"The Catch"
Scott Jordan
"Fifty Seven Seconds Through My Eyes"
What defines an historical moment? and are the moments we deem historical really worthy of carrying that prestigious title? I can think of many events that have happened over the decades with some having more impact or relevance than others, but all were historical in one aspect or another. 9-11, The crumbling of the Berlin wall, World War II, The Challenger disaster, and so many more that have had a major impact on human history.
Sports like global politics plays an integral part in our culture and appeals to a vast audience with their own perceptions of greatness and historical relevance. No sport in the American consciousness boasts as fanatical a following as the sport of American football. Football commands a level of loyalty and support that is unparalleled to any other sport played today and one that shows no sign of decline. Nowhere is this more evident than in the tens of thousands of high school football stadiums across the United States on any given Friday night from late August through early December. I would venture to say that in each of those stadiums across America an historical or game changing moment has taken place that has ultimately altered the outcome of a contest and subsequently became a part of a high school football programs legacy and lore. There is no better example of such an event than what took place in the once sleepy little cotton mill town of Kannapolis on November 2, 1990 in front of an estimated twelve thousand fans in Memorial Stadium. An event so surreal and unlikely that even today the mere mention of it brings back a mixture of emotions in both communities of Kannapolis and Concord. Kannapolis fans revel in it, Concord fans down play it as lady luck giving the Wonders an undeserved break, but either way you can't deny it's longevity and relevance in the vast history of high school football in Cabarrus County.
The Wonders of A.L. Brown and Spiders of Concord High School have mixed it up eighty one times since 1929 in what has become known as “The Battle for the Bell” or “The Battle for Cabarrus County” Each of those eighty one games boasted it’s fair share of heroes and anti heroes on both sides. Before the infamous 1990 match up it could be argued that the player to hold the title of Bell game super hero would unanimously go to Wonder place kicker Billy “The Toe” Krimminger who knocked in the game winning twenty eight yard field goal with just under three minutes left in the 1971 contest ending a ten game losing streak by the Wonders in the storied series. Krimminger carried that title securely until November 2, 1990 when a little unknown wide out named Scott Jordan vanquished Krimminger from his lofty pedestal and who has commanded that spot unchallenged for over twenty years, but what made the actions of that little 5’8 156 lb wide out so worthy of that spot in history? For those of you living in Kannapolis or Concord who may be a member of the walking dead or living life in a cocoon allow me to bring you up to speed.
Sports like global politics plays an integral part in our culture and appeals to a vast audience with their own perceptions of greatness and historical relevance. No sport in the American consciousness boasts as fanatical a following as the sport of American football. Football commands a level of loyalty and support that is unparalleled to any other sport played today and one that shows no sign of decline. Nowhere is this more evident than in the tens of thousands of high school football stadiums across the United States on any given Friday night from late August through early December. I would venture to say that in each of those stadiums across America an historical or game changing moment has taken place that has ultimately altered the outcome of a contest and subsequently became a part of a high school football programs legacy and lore. There is no better example of such an event than what took place in the once sleepy little cotton mill town of Kannapolis on November 2, 1990 in front of an estimated twelve thousand fans in Memorial Stadium. An event so surreal and unlikely that even today the mere mention of it brings back a mixture of emotions in both communities of Kannapolis and Concord. Kannapolis fans revel in it, Concord fans down play it as lady luck giving the Wonders an undeserved break, but either way you can't deny it's longevity and relevance in the vast history of high school football in Cabarrus County.
The Wonders of A.L. Brown and Spiders of Concord High School have mixed it up eighty one times since 1929 in what has become known as “The Battle for the Bell” or “The Battle for Cabarrus County” Each of those eighty one games boasted it’s fair share of heroes and anti heroes on both sides. Before the infamous 1990 match up it could be argued that the player to hold the title of Bell game super hero would unanimously go to Wonder place kicker Billy “The Toe” Krimminger who knocked in the game winning twenty eight yard field goal with just under three minutes left in the 1971 contest ending a ten game losing streak by the Wonders in the storied series. Krimminger carried that title securely until November 2, 1990 when a little unknown wide out named Scott Jordan vanquished Krimminger from his lofty pedestal and who has commanded that spot unchallenged for over twenty years, but what made the actions of that little 5’8 156 lb wide out so worthy of that spot in history? For those of you living in Kannapolis or Concord who may be a member of the walking dead or living life in a cocoon allow me to bring you up to speed.
"The 58th Battle for the Bell"
This One Will be Remembered!!
