Harper Creek gets walk-off win over city rival Lakeview in final seconds
BATTLE CREEK - Bragging rights were up for grabs in this city rivalry game until the final seconds on the clock.
Then, with :03 remaining, the Beavers scored a walk-off touchdown on fourth down as Harper Creek beat Lakeview, 33-32, in this season opener at Lakeview High School on Friday.
Harper Creek quarterback Jesus Macedo rolled out to his left and found Nate Jackson in the corner of the end zone as the clock went to :00 to give the Beavers the win and the advantage in this city rivalry for at least a season.
"Been a long time since I have been a part of game like that. What a tremendous win in a city rivalry game, especially the way it happened," said Harper Creek coach Mason Converse, as his team ended a three-game losing streak to Lakeview. "Both teams made great plays. We were fortunate to be one play better tonight.
"To come away with a victory against our city rival, it doesn't get any better than that. And to win it, with a walk-off victory, it's pretty sweet."
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Here are 3 takeaways from the game:
'The Catch'
In a back-and-forth game, Lakeview took a lead on a dramatic blocked punt as the Spartans' Zach Kucharczyk got his hand on the ball, then scooped it up and ran in for a score from 25 yards out.
At that point, the Spartans led 32-27 with only 2:05 remaining.
Harper Creek was able to put a drive together and found itself on the 13 with time running out. On third down, the Beavers ran a pass to the short side of the field, that was knocked down by a Lakeview defender.
With only :03 left and fourth down, Jackson told his coach he wanted the ball in his hands.
"Nate called it. He called that play to left side and said, 'I'll get it.'" Converse said.
The Macedo to Jackson pass that came after in the final seconds will be talked about for a long time by Beaver fans.
"When we ran the 'V' on the other side of the field, I knew it was way too tight. I knew if we flipped it, I would be open and I was," Jackson said. "This is 100-percent crazy, to win like that To make that catch like that, it's crazy."
Contrasting Styles
Each team brought a different flavor to the offense for opening night.
Lakeview debuted its new spread offense, brought in by first-year head coach Brett Vernon, after being a run-heavy team last year. The result was four touchdown passes by Jake Kucharczyk. Davis Barr was on the receiving end of two of those scores with Zack Rogers catching another. The Spartans also scored as Kucharczyk hit his brother for a 49-yard scoring toss.
Harper Creek stuck to its wing-T running game, behind a big offensive line and seemed to get better as the game wore on. The Beavers' Bronson Carpenter scored three rushing touchdowns, including runs of 42 yards and 38 yards. Nehemiah Wert also scored on a 45-yard touchdown run.
What they said....
Lakeview coach Brett Vernon: "The game was like a roller coaster...They had adversity, we had adversity and give them credit, they battle through it and won it."
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Harper Creek gets walk-off win over rival Lakeview in final seconds
