Paxton, MA - Husson football dropped a heartbreaker Saturday afternoon at AMCAT Stadium in the Eagles' second overtime game in three weeks, 44-42. Husson and Anna Maria were deadlocked at 22-22 following regulation, forcing an overtime matchup for the ages.
Taquan Broadway and the Eagles opened up the scoring on the opening drive of the game, starting at their own 25. Quarterback Kash Keezer threw for 15 yards on the first play, completing to Devin Sherman and a first down. Broadway carried the ball several times for 27 yards and Keezer threw three more times for 31 yards setting up the Eagles on the AMCAT 2. One play later, Broadway put the first points on the board, scoring from three yards out.
Both teams would punt on their next possessions which would lead to a massive, 14-play, nine-plus minute drive for Anna Maria that brought them all the way to the Husson five. AMCAT Kicker Jamal Mitchell then entered the game for a 22 yard field goal attempt that ended up wide right.
Husson would have the upper hand in the kicking game on the day, as Reece Attarded would come on for a 34 yard attempt with :36 left in the first half. Attard's kick split the uprights, giving Husson what would seem to be a 10 point lead at halftime.
The AMCATs fumbled in the final moments of the first frame, giving the ball back to Husson and Attard for a huge 50-yard field goal attempt. Attard's 43-yarder two weeks ago broke the school field goal record. The first-year kicker from Australia booted the 50-yarder to put Husson on top 13-0 at the break.
Husson extended their lead in the third quarter on a Josiah Hartley touchdown from four yards out along with a safety the Eagles picked up moments later.
In the fourth quarter the AMCATs wouldn't go lightly scoring their first points of the day on a Santino Simone pass to none other than Dom Concepcion from nine yards out.
Concepcion caught once again from Simone just a few minutes later from 28 yards out, cutting the Husson lead to 22-14.
Husson could not stop the Simone and Concepcion combination as they scored once again close within two points with just over a minute to go. Simone ran in the two point conversion to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Husson would start overtime with the first possession, finally scoring on a Broadway run from the four. Attard added the extra point to lead 29-22.
Anna Maria took it's first possession and let Robert Small rush on four out of five plays for 23 yards, setting up a Simone quarterback keeper for the score. Mitchell hit the extra point to tie the game at 29-29.
In the second overtime period, Simone found first-year wide receiver Donald Graham to give the AMCATs the 36-29 edge.
Husson then took over with Broadway running twice for 12 yards. Keezer dropped back on the next play, finding Ben Foss in the endzone for the tying score.
Husson would start the third overtime with possession and promptly scored. Broadway rushed once for three yards and again on the second play for 22 yards and the score. With the NCAA overtime rules in place, Husson had to attempt the two point conversion, failing to score on a Keezer throw.
On the ensuing drive, Small ran for 13 yards to the 12 and Simone ran into the endzone to tie the game. Simone then threw on the two point conversion finding Graham who made an incredible catch to clinch the victory.
Husson ends it's 2012 campaign with an overall record of 2-8 and 1-6 in the ECFC. Check back to hussoneagles.com next week for the season recap and an insight into Husson Football's future.