In 1990 the A.L. Brown Wonders were the defending state AAA champions in North Carolina and were riding an impressive fifteen conference game winning streak when the Concord Spiders rolled in to Memorial Stadium for the 58th annual Battle for the Bell. The battle would once again determine the undisputed champion of the South Piedmont Conference for 1990. The meeting between the Wonders and Spiders the year before in 1989 was a nail biter which eventually came down to points obtained by the Wonders from a blocked punt by Greg Jones that officials said went out of bounds in the Spider end zone. This gave the Wonders a two point safety and a 16-14 lead they would carry on to an eventual victory, but the call was controversial to say the least especially if you are a Spider enthusiast. Fast forward to 1990 and the Spiders were hell bent on payback for what the Spider faithful believed was an outright injustice in 1989. The Wonders and Spiders engaged in a virtual slug fest in the first half of the 58th renewal which saw the Spiders take a 7-0 lead into halftime off a 95 yard touchdown run by Spider QB Kenny Robinson that gave the Spiders momentum going into the second half. All that changed on the Wonders first touching of the football in the second half after the Spiders were unable to move the ball and had to punt. Wonder return man Barry Lipscomb fielded the punt and rambled eighty one yards down the right home sideline for the Wonder score that tied the game a seven. The remainder of the third period would continue to be a slug fest with neither team able to convert when they needed to.
The fourth quarter would belong to the Spiders however, when with 5:05 left in the game the Spiders had driven from inside the shadow of their own goal line at the Spider two to just inside the Kannapolis ten. The Spiders were unable to move the ball any further after three attempts and were looking at fourth and six when Coach E.Z. Smith made a very calculated gamble to go for it on fourth and six. Concord QB Kenny Robinson caught the Wonder Lbs sleeping and hit fullback Clint Bost out of the backfield for a six yard touchdown. The sequence of game changing events in the 58th Battle for the Bell would begin on the Spiders PAT attempt which was blocked giving the Spiders a 13-7 lead over the Wonders. The Wonder fortunes would begin to unravel on the next possession when QB Maurice Blakeney threw an errant pass towards Zra Lipscomb that was picked off inside Wonder territory by Spider DB Ray Massey setting the Spiders up pretty inside the Wonder forty yard line.
The fourth quarter would belong to the Spiders however, when with 5:05 left in the game the Spiders had driven from inside the shadow of their own goal line at the Spider two to just inside the Kannapolis ten. The Spiders were unable to move the ball any further after three attempts and were looking at fourth and six when Coach E.Z. Smith made a very calculated gamble to go for it on fourth and six. Concord QB Kenny Robinson caught the Wonder Lbs sleeping and hit fullback Clint Bost out of the backfield for a six yard touchdown. The sequence of game changing events in the 58th Battle for the Bell would begin on the Spiders PAT attempt which was blocked giving the Spiders a 13-7 lead over the Wonders. The Wonder fortunes would begin to unravel on the next possession when QB Maurice Blakeney threw an errant pass towards Zra Lipscomb that was picked off inside Wonder territory by Spider DB Ray Massey setting the Spiders up pretty inside the Wonder forty yard line.
With 3:15 left in the game the ever cliché “nail in the coffin” for the Wonders was delivered by Spider QB Kenny Robinson who on a QB option keeper found a gaping hole off left tackle, and darted twenty seven yards for the Spider touchdown. The second game changing sequence of events happened on the next play when after missing the previous Spider PAT Coach E.Z. Smith made another calculated gamble that would haunt him for the remainder of his coaching career as he opted to go for a two point conversion failing to convert. The Spiders would now be in firm control of the game (Or so they thought) 19-7 with just under 2:30 left in the contest. This is where things got interesting and the game began to go South for the Spiders.
On the ensuing Spider kick off Wonder return man Steve Mcknight was unable to field the ball leaving the Wonders to start in their own territory at the Kannapolis thirty two yard line. On the first play from scrimmage Wonder quarterback Maurice Blakeney would hand the ball off to Michael Barnes who would go off left tackle for about three yards putting the ball just inside the Wonder thirty six. Coach Hardin then took a gamble of his own calling for Blakeney to send everybody deep on an all go route. Blakeney saw the Spiders line up in man coverage which was exactly what he wanted. After dropping the ball briefly on the ensuing snap, Blakeney fired the ball deep down the visitors sideline forty six yards hitting Zra Lipscomb who was being covered by a lone Spider DB. Lipscomb hauled the pass in and ran the remaining sixteen yards for the Wonder score with just under two minutes left in the contest. The Wonders now had a shot, but it was now up to the defense for an all important stand to get the ball back for the Wonders last ditch winning effort.
