Wild finish leads to football loss at Plainfield Central
With a minute left in the fourth quarter, quarterback Gavin Dooley threw a short side tunnel screen pass to Malik Armstrong who broke two tackles and ran 73 yards for a touchdown.
This began a wild finish to the Sept. 17 game at Plainfield Central.
With Minooka going up 36-30, the Indians still needed to hit the extra point. There was a clean snap and hold on the kick but not enough power for the ball to make it over the uprights.
Plainfield Central still had a chance. A short kick put Central on the 50.
As Minooka’s defense and Central’s offense ran out to the field, the Minooka fans felt good about a 6-point lead with only 33 seconds for the other team to score.
Minooka lined up in their signature 40 coverage.
Plainfield Central’s quarterback took the snap and looked deep. His No. 1 target ran a deep post. In the matter of seconds, the game was tied up. Then Central drilled the extra point and took the lead and get the win.
“A hard fought game, proud of the way they fought through adversity and overcame obstacles,.” head coach Matthew Harding said.
The team had prepared themselves well before the game.
“I think about my assignments on the bus ride there and pregame. Just zone in and know what you are doing so you don’t have to think in game,” Dooley said.
Minooka was the first team to score with an inside run with Ethan Murphy where he took it 78 yards for an Indian touchdown.
Minooka’s defense was solid and forced Plainfield to punt. Minooka wanted to bury them before half so they ran their signature jailbreak screen with Armstrong.
Armstrong broke some key tackles and ran 71 yards for another Indian touchdown. Plainfield was down 16-0.
Plainfield had to make a drive in the 2nd quarter. But Minooka had different plans. Plainfield went into a spread concept formation looking to pass the ball towards the middle of the field. But senior Ivan Dahlberg picked the ball off and returned it for a touchdown.
“I was kind of shocked, and didn’t even think I did it. It was one of my greatest feelings ever in football. It felt great and I will never forget it,” Dahlberg said.
Jeremy Marrero is a member of the Minooka varsity football team.