Published November 14, 2009
By Matt Cline
Special Correspondent
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte Latin coach Larry McNulty said that whenever Latin and rival Charlotte Country Day meet, expect a tight, hard-fought game.
Even McNulty might not have expected this. Latin's Jalen Ross scored his third touchdown in the second overtime, then Xander Maddox stopped Country Day's Brandon Santiago at the 2, sending the Hawks to a 31-24 win in the NCISAA semifinals at Patten Stadium.
"I don't know what to say, this is madness," McNulty said.
The madness started in the fourth quarter. Latin (10-1) dominated the first half, holding Country Day (10-2) to 56 yards of offense but led 10-0 at halftime.
Country Day fought back and tied it early in the fourth, then the teams traded fumbles on successive plays. After a Latin fumble gave Country Day the ball at the Hawks' 31, a bad snap past Bucs quarterback Morgan Roberts was recovered by Latin at the Country Day 45.
Latin drove to the Country Day 1 and faced fourth-and-goal, where McNulty gambled and went for it. Ross scored on the fourth-down run, giving Latin a 17-10 lead with 3 minutes, 55 seconds left.
That lead lasted 55 seconds. Country Day's Chris Shembo bolted 48 yards off the left side for a touchdown and the game was tied at 17.
The teams traded punts. Then, with 28 seconds left, Country Day's Lee Harrison intercepted a Sam Spence pass at the Hawks' 49. Country Day drove to the 17 with five seconds left, but Ben Rhyne's 34-yard field goal attempt missed to the left and the teams went to overtime.
Both teams scored in the first overtime on TD runs by their quarterbacks.
In the second overtime, Ross ran the ball twice and gained 5 yards on both runs, the second one giving the host Hawks a 31-24 lead.
Country Day was then faced with a fourth down from the 8, and Roberts hit Santiago with a pass. Santiago took a step toward the end zone but was tackled by Maddox 2 yards short, giving Latin the emotional victory.
"I was just trying to do whatever I could to keep him from scoring," said Maddox, who had been fighting cramps throughout the overtime. "They (Country Day) are an unbelievable team and this was an unbelievable game."
Latin will play in its seventh straight NCISAA title game next Friday at defending champion Charlotte Christian.
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