For The Daily Reporter
YORKTOWN — After two-straight weeks of tough competition, the Greenfield-Central Cougars came into Friday night’s ballgame on a mission to win their first Hoosier Heritage Conference game.
The Cougars (3-4, 1-4 HHC) completed their mission, besting the Yorktown Tigers 14-13 in a game that went down to the final seconds.
A tipped pass from quarterback Jeremiah Fields found receiver Johnny Davis, who displayed excellent concentration hauling in the deciding score.
Coach Roger Dodson was hesitant to throw the ball all game long because of the wind but was forced to make the call with time and turnovers weighing against the Cougars.
“We had no choice right there,” explained Dodson. “You like to mix it up a little bit, but we put the ball on the ground way too much.”
Behind a punishing running attack, the Cougars jumped out to an early 7-0 lead. Andy Kim shouldered the bulk of the carries and hauled in a crucial screen pass on third down to continue the drive.
The Cougars continued to pound the ball well into the second half despite being tied with the Tigers (3-4, 1-4 HHC) at 7. Attempting 15 plays in the third, the Cougars only attempted one pass and it was on a critical 4th-and-5 that could have turned into a Cougar touchdown.
Despite precious time running out, the Cougars continued to run the ball, not wanting to give the aggressive Tiger defense any chance on offense. In the end the play calling worked in favor of the Cougars.
“I can never complain about these kids win, lose or draw,” Dodson said. “These kids come out and go to work, their fun to be around and it’s a great win.”
With just two more games to go in the regular season, the Cougars will play their final home game next Friday against the Delta Eagles. Since the two teams joined the HHC in 1997, the Cougars have never beaten the Eagles.