On the ensuing Spider kick off Wonder return man Steve Mcknight was unable to field the ball leaving the Wonders to start in their own territory at the Kannapolis thirty two yard line. On the first play from scrimmage Wonder quarterback Maurice Blakeney would hand the ball off to Michael Barnes who would go off left tackle for about three yards putting the ball just inside the Wonder thirty six. Coach Hardin then took a gamble of his own calling for Blakeney to send everybody deep on an all go route. Blakeney saw the Spiders line up in man coverage which was exactly what he wanted. After dropping the ball briefly on the ensuing snap, Blakeney fired the ball deep down the visitors sideline forty six yards hitting Zra Lipscomb who was being covered by a lone Spider DB. Lipscomb hauled the pass in and ran the remaining sixteen yards for the Wonder score with just under two minutes left in the contest. The Wonders now had a shot, but it was now up to the defense for an all important stand to get the ball back for the Wonders last ditch winning effort.
"The Catch Revisited"
Picking up action in the waning minutes of the fourth period, Wonder quarterback Maurice Blakeney misfires a pass that is intercepted by Spider defensive back Ray Massey setting the Spiders up inside Wonder territory at the forty two yard line. Three plays later Spider quarterback Kenny Robinson would break of a twenty seven yard touchdown run off left tackle to put the Spiders up after a missed two point conversion 19-7.
On the ensuing kick off the Wonders would find themselves inside their own territory at the Wonder thirty one. On the second play from scrimmage Wonder quarterback Maurice Blakeney would fire the ball down the visitor sideline forty six yards hitting Zra Lipscomb who would run the final sixteen yards in for the Wonder touchdown to bring them within six points of winning the contest.
The Wonder defense held the Spiders three times on conservative running plays as they meticulously ran time off the clock. The Wonders were forced to use their last two remaining timeouts which left them with no timeouts remaining when they regained possession of the ball. The Wonders were now fifty seven seconds and seventy yards away from history. On the first play from scrimmage Wonder QB Maurice Blakeney bobbled the snap briefly then scrambled out towards the Wonder sideline with Spider lineman David Damon and tackle Tommy Gilmore hot on his heels. Damon made a diving attempt to bring Blakeney down to no avail. Blakeney fired the ball down field forty three yards hitting wide out Scott Jordan who had found a soft spot in the Spider defense at the twenty three. Time was called to move the chains. Memorial Stadium erupted and there were no spectators in the entire stadium not on their feet. Blakeney hurried the team to the line as the clock proceeded to run with twenty one seconds left. On the next play Blakeney found the Spider Dbs playing very soft coverage and hit Barry Lipscomb out in the flat taking the ball just inside the Spider ten for the game saving first down. Had Lipscomb not made the first down there was no way the Wonders could have stopped the clock to get a play off.
Six seconds left as Blakeney hurries the Wonders to the line. As the ball is snapped there was one second showing on the clock, Blakeney took the snap and immediately scrambled towards the Wonder sideline with Spider back Houston Rodgers and interior lineman Tommy Gilmore in hot pursuit. Rodgers made a diving attempt at Blakeney’s legs tripping him up ever so slightly, but not before Blakeney was able to fire the ball to the left corner of the Wonder end zone. Waiting there between two Spider defenders was Johnny on the Spot wide out Scott Jordan. The Spider defenders tip the ball sending the ball into a spin as Jordan begins a backward fall out of bounds. As the ball comes down it falls into the out stretched hands of a very focused Jordan who had both feet in bounds as he caught and controlled the spinning ball. Wonder football history had been made, and a group of vindicated Spiders who came to Kannapolis looking for sweet revenge stood expressionless on the field as the Wonder sideline erupted and the referee’s hands went up to signal the touchdown. I guess for me what stands out most about this game is that for almost forty six minutes the Wonders could not sustain a drive long enough to score any offensive points, but in a span of two minutes and fifteen seconds they executed to perfection an offense that had been stymied for most of the game to score thirteen unanswered points in such dramatic fashion to win the game.
Six seconds left as Blakeney hurries the Wonders to the line. As the ball is snapped there was one second showing on the clock, Blakeney took the snap and immediately scrambled towards the Wonder sideline with Spider back Houston Rodgers and interior lineman Tommy Gilmore in hot pursuit. Rodgers made a diving attempt at Blakeney’s legs tripping him up ever so slightly, but not before Blakeney was able to fire the ball to the left corner of the Wonder end zone. Waiting there between two Spider defenders was Johnny on the Spot wide out Scott Jordan. The Spider defenders tip the ball sending the ball into a spin as Jordan begins a backward fall out of bounds. As the ball comes down it falls into the out stretched hands of a very focused Jordan who had both feet in bounds as he caught and controlled the spinning ball. Wonder football history had been made, and a group of vindicated Spiders who came to Kannapolis looking for sweet revenge stood expressionless on the field as the Wonder sideline erupted and the referee’s hands went up to signal the touchdown. I guess for me what stands out most about this game is that for almost forty six minutes the Wonders could not sustain a drive long enough to score any offensive points, but in a span of two minutes and fifteen seconds they executed to perfection an offense that had been stymied for most of the game to score thirteen unanswered points in such dramatic fashion to win the game.
