By By Jeff Byrd/staff writer
October 26, 2002
FOREST In a game with a near similar ending to one of this season's best NFL games, both Clarkdale's David Prewitt and Scott Central's Ivan Garcia filled in quite nicely in their roles of Denver's Jason Elam and Miami's Olando Mare.
Garcia hit a game-winning 32-yard field goal with 13 seconds left to give unbeaten Scott Central a dramatic 12-10 win here Friday night at Hayden Field. The kick capped a wild drive by the Rebels that covered 46 yards in 33 seconds.
That's because with 46 seconds left, Clarkdale's David Prewitt booted through a 30-yard field goal that handed the Bulldogs a 10-9 lead.
Scott Central remains unbeaten at 9-0 and has control of Region 5-2A with a 4-0 league mark. But because the final margin was just two points, the now 6-3 Bulldogs can still win the region if Newton were to beat Scott Central next week in Newton.
Clarkdale head coach Bubba Hathorn was once again moved to tears over his club's gutsy effort on a rain-slick field against an unbeaten foe.
Scott Central head coach Mickey Bounds said Clarkdale has a quality team.
Garcia handed Scott Central a 3-0 lead when he made a 26-yard field goal with 3:06 left in the first quarter. The kick capped a short 34-yard drive after Clarkdale had to punt out of its own endzone.
Clarkdale responded with a solid drive reaching the Scott Central 25. Facing a fourth-and-seven, the Bulldogs went for it, trying a back screen pass. The play gained four yards resulting in a turnover on downs.
Scott Central countered moving 79 yards in seven plays. Fresh legs in Tony Lyles proved big for the Rebels when he took a counter 32 yards for the touchdown. The score was set up by a 25-yard pass from MacHandy Bobbitt to Roderick Loper. The pair would later hook up for the game's crucial play.
Garcia missed the PAT kick leaving the score at 9-0 with 8:03 left in the half.
Clarkdale appeared in range for Prewitt at the Rebel 26 late in the half, but Justin Culpepper was sacked on a blitz for an 11-yard loss.
Clarkdale bounced back on its initial drive of the second half. The Bulldogs chewed up 54 yards in seven plays getting the score on a 1-yard sneak by Culpepper. Prewitt's kick made it 9-7 with 9:16 left in the third quarter.
Scott Central put together a good drive late in the third quarter reaching the Bulldog 21. But instead of kicking on fourth down, the Rebels went for it and blew the exchange and Clarkdale took over on downs.
The clock read 9:45 left when the Bulldogs began the possession. They would use up all but 46 seconds before Prewitt hit his go-ahead kick.
The drive took 15 plays and moved 61 yards. A 15-yard facemask and two short Culpepper passes on third downs helped move things along.
Down 10-9 with 46 seconds left, Scott Central took over at its own 40 following a short kick. On second down, Bobbitt hit Loper who then lateralled to Cedric Gray for an 18-yard gain to the Clarkdale 42.
With 30 seconds left, Bobbitt then hit Loper on a flag route for a 28-yard gain to the 14. The Bulldogs were without its best corner in Quinn Moffitte in the fourth quarter.
Scott Central finished with 298 yards in total offense to Clarkdale's 249. Bobbitt was 6-of-8 for 114 yards.
Kevin Matthews had 92 yards on 12 carries while Cedric Burns had 70 yards on 15.