HOLLAND – Fremont Ross has been playing football for over 130 years but the Little Giants have never experienced an ending quite like Friday’s season-opener at Springfield.
The Little Giants appeared on the verge of miracle last-second, come-from-behind victory, as Hayden Lehmann connected with Bryce McKinstry to put Ross on the 1-yard line with 1.6 seconds on the clock.
Lehmann then spiked the ball to kill the clock and set up for the game’s final play. That play never came. After a lengthy deliberation by officials, they ruled 1.6 seconds was not enough time to complete the play. Snapping the ball and spiking it requires at least two seconds, coach Chad Long said officials explained to him.
Just like that, Ross’ heart-stopping victory turned into the most heart-breaking of losses, 30-29.
“It was their decision and that’s what they said. And it’s sad,” Long said. “We didn’t even get an explanation on what happened (the previous play), (was McKinstry ruled) out? In? They just ran up and ran the ball back in, and that’s why we spiked it, because we didn’t know.”
The final decision put a sudden end to what had been a wild final drive. Ross began at its own 23 with 1:12 to go and gained 11 yards on the first play and 16 more on a tipped pass caught by McKinstry to get the Little Giants to midfield with under a minute. Three-straight incompletions sent Ross to its final down until a Blue Devil pass interference call gave new life and 15 yards, down to the 35. Deryante Hardin moved Ross inside the 10 on a nice run after catch, getting out of bounds with 6.5 seconds. Then Lehmann connected with McKinstry along the sideline inside the 2-yard line. Unsure if officials ruled the play in or out of bounds, Ross spiked the ball, unknowingly ending its comeback bid.
“Our kids had it taken from them,” Long said.
Ross found itself in position to make its comeback thanks to a terrific fourth-quarter defensive effort.
Just three plays after tying the game at 27 early in the fourth quarter, Springfield intercepted a Lehmann pass deep in Little Giant territory. The Blue Devils were first-and-goal at Ross’ 4-yard line but the Little Giant defense pushed Springfield back on three-straight plays, including a third-down sack by Dontrez Brown which, coupled with a Springfield personal foul, pushed the ball back to the 30-yard line.
But Springfield kicker Kyle Rhonehouse had the answer. His 47-yard field goal with 7:18 to play put Ross in a 3-point deficit with 7:18 to play.
Still trailing by three. Ross’ defense again held film when Springfield retook possession with 3:50 remaining looking to run-out the clock. Again, the Little Giants forced the Blue Devils into negative yardage and a three-and-out. Rather than risk punting from inside their 5-yard line, however, the Blue Devils elected to run out the back of the end zone for a safety, while trickling precious seconds off the clock – seconds that soon proved to be monumental.
“The defense played great,” Long said. “They caught us in a couple of spots but that’s a good offense,” Long said.
Ross struck first, on its second possession of the game. On third-and-16, Lehmann, given plenty of time by his offensive time, found McKinstry streaking behind the Springfield secondary for a 49-yard strike and the first lead of the season.
The Blue Devils, however, answered just six plays later with a big play of their own. Devin Johnson took a jet sweep for 60 yards and a 7-7 tie.
The game remained knotted until the later staged of the first half.
Taking possession at its own 20 with just under four minutes to play in the quarter, Ross moved quickly downfield thanks to completions of 25 and 15 yards to Noah Hotz and a 17-yard pass to McKinstry.
Then, from the Blue Devil’s 25, Lehmann connected again with McKinstry for their second score of the night. The extra point, however was blocked and Ross led 13-7.
Springfield, however, fumbled on the ensuing kick return, as Jason Burling stripped the ball loose and Spencer Price recovered it to give the Little Giants possession at the 16-yard line.
Two plays later, Lehmann ran a keeper around the left side of the line and scampered into the end zone for the Little Giants’ second touchdown in 22 seconds and a 19-7 lead heading into halftime.
Ross outgained Springfield 230-176 in offense in the first half with the biggest difference coming in the trenches. Ross’ defenders swarmed Springfield quarterback AJ Gucciardo whenever he dropped back to throw while Lehmann was very well protected by his offensive line.
Springfield scored two unanswered touchdowns to begin the third quarter and take a 20-19 lead, but the Little Giants responded.
Noah Hotz took the ensuing kickoff deep into Springfield territory then caught a pass from Lehmann to put Ross inside the 5-yard line. Two plays later Deryante Hardin scored from two yards out to take a 27-20 lead after a 2-point pass.
But the Blue Devils responded with a pass from Gucciardo to Brady to tie the game at 27 one minute into the fourth quarter.
Lehmann finished the night 19-of-35 for 289 yards with two touchdowns. McKinstry finished with six catches for 117 yards. Hotz caught eight balls for 132.
Deryante Hardin rushed for 90 yards on 11 carries and caught five passes for 45 yards.