.
14-0 Coalfield at the end of three.
Lyle would take the ensuing kick off and nearly go the distance before being stopped just shy of Coalfield territory. But then things worsened for the green team. Seth Lyle would go to the air on a short out route. The Coalfield DB read the play perfectly and intercepted the pass and went 63 yards to put Coalfield up 21-0.
Despite the interception, I saw one of the best plays that I’ve seen all year. The ball was picked off by Coalfield’s Gunter who raced down the sidelines to a wide open end zone; however, there was one player who didn’t give up on the play and that was Lyle. Lyle never gave up and took off after Gunter and raced him the entire distance to try and keep him out of the end zone. Though he would come up a half yard short, Seth showed a lot of heart by not giving up on the play.
With 10 minutes remaining in the game, Midway would again bring the kick off out near midfield (why do teams continue to kick to Lyle and Poe???). But then it appeared that the Fat Lady was warming up as Coalfield would pick off another Midway pass.
The SORSN Staff began discussing our exit strategy and looked to pack up the cameras when the Waves defense answered the call of Coach Houston and forced Davis and the Coalfield offense to punt.
A couple plays later the man in the cape appeared. Superman Seth Lyle busted around the end, picked up a great block downfield, and scorched the Coalfield defense down the Midway sidelines 60 yards for a touch down. Lyle and Stansbury would connect for the 2-point conversion making the score 21-8 with just under 4 minutes remaining.
Coalfield recovered the onside kick and the outcome looked bleak for the Waves. That was until Coalfield’s Davis took the handoff and then put the ball on the turf. The Waves recovered and the momentum had shifted.
Midway’s offensive coordinator Coach Davis would go deep in the playbook. Right next to the hook-and-ladder sat the fan favorite, the flea-flicker. Lyle would take the snap and hand off to Davidson (under the cover of darkness Lyle would continue to roll out and down the field), Stansbury was on a reverse from the wide-out position and would take the pitch from Davidson. Stansbury would then launch it down the field and hit Lyle at the 15. Lyle appeared to be tackled but somehow managed to spin out of it and stay on his feet to walk into the end zone. Touch down Midway!
The 2-point conversion failed, leaving the score 21-14 with two and a half minutes to play.
Midway again tried the onside kick but Coalfield recovered.
The Midway defensive front played big again as they held Coalfield and forced a punt which went for a touch back. Midway would have the ball at the 20 with only 40 seconds remaining. After a couple of incomplete passes, Lyle and Stansbury switched job roles. Lyle went to receiver and Stansbury went into shotgun. It was to be a pass play to Lyle that Coalfield expected. The game and the exciting finish would come to an end with a Coalfield interception.
This brings an end to another great year of Greenwave football. The Waves went 6-4 in the regular season; a season that the Waves could have won the region. A 2-point loss to Coalfield which featured a Midway fumble on the goal line and a one-point loss to Harriman in over time which featured a blocked PAT in regulation that forced Midway into over time, is proof that you not only have to be good but you also have to be lucky to win in this region of single A football.