It was a meeting of two teams hungry for a win as the Logan Elm Braves visited Miami Trace High School to take on the Panthers on the gridiron Friday night.
Both teams entered the fray with identical 0-2 records.
The game stayed close throughout the night.
In the end, the Panthers had the ball and were driving for what would have been the go-ahead touchdown.
However, quarterback Brandon Arledge’s pass was tipped and intercepted by Gage Harrow at the Braves’ 16-yard line with 35 seconds to play in the game.
Logan Elm had to snap the ball just one time and take a knee to run out the clock.
“We shouldn’t be in that situation,” Miami Trace head coach Jerry Williams said. “We were moving the ball down the field and doing well and unfortunately, the ball was tipped and that’s the way the ball is bouncing right now.
“We’re not putting together four quarters of football,” Williams said. “There’s just no continuity right now. We are getting some guys back. We’ve had four guys sitting out and they’ll be back next week. Obviously, we have one heck of an opponent next week in Clinton-Massie.”
“I’m just really proud of our kids,” Logan Elm head coach Terry Holbert said. “We have a lot of young guys who are really playing their tails off. I’m happy we made enough plays to win the game.
“It was an exciting game,” Holbert said. “Very hard-fought. I’m very proud of our kids.”
Logan Elm began the scoring with a 31-yard field goal on their first possession by Corbin Betz.
Brady Wallace broke an 80-yard touchdown run on Miami Trace’s first play of the following series.
Wallace ran in a two-point conversion, but the play was nullified by a penalty.
The Panthers then attempted a point-after kick, which was no good. Miami Trace led 6-3 with 5:15 to play in the first quarter.
With 8:26 to play until halftime, Griffin Cheadle, the workhorse back for the Braves, carried in from five yards out. Betz’ kick made it 10-6 in favor of Logan Elm.
The score remained 10-6 at the halftime break.
A look at the halftime stats showed Miami Trace with 14 carries for 156 yards and Wallace 2 of 2 passing for 20 yards.
Logan Elm carried 27 times in the first half for 219 yards. They were 2 of 4 passing for 41 yards.
Logan Elm scored on their second possession of the second half, a 26-yard pass from Skyler Drum to Jamie Haynes. Betz’ kick gave the Braves a 17-6 lead near the end of the third quarter.
On the Panthers’ third possession of the half, with Arledge in at quarterback, the Panthers began to move the ball, starting at their own 9-yard line.
Arledge connected with Coby Hughes for a 62-yard touchdown with 6:42 to play in the game.
The two-point conversion pass was no good.
Logan Elm moved the ball down to the Miami Trace 41, but were forced to punt.
The Panthers began their hopefully game-altering drive at their own 4-yard line.
With the ball at the Braves’ 22-yard line, Harrow made the interception to seal the win for the visitors.
Logan Elm returns home next week to open Mid-State League play against Amanda Clearcreek.
Miami Trace will remain at home next week for a game against former SCOL opponent Clinton-Massie.
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