Raytown South advances to state semifinals on fluke final play of game

Saturday November 14, 2009 1:30 PM
Team (Record)	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Total
Raytown South (10 - 4)	0	7	0	14	21
Nixa	3	6	6	0	15

NIXA, Mo. | With only seven seconds remaining it appeared that Raytown South’s quarterfinal game with the Nixa Eagles would need overtime to determine a winner.

That was moments before one of the most improbable plays in the program’s history would send the Cardinals to the Class 5 state semifinals with a 21-15 victory Saturday over the Eagles.

Just minutes after throwing a potential season-wrecking interception, Ray-South senior quarterback Dennis Tanner lined up at the Nixa 26-yard line for one final play with the game tied 15-15.

After the ball was snapped, he narrowly avoided a sack and was chased from the pocket. He then cocked his arm back to unleash a desperation heave toward the end zone, but as he released the ball he was hit by an Eagle defender. The ball wobbled in the air for a brief second before senior running back Jerrick Walton found the ball in his hands at the 34-yard line.

Seconds later he was dancing in the end zone with his teammates and celebrating the most implausible of victories.

“(Dennis) told me get ready to block for me,” Walton said, “ ‘I might run.’ So when he rolled out I was just staying with him and when he threw it I caught it and I was shocked so I just took off and ran. I was just trying to run. And score.”

Ray-South coach David Allie said you need the occasional fluke play to make a playoff run.

Allie should know about fluke final plays. His team lost on the final play of the game last year in the state championship game.

Hazelwood East completed a 29-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass on the final play of its 39-34 victory at the Edward Jones Dome.

“Obviously we’ve been on the other end of that last year,” Allie said. “That’s fresh in your mind how much that hurts and seeing something like that, but that intense belief that something’s always going to happen … what can I say?”

The victory Saturday improved Ray-South’s record to 10-3. The Cardinals will play Fort Osage in the semifinals at 7 p.m. on Friday.

submitted by SHAWN GARRISON - 2009-11-14 22:00:02

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