By Jason Longshore / STAFF

Famous sportscaster Al Michaels asked, “Do you believe in miracles?” in 1980 when describing the US Olympic hockey team’s upset of the vaunted Soviet squad. Coach Jeff Measor asked his Centennial Knights the same question at halftime as they entered the locker room down 21-7 to the undefeated Walton Raiders. Senior quarterback Scott Laffler and his defense answered that question with a thrilling 31-28 win.

“Our coach has so much faith in us,” said Laffler. “All of us seniors wanted to prove ourselves to him and the rest of the team.”

Laffler, playing with an injured shoulder, led the Knights with 221 yards rushing. His night was highlighted by a 75-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter that tied the score at 28. It looked like he would be stopped at the line of scrimmage, but Laffler suddenly broke away from the pile and sprinted into the end zone. “I have no idea,” said Laffler when asked about the run. “One of my own guys spun me the right way, I had my eyes closed.”

“He’s just an incredible football player,” said Measor about Laffler. “He’s got a bum shoulder and can barely throw the ball. All we can do is run the option, and he’s gotten so good at it. It’s a pretty thing to watch.”

“Scott is the best, he works hard every single day,” said teammate Chris Grant. “All the hard work we put in over the summer is paying off right now.”

Walton jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead after recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff. Quarterback Joey Windler found Patrick Cosgrove for an eight yard touchdown pass after a quick drive. Centennial answered with a Carlson Carty four yard touchdown run to tie the game.

Walton scored two more touchdowns before halftime, thanks largely to Knights’ turnovers. Windler scored on a one yard quarterback sweep late in the first quarter followed by a Kyle Vorster touchdown run from five yards out. Centennial turned the ball over six times in the first half.

When Windler hit Cosgrove for their second touchdown pass of the day early in the third quarter, it appeared that the 28-7 lead was going to be too much for Centennial to overcome. “To be honest, I didn’t think we could stop them. The way we played the last two weeks, we couldn’t stop the run, we couldn’t do anything,” said Measor.

It took a big effort from junior defensive leaders Chris Grant and Jessie Burdick in the second half to keep the Knights in the game. “I was on Jessie because, quite frankly, he played awful last week. I challenged him, and he came through. I’m certainly proud of him,” said Measor.

Zietrick Smith broke for a 27-yard touchdown on Centennial’s next drive to cut the lead to 28-14. After a quick three and out by the Raiders, the Knights took advantage of a poor punt and a short field. Smith scored from four yards out to make it a one score game. Smith finished with 158 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.

Burdick led the Knights to another three and out with a sack, but the Knights were forced to punt on their next drive. Grant stopped a quarterback draw on third-and-2 to force yet another Walton punt. Laffler took advantage of the momentum, and raced away for his 75 yard touchdown run.

Burdick stopped the next Raider drive on third down with another sack. The Knights drove down to Walton’s 17-yard line with under four minutes to go, but turned the ball over for a seventh time on a fumbled pitch. “How do you beat the best team in the region with seven turnovers?” asked Measor.

It might not have been the conventional method, but his Knights showed the way. Walton finally put together a drive late in the fourth quarter, before stalling out at the Centennial 38 yard line. With 1:25 left in the game, the Raiders decided to attempt a 56 yard field goal for the win. Burdick made the block, the holder recovered the loose ball, but was then crushed by Burdick before he could get anywhere.

The game came down to a fourth-and-4 play with 27 seconds left. Measor could have decided to attempt a long field goal, or simply play for overtime, but that would not suit him or his team. Laffler broke around the right on an option for thirty-seven yards. Brendan Moore gave the Knights their first lead of the night and the win with a 19-yard field goal.

“We’re three or four plays away from being 6-1,” said Measor. “I wouldn’t say that if I didn’t believe it.” When asked about the stretch run that sees Centennial host high scoring Lassiter and travel to face Campbell and Wheeler, Measor said, “I’m pretty confident we’re going to win the next three. That’s what we’re going to go try to do.” After seeing the celebration after this huge win, Centennial definitely believes in miracles. Will they complete another and get into the playoffs in a tough 6-AAAAA?