Port Clinton goes for 2 in 5th overtime, edges Vermilion 29-28

VERMILION — High school football can be a game that features unbelievable moments that get your adrenaline pumping while also breaking your heart. In an absolute thriller that featured a pendulum of emotions for both fan bases, Port Clinton defeated Vermilion 29-28 in five overtimes Friday. The five overtimes is tied third for the most ever in the history of the OHSAA and the first since Anthony Wayne defeated Oregon Clay 52-46 on Aug. 29, 2008. "First and foremost, what a crazy game," Port Clinton coach Eric Leuthold said. "Both teams gave it everything they had and I hope my guys enjoy this one. That is an unbelievable game to win." After a dramatic end to regulation, the drama and intrigue continued in the first overtime as Vermilion took the ball and had not one, not two, but three chances to score after two penalties wiped off fourth down stops for the Redskins (4-3, 1-1 SBC Bay). An Adam Fitt missed field goal fell short from 32 yards. The second and third overtimes featured both teams again missing field goals that could have won the game. The action-packed moments continued as Brock Meyers looked to have scored in the fourth overtime to win the game, but it was picked off at the very last second. Then came the crescendo to an outstanding homecoming game. The Sailors (4-3, 0-1) scored in the fifth overtime to take a 27-21 lead when Drake Hooks found Aiden Saunders from 20 yards out. Vermilion kicked the extra point to go up 28-21. That crucial decision came into play as Port Clinton returned the favor by scoring as Landon Leis hit Christian Miller from 8 yards out to make it 28-27. Instead of tying the game at 28, Port Clinton ran a perfectly executed two-point conversion to Gavin Cornell, who caught a pass in the left flat and fought multiple defenders for the conversion and win. "I told my guys I want to win this game now," Cornell said. "That play was designed for me and I trusted my teammates and myself that I would get in and win this game." In the first quarter, the Sailors featured do-it-all back Evan Kuhns as he had a 43-yard run to set up Hooks' 1-yard touchdown to open the scoring. Vermilion's defense forced a three-and-out and two fourth-down stops in the quarter. The second quarter featured more defense as both teams kept both offenses in check until Vermilion's Hooks found wide receiver Joe Schaub on an 11-yard pass to go up 14-0. Just like last week, the Redskins found themselves behind multiple scores, but responded to adversity. "One thing we mentioned at halftime was we thought we were moving the ball well against them," Leuthold said. "They jumped on us early and it was reminiscent of two years ago when we played here." The second half featured a flip flop of the first when after a Vermilion kickoff out of bounds, the Redskins used good field position to score. Leis hooked up with Cornell on a swing pass and he did the rest, taking it 35 yards. "Landon is a heck of an athlete," Leuthold said. "At the start of the season, he was not our starter, but he has hopped in and done a fantastic job." After forcing a three-and-out on the ensuing drive, Leis hit Martez Wilson two plays later on a 45-yard pass. This set up a tie ballgame going into the fourth quarter. "That was a marathon of a game," Vermilion coach Bill DiFucci said. "Missed goals after missed goals. A ton of great defensive plays and just two teams refusing to lose." The game then reached a crucial moment as Kuhns suffered an injury, but running back Issac Kyser ran it in from a yard out to give Vermilion a 21-14 lead in the fourth quarter. With their backs against the wall, Leis hit Miller on a 48-yard pass to set up the game-tying pass play from Cornell to Wilson, which came on 4th-and-11. "I would do anything for these guys," Cornell said. "These guys fight and claw every game and I pour my blood and sweat out for them." Vermilion hits the road to Huron (3-4, 1-1) on Friday. "This team is good enough to win the rest of their games," DiFucci said. "We will look at the film and then travel on the road looking to bounce back." Port Clinton hosts Edison (5-2, 1-0) on Friday. The win bumped the Redskins up to No. 12 in Division V Region 18 computer points. The top 12 teams in each region will make the playoffs. "It definitely is not easy to win on the road in SBC play," Leuthold said. "I told my guys to enjoy this win tonight and get some rest, as it does not get any easier in this league."Port Clinton 0 0 14 7 0 0 0 0 8 — 29Vermilion 7 7 0 7 0 0 0 0 7 — 28 V — Drake Hooks 1 run (Micah Smith kick)V — Joe Schaub 11 pass from Hooks (Smith kick)PC — Gavin Cornell 35 pass from Landon Leis (Adam Fitt kick)PC — Martez Wilson 45 pass from Leis (Fitt kick)V — Isaac Kyser 1 run (Smith Kick)PC — Wilson 9 pass from Cornell (Fitt kick)V — Aiden Saunders 20 pass from Hooks (Smith kick)PC — Christian Miller 8 pass from Leis (Cornell from Leis)