"The Final Drive to Victory"
The video picks up as the Wonders make a crucial last stop on defense calling for their final timeout to stop the clock with 1:08 left in the game. Arguably the biggest defensive stop for the Wonders in the game giving them an opportunity to make history. On the ensuing punt Wonder return man Maurice Blakeney is unable to field the ball allowing it to roll dead at the Wonder thirty yard line. The stage was set for the best fifty seven seconds in bell game history to take place.
"Bruce Hardin Speaks After Win"
Worthy to be called historical? I think so, and so do thousands of other Wonder supporters who were either there at the stadium that night or listening to the game on the radio, or reading about it in the newspaper the following day. They all echo the same sentiments. No one single play in Wonder football history has garnered more attention or publicity than “The Catch” When I first contemplated the idea to do a feature story on this moment some twenty two years after the fact for Friday Nights in K-Town I wondered just how I would approach telling this tale. I knew I would have to speak with the man of the hour to get the full impact of the events surrounding that one play and would he be willing to share his thoughts.
As I’ve stated before Scott Jordan was a soft spoken, shy individual as described by many of his teammates and I wasn’t sure he would be willing to cooperate. Jordan who is now in his fourth year as an assistant coach for the Wonders still conveys that shy somewhat reclusive persona that made me a little apprehensive about approaching him to speak about this, but I knew without his input this story could not be told correctly. Many of his former students when asked about his willingness to discuss the historical event all echo the same response. “Coach Jordan doesn’t really talk that much about it. He will tell you if you ask him about it, but he won’t volunteer anything about it” I spoke with Coach Jordan several times in passing before I asked him if he would to tell his side of the story to Friday Nights in K-Town just to break the ice. Then on a very hot day during Mini Camp at A.L. Brown High School I finally got the nerve to ask him if he would be willing to sit down and talk with me about that historical moment in Wonder football history. His response was rather shocking. He said sure he would be glad to tell the story again.
I confided with him that I was told from many sources that he doesn’t really like talking about that event, and his response was exactly what I would have expected a shy rather withdrawn personality to convey. “It’s not that I don’t like talking about it, I just didn’t want it to become something more than what it was” Typical unselfish teammate who didn’t want to accept more of the accolades than he felt he deserved, after all it did take some extreme athletic heroics on the part of Maurice Blakeney to get that ball into Jordan’s hands twice during that miraculous three play scoring drive. In one of the more memorable, but purely unintentional fopas during the live television broadcast, Metro Channel 13 commentator Randy Whitley inadvertently referred to Jordan as Scott Rogers three times during the broadcast. Rogers played for the Wonders from 1986 to 1988. Whitley admitted later that it was a mistake he regrets deeply, but during all the excitement of the events unfolding he did not catch the mistake till after the fact and apologizes deeply for the error.
So after practice one afternoon in August I sat down with Jordan and asked him to do what I know he has done thousands of times in his lifetime since that night, and that was to take a step back in time twenty two years ago to a cold November night at Memorial Stadium, and relive fifty seven seconds that to those of us who were there seemed like an eternity. Fifty seven seconds that made history.
As I’ve stated before Scott Jordan was a soft spoken, shy individual as described by many of his teammates and I wasn’t sure he would be willing to cooperate. Jordan who is now in his fourth year as an assistant coach for the Wonders still conveys that shy somewhat reclusive persona that made me a little apprehensive about approaching him to speak about this, but I knew without his input this story could not be told correctly. Many of his former students when asked about his willingness to discuss the historical event all echo the same response. “Coach Jordan doesn’t really talk that much about it. He will tell you if you ask him about it, but he won’t volunteer anything about it” I spoke with Coach Jordan several times in passing before I asked him if he would to tell his side of the story to Friday Nights in K-Town just to break the ice. Then on a very hot day during Mini Camp at A.L. Brown High School I finally got the nerve to ask him if he would be willing to sit down and talk with me about that historical moment in Wonder football history. His response was rather shocking. He said sure he would be glad to tell the story again.
I confided with him that I was told from many sources that he doesn’t really like talking about that event, and his response was exactly what I would have expected a shy rather withdrawn personality to convey. “It’s not that I don’t like talking about it, I just didn’t want it to become something more than what it was” Typical unselfish teammate who didn’t want to accept more of the accolades than he felt he deserved, after all it did take some extreme athletic heroics on the part of Maurice Blakeney to get that ball into Jordan’s hands twice during that miraculous three play scoring drive. In one of the more memorable, but purely unintentional fopas during the live television broadcast, Metro Channel 13 commentator Randy Whitley inadvertently referred to Jordan as Scott Rogers three times during the broadcast. Rogers played for the Wonders from 1986 to 1988. Whitley admitted later that it was a mistake he regrets deeply, but during all the excitement of the events unfolding he did not catch the mistake till after the fact and apologizes deeply for the error.
