Friday night saw Happy Valley on the wrong end of a heartbreaker
The Warriors fell 25-22 in overtime after Gatlinburg-Pittman’s Joey Renfro knocked home a 35-yard field goal to give the Highlanders the win.
It was Happy Valley’s first loss on the season, and moves them into a three-way tie for the top spot with Hampton and Gatlinburg-Pittman.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Warriors’ Austin Hicks scored on a four-yard run. Michael Harrah’s extra point gave HV a 7-0 lead with 9:46 left to play in the second.
Neither team was able to get back on the scoreboard until Harrah added a 35-yard field goal with 36 seconds remaining in the quarter.
The Highlanders, however, wouldn’t go into the half quietly. Zayquan Gillespie scored on an eight-yard pass from Albert Werner with just three-seconds remaining as GP closed the Happy Valley lead to 10-7 at the half.
Hicks and the Warriors increased the lead with 5:48 to play in the third quarter with a one-yard run. Werner battled back for GP has he ran in a touchdown for an 11-yard score with 2:27 left in the period. That score closed the lead to two points – which it remained going into the final quarter.
Sage Haun opened the fourth quarter with a 13-yard touchdown to give the Warriors an eight-point lead. Happy Valley held the advantage until Werner scored his second rushing touchdown of the night – this one from 10 yards out – with 1:02 left on the clock. Werner then found Gillespie for the conversion to force overtime.
In the extra period, HV saw their possession end on an interception. That set the stage for Renfro’s heroics.
As a team, HV outgained the Highlanders 328-167.
Dustun Sams tallied 130 yards on 19 carries, while Dylan Street had 57 yards on 11 carries. Hicks added 33 yards.
Haun finished the game 9-18 passing for 103 yards. Same and Street added 36 and 25 yards, respectively.
Matthew Sides led the Highlanders as he had 41 yards on 19 carries. Werner finished the game with eight carries for 35 yards, and went 5-of-13 through the air for 60 yards.
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