CLOVER – Catawba Ridge scored two touchdowns, including a momentous 98-yard kickoff return that sparked an emotional late comeback, in the final 6:30 of action to top Clover High School 19-14 in the regular season finale.
With the win, the Copperheads they improved to 6-4 overall and 4-2 in Region 3-4A to take control of the No. 3 seed out of the region heading into next week’s first round of the playoffs.
Down 14-7 with 6:20 left to play in the fourth quarter, senior Tyler Robinson caught a kickoff return on his own 2, then used strong blocking from his teammates to weave past several defenders on the left side of the field before turning on the speed for a 98-yard score.
Clover’s Damenion Talford blocked the ensuing PAT kick, leaving Catawba Ridge down 14-13. But the defense forced Clover into a 3-and-out on the next drive.
When the visitors took back the ball with 4:33 left, wide receiver Nate O’Dell and running back Boston Halpin both secured key fourth down conversions to keep the sticks and the clock moving. Halpin, 23 carries for 93 yards, scored the winning touchdown on the 11th play of the four-minute drive.
“Our defense had our back the whole game, so I was confident for the drive,” said Catawba Ridge quarterback Will Gambrill, who was 19-for-32 for 185 yards and a touchdown. “Our boys have been putting in the work all year. And Boston, once you dial his number, he gets downhill and scores touchdowns just like he did. We all know how lucky we are to come out with that one, so we turn it around next week, see who we’ve got, and game plan for next week.”
Clover (4-6, 3-3) had just 16.9 seconds to score a last-gasp touchdown but couldn’t push into Catawba Ridge’s red zone despite a hook-and-ladder final play.
“It’s emotional anytime you come on the field to win a football game like that,” said Catawba Ridge head coach Zac Lendyak. “Credit to Clover and the defense that they had. It was really hard sledding all night. O’Dell catching on fourth and 7 in our own zone, then being able to get down there. They helped us out with some penalties, but man, it’s good to win those football games.”
Clover’s hot start gave the Blue Eagles an early lead, but Catawba Ridge’s dogged offense finally drew the Copperheads equal on the final consequential play of the first half.
The home team turned its first drive of the night into points, converting a 91-yard march down the field. The highlight was a massive 61-yard dash by running back Legend Smart, who escaped a tackle at his own 2, then doubled back the other direction to outstrip several Copperhead defenders en route to green grass ahead.
Catawba Ridge’s Damian Ashcraft nearly earned a fumble recovery from a poor snap inside his own 10, but the referees deemed it an incomplete pass, rather than a botched handoff.
Two plays later, running back Grady Stone bull rushed his way into the end zone from 3 yards out to give the Blue Eagles a 7-0 edge midway through the first quarter.
Catawba Ridge couldn’t find much space in the first half, and the Copperheads were forced to punt on their first three possessions. On two of those drives, the final third-down play involved a Gambrill downfield heave to wide receiver Lucas McCauley, but the junior was well-marked on both plays.
Kicker Tristian Bingham attempted a 44-yard field goal midway through the second quarter, but missed wide left.
Catawba Ridge finally broke through with its final drive of the half.
Taking over at his own 34 with less than four minutes left, Gambrill found Calvin Rocheleau for a 17-yard gain, then a 10-yard pass to Odell to push inside Clover territory.
Clover’s defense gave up a pass interference penalty soon after as Catawba Ridge entered the red zone. On third and 5, Gambrill threw a quick slant to O’Dell from 6 yards out, and the junior receiver did well to reach low and snag the ball away from a defender and break the plane for a Copperheads touchdown to tie the ballgame with less than 22 seconds left on the clock.
“Last year, we played them over here, last game of the season, and that one was in overtime,” said Lendyak, who praised Clover’s resilience. “Two really good football teams are competitive, but it’s always good to come out on top.”
Gambrill and the Catawba Ridge offense struggled early in the second half. On both of their third-quarter drives, the Copperheads made it to the Clover 12 and the 21, but Gambrill threw interceptions. The first one was a batted ball at the line, while the other was intended for a receiver.
After so long without a score, Clover finally broke the deadlock thanks to an Aaron Shealey quarterback sneak with 6:22 left to play that capped off an 9-play, 82-yard drive. But Robinson’s kickoff return wiped away any momentum the Blue Eagles may have had.
And when Catawba Ridge got the ball back, down by 1 and driving, O’Dell caught a 15-yard gain on fourth and 7 before Halpin converted a fourth and inches on the Clover 21 – two key plays to keep Catawba Ridge’s hopes for a home playoff game alive.
“We felt really confident in the work that the offensive line was putting in all season,” Lendyak said. “We wanted to reward those guys, and we knew Will’s a big kid. We felt like, hey, if we can get it here, we can run this thing down to almost no time left and win the game. It was just a decision we made, and it paid off.”