So after practice one afternoon in August I sat down with Jordan and asked him to do what I know he has done thousands of times in his lifetime since that night, and that was to take a step back in time twenty two years ago to a cold November night at Memorial Stadium, and relive fifty seven seconds that to those of us who were there seemed like an eternity. Fifty seven seconds that made history.
(FIK) What were your feelings and that of the team going into halftime down 7-0 to the Spiders?
(SJ) I knew we needed to execute better. They were stuffing our run game and it was hard getting to the outside on them. Coach Hardin told us we needed to do a better job blocking on the perimeter. I guess you could say it was the first time we felt a sense of urgency. I don’t recall any of us being down or kicking each other in the locker room. I think we just felt like we didn’t play as well as we could have offensively in the first quarter, but our defense was really taking it to them. You remember it was only that one big play that turned things around for Concord so we never felt like we were out of it for a minute. We knew we needed to execute our offense better and just maintain that sense of urgency and I thought we would be fine. The defenses were playing great and neither team could run their base plays with any success because of that.
As far as adjustments made we threw the ball a little more because coach Hardin could see we were getting stuffed up front and I think maybe in that second half he took a few more chances than he normally would have. We started to see that they were giving us man free or cover one where they would man up on the number one receivers, and we just felt like they were giving us good match ups. Maurice was able to out throw the coverage as you would see later in the second half. Coach Hardin just kept telling us we needed the big play, just one big play and we were back in this thing so I guess thats what we were looking for. I know Concord had the momentum going into the second half, but once Barry broke off that punt return for the touchdown we felt like maybe things had shifted until the fourth quarter and Concord went on their run.
(FIK) Did you personally think the game was going to be as tough as it turned out to be by halftime?
(SJ) We knew it was going to be a battle because they fought us hard back in 1989, and to be perfectly honest with you Concord was loaded from the previous year. They had Dino Miller and David Damon on the defense and they were really good players defensively. We knew the game was going to be physical because Concord was very athletic up front, but we really thought with our backs we could establish the run and with that maybe come off with some play action to keep them a little off balance. We really wanted to establish the run and control the clock as much as we could to keep it out of their hands.
(FIK) As Concord began to flex their muscle in the fourth period did you or anyone else on the team feel the game was out of reach?
(SJ) No not at all. After Concord scored the second time and missed the extra point we all knew that one point could be big and could go in our favor if this thing came down to that. Our defense was playing too tough to think that Concord was ever going to go up by two scores, but some things didn’t go our way and we gave up that interception which was huge. If we could have sustained a drive before Concord scored their last touchdown I believe we could have come away with points whether it be a field goal or a touchdown.
(FIK) What were your thoughts after Kenny Robinson’s final touchdown run with 3:15 left in the game that put Concord up 19-7?
(SJ) We got to get the ball back and we got to have a stop defensively. One of my main concerns was how many timeouts we had because that was going to be important if it came down to saving time on the clock. I guess like everybody it was a little deflating, but you can’t stand there and dwell on it. You have got to go to the next play and try to make something good happen. I don’t want to say it made us roll over, but we knew we had to make something good happen quickly. I do remember a kid on the sideline grabbed his helmet and threw it and I just remember grabbing a hold of him and telling him no matter if we win or lose we are still Kannapolis and we can’t act like that. I think that incident for me made me even more focused.
I remember we all just kind of huddled around coach Hardin because coach Hardin had a rather stoic demeanor and he wasn’t going to let you know his emotions, and we just fed off him and just picked ourselves back up. I remember hearing Billy Elder and Mo telling everybody to get their heads up and lets get back out there and win this thing. I remember Mo saying “I’m gonna make a big play” Maurice was the leader of that team no question. He knew how to get you motivated and knew the right things to say to you that made you want to go out and give your best effort.
(SJ) I knew we needed to execute better. They were stuffing our run game and it was hard getting to the outside on them. Coach Hardin told us we needed to do a better job blocking on the perimeter. I guess you could say it was the first time we felt a sense of urgency. I don’t recall any of us being down or kicking each other in the locker room. I think we just felt like we didn’t play as well as we could have offensively in the first quarter, but our defense was really taking it to them. You remember it was only that one big play that turned things around for Concord so we never felt like we were out of it for a minute. We knew we needed to execute our offense better and just maintain that sense of urgency and I thought we would be fine. The defenses were playing great and neither team could run their base plays with any success because of that.
