Don't Back Down

Last night, as the clock neared midnight, the streak of 109 consecutive football victories was snapped. Whether it was the fact that the Cincinnati Elder Panthers (that name just doesn't flow off the tongue) out-played or out-coached the Independence Patriots, or whether the fact that the players from the Big I had to travel much of the day Friday and face another team while they were so far away from home is irrelevant. The streak is over. For now, at least.

While this streak ends, another is still alive, for the Patriots have at least a passing chance at securing their eighth straight state championship this year, and after all, coach Tom Knotts wasn't wearing a shirt in summer practice that read 120 (or something similar) - it had a big, fat 8 on it. Though it would have been nice for the tradition to continue, it would have been another two years after this one for the Patriots to even challenge the Concord de la Salle record of 151 straight wins.

And by all accounts, it was a good game.

The Patriots were ahead 27-14 at the half, and Elder rallied to tie it at 27. Then the Patriots came back and went up by seven points, 34-27, but the Panthers rallied to tie it again, at 34. It's like Elder smelled the blood in the water and they just wouldn't lie down. They knew that they weren't out and they weren't ready to go quietly into the good night. In fact, it reminds me a bit of the Independence game last year, where they came back to beat Butler (and then the Patriots stomped on Butler in round two during the playoffs).

This year it's been different. The Patriots aren't the team that they have been.

Though a couple of transfers sparked controversy over the summer, injuries have popped up. That's something that Coach Knotts just hasn't had to deal with up until now, and his team has had to fight something else - allowing their opponents to stay in the game. Before, the Big I would simply annihilate the other team, often winning by 40 or more. Now the games were close. That was new, and this gave the Panthers the chance they needed.

Once the score was tied at 34, there was one final chance for the Patriots, and they marched down the field to attempt a 48 yard field goal as time ran out, but it fell short. That sent the game into overtime, and in high school football, that means each time gets the ball at the other team's 20 yard line, with four plays to score.

Elder quickly capitalized, going up 41-34, which meant that it was do-or-die time for Independence, and before they knew it, the Panthers had intercepted the ball, which ended the game and the streak on a field in Ohio, far from home. At least they can still win state.

For now, it means that they need to start a new streak next week at West Charlotte (who is looking pretty strong - maybe we'll see two losses in a row) and it looks like the Sweet 16 in Charlotte will have a new number one for the first time in forever - the Butler Bulldogs. Congratulations, guys. Sorry you won't be the ones to end the streak in November.