Wide left: Bucs hangs on to defeat Blue Devils
Chartiers-Houston’s Spencer Terling breaks through the left side of the Burgettstown line for a touchdown run that was canceled by a holding call in the game at Chartiers Houston on September 23.
Spencer Terling is met by Burgettstown’s Jarred John as he advances a handoff from T. J. Johnston in the opening drive of the Buccaneers’ game at Chartiers-Houston on September 23.
Burgettstown’s Ryan Lounder eludes Chartiers-Houston’s Spencer Terling to advance a pass from Brad McLaughlin to the Buccaneer six yard line in second quarter of the game on September 23 at Chartiers-Houston.
Nic Speer darts past Buccaneer Matt Whitfield to advance a handoff from Brad McLaughlin for the Blue Devils in the September 23 game at Chartiers-Houston.
HOUSTON – It could have been a very bad night for the officiating crew of the key Class 2-A Century Conference game between Burgettstown and host Chartiers-Houston.
There were several huge, controversial calls the officials made that, while they impacted the game, did not factor into the outcome.
In the end, the story of the game was redemption for some, heartbreak for others, and sighs of relief for many.
Reed Reitter’s 34-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left as time expired, and Chartiers-Houston hung on for the narrowest of victories, 7-6, over Burgettstown, overcoming a slew of mistakes by both players and officials.
“It’s out of your hands at that point,” said Char-Houston coach Terry Fetsko about the missed field goal. “You just have to let fate take its course. I’ve been on the wrong end of those a few times.”
He was also on the wrong end of a few officiating decisions Friday night.
First, there was the fifth down the Blue Devils (2-1, 2-2) were awarded, then the officials whistling a play dead after a Burgettstown player fumbled a punt that the Bucs seemingly recovered, plus several other calls that left the Chartiers-Houston sideline frustrated.
Through it all, the Bucs (3-0, 4-1) found a way to win thanks in part to A.J. Myers, whose mistake earlier put Chartiers-Houston behind.
His 80-yard punt return to the 3-yard line eventually set up T.J. Johnston’s one-yard touchdown run, and Joey Dunn’s extra point proved to be the difference.
“He was very eager to get the ball in his hands,” said Fetsko.
“Just an outstanding effort on his part. He felt horrible.”
Earlier, Myers had pulled in a 21-yard pass on third and long but had the ball ripped away by Ryan Lounder, who returned it 54 yards for the game’s first points late in the third quarter.
The extra point, fatefully, was blocked, as was a 21-yard field goal attempt by Burgettstown in the third quarter.
Fetsko and the Bucs thought they tied the game on the very next possession, when Austin Ryan let a punt bounce off his hands and into the arms of a Char-Houston player, who, with his coaches yelling at him, took it to the end zone as confusion reigned.
The officials, however, awarded the ball to Burgettstown at the spot of the bobble.
“They missed that one, but no one would admit to it,” said Fetsko. “All the officials, other than the one who called it, said it wasn’t their call and they didn’t see it. That’s what they told me.”
Johnston had his own struggles, with a pair of interceptions, several potential big plays that the throws weren’t quite there, and he was sacked three times. He completed 7 of 17 passes for 91 yards, including a big 12-yard play on third and 13 to Jordan Davis to set up the game’s lone offensive touchdown.
All three sacks were by Bryan Krynak, following up on his 5 1/2-sack performance last week.
“I sure hope some colleges are taking a look at him because that’s the kind of kid you want to have on your team,” said Blue Devils coach Mark Druga. “His motor is outstanding.”
Officials lost track of the number of downs late in the second quarter, awarding Burgettstown a fifth down. Fortunately for the Bucs and not so fortunately for the Blue Devils, Burgettstown missed a field goal on the extra play.
“I talked to them and they knew they missed it, but what can you do after the fact? Luckily it didn’t cost us,” said Fetsko.
A week after rushing for over 100 yards, Nic Speer led all players with just 49 yards on 16 carries, as both teams’ defenses swarmed any ballcarrier in not allowing any space.
Chartiers-Houston had six first downs in the first half but managed only one in the second half.
“Both teams focused on defense, but I wasn’t expecting this low-scoring a game, that’s for sure,” said Druga. “There’s a long season still ahead of us. We have to fix mistakes we made on the offensive and special teams areas. I can’t fault the defense tonight.”