As far as adjustments made we threw the ball a little more because coach Hardin could see we were getting stuffed up front and I think maybe in that second half he took a few more chances than he normally would have. We started to see that they were giving us man free or cover one where they would man up on the number one receivers, and we just felt like they were giving us good match ups. Maurice was able to out throw the coverage as you would see later in the second half. Coach Hardin just kept telling us we needed the big play, just one big play and we were back in this thing so I guess thats what we were looking for. I know Concord had the momentum going into the second half, but once Barry broke off that punt return for the touchdown we felt like maybe things had shifted until the fourth quarter and Concord went on their run.
(FIK) Did you personally think the game was going to be as tough as it turned out to be by halftime?
(SJ) We knew it was going to be a battle because they fought us hard back in 1989, and to be perfectly honest with you Concord was loaded from the previous year. They had Dino Miller and David Damon on the defense and they were really good players defensively. We knew the game was going to be physical because Concord was very athletic up front, but we really thought with our backs we could establish the run and with that maybe come off with some play action to keep them a little off balance. We really wanted to establish the run and control the clock as much as we could to keep it out of their hands.
(FIK) As Concord began to flex their muscle in the fourth period did you or anyone else on the team feel the game was out of reach?
(SJ) No not at all. After Concord scored the second time and missed the extra point we all knew that one point could be big and could go in our favor if this thing came down to that. Our defense was playing too tough to think that Concord was ever going to go up by two scores, but some things didn’t go our way and we gave up that interception which was huge. If we could have sustained a drive before Concord scored their last touchdown I believe we could have come away with points whether it be a field goal or a touchdown.
(FIK) What were your thoughts after Kenny Robinson’s final touchdown run with 3:15 left in the game that put Concord up 19-7?
(SJ) We got to get the ball back and we got to have a stop defensively. One of my main concerns was how many timeouts we had because that was going to be important if it came down to saving time on the clock. I guess like everybody it was a little deflating, but you can’t stand there and dwell on it. You have got to go to the next play and try to make something good happen. I don’t want to say it made us roll over, but we knew we had to make something good happen quickly. I do remember a kid on the sideline grabbed his helmet and threw it and I just remember grabbing a hold of him and telling him no matter if we win or lose we are still Kannapolis and we can’t act like that. I think that incident for me made me even more focused.
I remember we all just kind of huddled around coach Hardin because coach Hardin had a rather stoic demeanor and he wasn’t going to let you know his emotions, and we just fed off him and just picked ourselves back up. I remember hearing Billy Elder and Mo telling everybody to get their heads up and lets get back out there and win this thing. I remember Mo saying “I’m gonna make a big play” Maurice was the leader of that team no question. He knew how to get you motivated and knew the right things to say to you that made you want to go out and give your best effort.
(FIK) Take us through the play that Zra Lipscomb made his touchdown catch to put the Wonders back in position to possibly win the game?
(SJ) That was our green formation with our twins personnel. They were in a twins formation and I was on the back side of the play. My job was to get behind the safety to stop them from coming over the top of the play on the go route. Zra just out ran his man and Maurice threw the ball perfectly. If you look at it on the video it almost looked like the ball went over the lights. Concord was in man coverage and Zra made a good move on the defender to elude the tackle and make the score. That was big that he made the touchdown on that play because if he doesn’t then we are taking more time off the clock to try and run it in and Concord could have basically run out the clock on us from that point.
(FIK) What were your thoughts after Zra Lipscomb scored on the long pass from Maurice Blakeney?
(SJ) I was happy, but I knew it wasn’t over. I remember running up to Zra and congratulating him, but as soon as I did the realization hit me that we were still down one score and this thing wasn’t over. We had to make a defensive stand on Concord’s last offensive series to get the ball back. That was all we wanted was at least a chance to win this thing. It seemed like everything began to slow down after that score. The defensive stand seemed to take forever I guess because the clock was running and every second that ticked off was one less second we had to win the game it just seemed to go on and on during that time.
(FIK) How did the first 43 yard pass reception evolve that put you deep into Spider territory?
(SJ) We knew there was no room for error on that drive and it had to be quick. Things were not as scripted then as they are now in certain situations, but we knew we were going to be in two minute mode with our green personnel and we were going to be in the shotgun for all three routes depending on their coverage. We practiced two minute situations in practice so we were use to running it now it was the real thing and we just had to stay focused and execute.
I remember on that play there was a guy in front of me and I saw their outside linebacker had gone over to his hook or a flat area. I had beaten the corner back and the safety was coming over the top so as the safety came over I just kind of sat down in an open spot behind the outside linebacker, and if I remember correctly he was just inches from tipping that football when Mo threw it. I remember the timing of the play was off because Mo had gotten flushed out of the pocket by one of the interior linemen and was running in the direction of his non throwing hand. Coach Hardin always told us if the QB is getting flushed to come up and look for a soft spot in the zone which was what I did. Looking back now the two things I wish I had done were either try to break the tackle and try for the score or get out of bounds.
