Panthers falter late, lose 28-14

By John Hale
Special to Media General News Service
Published: September 6, 2008

EDEN - McMichael put the special into the special teams play Thursday night, scoring 16 points without an offensive play.
Instead, Morehead coach Jason Smart was scratching his head.
With 24 seconds left before the lockerroom, Morehead’s Kyre’ Keen took a punt at his 5-yard line and was knocked backward into the end zone by the Phoenix’ Alton Crutchfield.
Crutchfield stuck with his tackle and put McMichael ahead 2-0, and led the Phoenix (2-1) to a 28-14 victory.
On the ensuing free kick from Morehead(0-3), Daniel Hopper faked a reverse on the return and ran the ball back 65 yards for a touchdown with 9 seconds left in the half, to give the Phoenix a 9-0 halftime lead.
“We had a couple of special teams breakdowns tonight,“ Smart said. “We gave up two of them tonight; a safety; that’s 16 out of (28 points).“
The Panthers had a little electricity in their game plan, although they recorded only one play from scrimmage netting more than 7 yards until 10:10 remained to play in the game. Quarterback Jawaan Winfield kept a scramble alive for 35 yards to energize his mates.
That run led to a Joe Glasgow 13-yard touchdown run less than two minutes later to pull Morehead within 6, 12-6.
McMichael seemed content to try to run out the clock with conservative play calling, which led to a 3-and-out for the Phoenix.
Winfield took the next series on his shoulders with three rushes totaling 46 yards that led to a 2:01 touchdown drive, which was capped by a Glenn Wade determined 16-yard run. Wade bowled over two Phoenix defenders at the 5-yard line and carried them into the end zone. Winfield found Bryson Adams for a 2-point conversion and a 14-12 Morehead advantage.
Then lightning struck again. McMichael’s Darien Caple reversed the kickoff with a handoff to Crutchfield, who streaked down the right side and the second special teams touchdown of the game.
“We worked on it a lot,“ McMichael coach Gary Whitman said. “It’s been big for us. The kids make it happen. They deserve the credit.“
Crutchfield said he “juked” out of one tackle, but “beautiful blocks” by Noah Coleman and Steven Chestnut freed him for the game-winning score.
“Just play the ball. See how it comes,“ Crutchfield said. “Just play it. I’ll see what opens and let the speed take it.“
Just 1:58 later, Brach Walker sprung the ball from Wade’s grip and carried it 35 yards for the game’s final score.
“We’ve got to change, our kids and coaches included, the way we go about our business,“ Smart said. “Right now, building on anything is tough. It was a big game, a county game.“
Winfield, who rushed 101 yards Thursday, was helped off the field following a blind-sided sack by Walker with a minute left in the game. Smart said he believed Winfield was shaken up, but not injured on the play.