ETHAN HYMAN - ehyman@newsobserver.com
Harnett Central's Brandon McLean (90) reacts after their last-second field goal was blocked in the Trojan's 14-13 loss to A.C. Reynolds in the 4-A state championship at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh on Saturday Dec. 12, 2009.
Jonathon Hill stood on the 30-yard line at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday evening and stared at the scored board in the north end zone. His Harnett Central High teammates filed past him, heads lowered, tears streaming from their eyes.
Hill, a senior offensive lineman, stood there paralyzed by the final score. His Trojans had lost 14-13 to Asheville A.C. Reynolds in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4-A state football championship after rallying from a seven-point deficit with two minutes remaining.
In the end, after a failed two-point conversion attempt and an errant pass on a certain touchdown play, a blocked field goal attempt ended the Trojans' electrifying come-back efforts, snapped a 15-game winning streak and denied the school its first state championship in any sport.
"I can't believe it went down like that at the end," Hill said. "It's kind of hard. Four years of varsity football and it's over."
Just moments before, it appeared Hill and his teammates would return to Harnett County filled with jubilation after turning around their fortunate in this game in the same hard work fashion coach Marc Morris used to help turn around a program that in 1984 scored just one touchdown the entire season.
Trailing 14-7 with 2 minutes, 41 seconds remaining, the Trojans started a drive on the 10-yardline. Seven plays later junior quarterback Brian Taylor connected with sophomore receiver Kendrick Rodgers on a 48-yard touchdown pass play to pull the Trojans within a point.
The large contingent of Harnett Central fans - some dressed in camouflage jumpsuits to brace against the bitter cold - erupted with cheer. They waved homemade signs and shouted for the team that had inspired the surrounding communities of Angier, Buies Creek, Lafayette and Lillington.
Morris, who has a 64-15 record in six seasons as head coach, decided his team would try for a two-point conversion in order to take the lead with 52 seconds to go. He called for a run and Reynolds' stout defense kept Jarrod Spears - the team's leading rusher this season - out of the end zone as he tried to run off tackle.
"I really felt like it was time to go for the win," Morris said. "Our kids felt it was time. ... There's three yards to win the state championship."
Harnett Central junior quarterback Brian Taylor agreed with the decision. He said his teammates were confident, though too excited as they approached the line of scrimmage.
"I thought we could get three yards," Taylor said. "That's our go-to play. I guess they just tagged it."
The Trojans received another chance after they recovered an on-side kick.
Starting from their 48-yardline, the Trojans took a shot down field and nearly added a state championship trophy to got with their 2009 Greater Neuse conference championship.
On the third play of the drive, the Trojans called for a half-back option pass play and senior receiver Tate Wheelin could not complete a pass to a teammate who ran free 30 yards down field.
"We blew that coverage," Reynolds coach Shane Laws said. "And they called a good play. My heart dropped down to my feet."
Hoping to find the end zone, the Trojans tried to move the ball down field and reached their 26-yard line. Two incomplete passes forced them to try a 42-yard field goal.
Taylor's attempt was blocked by Reynolds' Ben Councell.
"I hate for it to end like this," said Taylor, who completed 18 of 29 passes for 194 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Spears added 101 yards on the ground on 26 carries, while the Trojans' defense held Reynolds to 258 total yards in a game that started as a defensive tussle.
Morris said no single play resulted in the loss on Saturday and he complimented the character of his players, something he said helped the team recover after entering halftime down 14-0.
"It's a heartbreaker for the kids," Morris said. "We're going to to look back on this in a couple of weeks and realize what we accomplished."
It was the first state championship appearance for the Trojans, who were the No. 2 seeds in the East and lived up to it by winning four playoff games. It was the 12th postseason berth for the school since 1972 and a surprising run for a team in its first season of 4-A football.
After the game, his helmet in hand, Hill walked slowly off the field toward the tunnel. He was the last of his teammates to leave, taking a few moments to watch the scoreboard and the celebratory dances of Reynolds players. He shook his head.
When asked about his team, he said, "I love them all. We overcame a lot."