The next play we only had two options as far as routes and that was to run an all go or two fades and two flats. I was trying to get coach Hardins attention as to whether we were going to down the ball or run a play. The whole time I’m thinking about this clock that’s running and we have got to move quickly. Coach Hardin opted to go two fades and two flats with Maurice hitting Barry in the flats thirteen yards for the first down. That was the defining moment in that drive. Had Barry not made the first down we couldn’t have run another play and the game is over. I don’t think that play gets enough credit as it should because of the next play, but that catch doesn’t happen without Barry getting that first down. I talk to Barry a lot we are good friends even though he is coaching over at Concord now. (Laughing)
On that particular play Barry was the primary receiver because of where the ball lined up on the hash. Their linebackers and defensive backs were all in a prevent formation which left that side of the field wide open for Barry to make good yardage if he got the ball. I remember Barry fighting to get that first down I think that spoke volumes of how much we wanted that win or at least the opportunity to win.
(SJ) That was our green formation with our twins personnel. They were in a twins formation and I was on the back side of the play. My job was to get behind the safety to stop them from coming over the top of the play on the go route. Zra just out ran his man and Maurice threw the ball perfectly. If you look at it on the video it almost looked like the ball went over the lights. Concord was in man coverage and Zra made a good move on the defender to elude the tackle and make the score. That was big that he made the touchdown on that play because if he doesn’t then we are taking more time off the clock to try and run it in and Concord could have basically run out the clock on us from that point.
(FIK) What were your thoughts after Zra Lipscomb scored on the long pass from Maurice Blakeney?
(SJ) I was happy, but I knew it wasn’t over. I remember running up to Zra and congratulating him, but as soon as I did the realization hit me that we were still down one score and this thing wasn’t over. We had to make a defensive stand on Concord’s last offensive series to get the ball back. That was all we wanted was at least a chance to win this thing. It seemed like everything began to slow down after that score. The defensive stand seemed to take forever I guess because the clock was running and every second that ticked off was one less second we had to win the game it just seemed to go on and on during that time.
(FIK) How did the first 43 yard pass reception evolve that put you deep into Spider territory?
(SJ) We knew there was no room for error on that drive and it had to be quick. Things were not as scripted then as they are now in certain situations, but we knew we were going to be in two minute mode with our green personnel and we were going to be in the shotgun for all three routes depending on their coverage. We practiced two minute situations in practice so we were use to running it now it was the real thing and we just had to stay focused and execute.
I remember on that play there was a guy in front of me and I saw their outside linebacker had gone over to his hook or a flat area. I had beaten the corner back and the safety was coming over the top so as the safety came over I just kind of sat down in an open spot behind the outside linebacker, and if I remember correctly he was just inches from tipping that football when Mo threw it. I remember the timing of the play was off because Mo had gotten flushed out of the pocket by one of the interior linemen and was running in the direction of his non throwing hand. Coach Hardin always told us if the QB is getting flushed to come up and look for a soft spot in the zone which was what I did. Looking back now the two things I wish I had done were either try to break the tackle and try for the score or get out of bounds.
The next play we only had two options as far as routes and that was to run an all go or two fades and two flats. I was trying to get coach Hardins attention as to whether we were going to down the ball or run a play. The whole time I’m thinking about this clock that’s running and we have got to move quickly. Coach Hardin opted to go two fades and two flats with Maurice hitting Barry in the flats thirteen yards for the first down. That was the defining moment in that drive. Had Barry not made the first down we couldn’t have run another play and the game is over. I don’t think that play gets enough credit as it should because of the next play, but that catch doesn’t happen without Barry getting that first down. I talk to Barry a lot we are good friends even though he is coaching over at Concord now. (Laughing)
On that particular play Barry was the primary receiver because of where the ball lined up on the hash. Their linebackers and defensive backs were all in a prevent formation which left that side of the field wide open for Barry to make good yardage if he got the ball. I remember Barry fighting to get that first down I think that spoke volumes of how much we wanted that win or at least the opportunity to win.
(FIK) Tell us about the final touchdown catch and how it transpired?
(SJ) From my perspective the game took an eternity to play from that point. It was almost as if everything was running in slow motion. I know that sounds strange because of the sense of urgency we had to get back on the line of scrimmage and get the ball snapped, but it just seemed to move very slow for me. We all knew going back to the line that we had to get in the end zone so it was just an all go and get in the end zone somehow. We were in a spread set formation and like the play before it where the number two receiver is going out to the flats instead it went vertical which meant all four receivers were in the end zone. If you look at the video and I’m not sure if you can see it, I was in the front of the end zone when Maurice got flushed out of the pocket and again he was scrambling out in the direction of his non throwing hand. The front of the play was designed for all of us to be in a certain place in the end zone, but when Maurice got flushed out of the pocket it in reality became a game of back yard football from that point.
