Overtime victory moves Blackhawks one step closer
By MIKE BURRIS
The Adrian Blackhawks football team traveled to Greenfield to take on the Wildcats in the Missouri Class 1A sectional round of the playoffs. In a hard fought game that see-sawed back and forth, Adrian emerged victorious 28-25 in overtime. This game will go down in Adrian’s long history of playoff football as one of the most exciting games ever.
The defenses for both teams came up huge so many times in the game only to have the opposing offense rip off big plays that went for long scores. After a scoreless first quarter Adrian tapped the scoring keg on a touchdown run by Erik White with 2:52 before halftime Adrian gutted out the successful two point conversion to take an 8-0 lead.
The remainder of the game saw Adrian take the lead only to have Greenfield tie it up then take the lead with 3:00 to go on the game clock. That was just enough time for Adrian to take the ball down the field, and on the legs of Trevor Gregg, crack the goal line with :02 to go on the game clock. Backup kicker Jimmy Ray had ice running through his veins and was as cool as the other side of the pillow splitting the uprights and evening the score at 22-22.
The ensuing kickoff went out of bounds and meant Adrian would not be guaranteed a chance at overtime unless they kept Greenfield from scoring on a hail mary pass down their sideline. Their desperation heave fell into the arms of their receiver who was on his way to the game winning score when Skyler Kariker knocked him out of bounds inside the five yard line. That play was a precurser to how things would unfold in overtime.
With the game on the line in overtime, the Adrian coaching staff put their fate in the combination that has reaped so many dividends this year. In a gutsy call that, if failed, would have resulted in a long field goal attempt, seniors Trevor Gregg and Skyler Kariker connected on a game winning touchdown pass setting off a wild celebration on the Adrian sidelines. Fans, coaches, players and media alike erupted with cheers and stormed the field in an emotional display of euphoria.
Adrian dispelled erroneous rumors that they couldn’t hang with the top echelon of teams in class 1A playoffs. This game was a complete team victory over one of the best teams in the State of Missouri and solidified Adrian’s place among the elite. The Blackhawks hope to use this game as a springboard on their way to St. Louis to play for the possibility of the second state championship in school history. Their next step in doing that will be this Saturday vs. the Tipton Cardinals in a game to be played at the Adrian sports complex. Adrian must build upon what they have accomplished and continue to play at this level to be successful. If this game is any indication of what to expect the Adrian football team, and their fans, are looking to make a similar statement in the quarterfinals.
Right: Erik White puts the first six points on the board for the Blackhawks against Greenfield.
Middle: Trevor Gregg tackles a Wildcat as Luke Hough and Skyler Kariker are ready to assist.
Far right: Brett Talley sacks Wildcat quarterback Jordan Bryant.
