To boot: Skovborg’s fifth-overtime field goal sends Romeo past Athens
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
TROY — Rasmus Skovborg drove a dagger into the heart of the Troy community Friday night.
Skovborg, a kicker from Romeo, booted the game-winning field goal from 31 yards out in the fifth overtime Friday in leading the visiting Bulldogs to a dramatic, 34-31, five overtime victory over Troy Athens in a Division 1 prep football district opener.
Skovberg hit a pair of field goals and four extra points for 10 total points in the game to help Romeo (9-1) into next week’s district final at Utica Eisenhower, 35-0 winners over Macomb Dakota.
Athens (7-3) fumbled the ball away on its fifth possession of overtime play, setting the stage for Skovborg and he split the uprights.
“It was the simplest of plays, the things that we have been doing all season, and we drop the football and it gave them the opportunity,” sighed Athens coach Josh Heppner. “They have a quality kicker and he gave them the points they needed.”
The two teams battled through a defensive struggle in regulation, going into extra time tied at 7-7.
Zack Williams scored touchdowns of 25 and 3 yards for Romeo. Zac Rizzo scored the other two touchdowns and Skovborg kicked a 15-yarder for the Bulldogs heading into the fifth and final overtime session.
STALLED OUT: Troy Athens' Lonnie Bolden can't find running room in a game this season.Bolden and the Red Hawks came up short in their bid to advance to the district finals, falling to Romeo 34-31 in a five-overtime thriller. File Photo.
Lonnie Bolden had three touchdowns for Athens, while Jake Spinek caught a TD pass from Ben Bartnowak. Sandy Mouch made four extra points and also kicked an 18-yard field goal for the Red Hawks, who not only had their first winning season since 2004, but also made the playoffs for the first time since that season.
Bolden’s 2-yard plunge with 8:17 to go tied the game.Antonio Mitchell’s pick set up the game-tying drive.
Mouch also barley missed a 37-yard field goal with 1:17 left that could have won the game in regulation.
Athens came up one play short in this postseason classic, the longest in the area since 1999, when Clarkston defeated Dakota in five overtimes in a district final.
Heppner was quick to point out that the Red Hawks suffered multiple injuries down the stretch and that missing Kris Gervin and Lonnie Jaynes the past couple of weeks hurt the Athens offense.
“To do what we were able to do, finish 7-2 in the regular season with the injuries we had and the fact that we haven’t had a winning season in years is remarkable,” said Heppner. “I am proud of our season and the way we’ve changed the direction of the program.”
Heppner is the Red Hawks’ fourth head coach in an eight-year period.
“We had some injuries to some keys guys, but everyone else stepped up and led us to the postseason,” continued Heppner. “We lose some key guys but we have a lot of quality players coming back and some (talented) players coming up in the program that will keep us consistent.”
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Category: High School, Prep Wraps, Troy Athens