I was hoping when the play started the ball would get thrown on time and as any athlete would tell you if you get the chance in a game to be the goat or the hero you definitely want the ball. When I got in the end zone there was pretty decent coverage happening and as I saw Maurice getting flushed I just tried to work my way behind the defenders who were around me and just get into a position where I could possibly make a play. I don’t know how Maurice was able to get that ball off with as much touch as he did. When the ball left Mo’s hands everything began to happen as if it were in slow motion. I couldn’t hear any noise or see anybody around me. All I saw was the ball get tipped and then it start spinning.
The defenders that were in front of me were much taller so I could see their hands touching the ball. Once the ball was tipped I don’t know I just focused as hard as I could on tracking the ball. We did this in tip drills, but you can never simulate what a real life scenario is going to be like until it happens. I just remembered doing what I had been told to do by coach Lambeth and that was track the ball. I remember tracking the ball from it’s highest point to where it was in my hand while trying to be conscious of where my feet were in relation to the sideline. I thought my feet would be in bounds, but I knew as I was catching the ball that this was going to be the referees decision. I remember as the ball reached my hands just grasping the ball as best I could and hope that I was in bounds.
(FIK) What was going through your mind after you realized you had scored the winning touchdown?
(SJ) I didn’t even see the official after the play was over. I remember Billy Elder was the one who signaled touchdown to me. I remember seeing him jumping up and down as I was trying to get up. The next thing I remember was just a big dog pile in the corner of the end zone. To be honest with you When I got up I was somehow thinking in my mind “We need to kick the extra point” and then it was just a slow realization that we had won the game by one point because of Concord’s missed PAT earlier. There was so much celebration going on in the end zone it’s really hard to explain the feeling. Teammates were there, fans were there, coaches were there, it was just a great big celebration. I don’t want to sound cliché but it was the most exciting moment I had ever experienced playing sports and it’s impossible to relay the magnitude of the feeling to someone if they weren’t there to experience it for themselves.
(FIK) At what point in time did you fully realize what an iconic moment you had been a part of?
(SJ) I don’t think it really set in until I saw my father. He was just so emotional after the game after all he’s a die hard Wonder fan. I remember him hugging me and saying “They will remember this and talk about this ten years from now” You know I don’t think I really had a full grasp of the importance of that moment until I came back to Kannapolis from college one year and somebody stopped me on the street and said “You know I was at that game when you caught that pass” and for them to still be thinking about that and talking about that made me feel really good. Its very special to me now. I know you’ve heard people say I don’t really like talking about that moment and it’s not that I don’t like discussing it, I’m really just uneasy about putting myself in the limelight and accepting more of the glory than I believe I deserve. There were so many heroes in that game who get forgotten because of that one play. Zra Lipscomb, Barry Lipscomb, The offensive line and of course Mo. All those people were as much a part of that play as I was. I was just fortunate enough to make the catch, but believe me that was a team moment in every sense of the word.
(FIK) I guess you realize that football should have made it’s way into the trophy case don’t you?
(SJ) (Laughing) I don’t know if they ever found that football. I probably should have held on to it, but the excitement was just too much that I really didn’t think about it. Yea, I probably should have held on to it! (laughing) Coach Buckwell actually grabbed me after the game and told me he would get me that football. I still haven’t seen it! (Laughing)
(SJ) From my perspective the game took an eternity to play from that point. It was almost as if everything was running in slow motion. I know that sounds strange because of the sense of urgency we had to get back on the line of scrimmage and get the ball snapped, but it just seemed to move very slow for me. We all knew going back to the line that we had to get in the end zone so it was just an all go and get in the end zone somehow. We were in a spread set formation and like the play before it where the number two receiver is going out to the flats instead it went vertical which meant all four receivers were in the end zone. If you look at the video and I’m not sure if you can see it, I was in the front of the end zone when Maurice got flushed out of the pocket and again he was scrambling out in the direction of his non throwing hand. The front of the play was designed for all of us to be in a certain place in the end zone, but when Maurice got flushed out of the pocket it in reality became a game of back yard football from that point.
I was hoping when the play started the ball would get thrown on time and as any athlete would tell you if you get the chance in a game to be the goat or the hero you definitely want the ball. When I got in the end zone there was pretty decent coverage happening and as I saw Maurice getting flushed I just tried to work my way behind the defenders who were around me and just get into a position where I could possibly make a play. I don’t know how Maurice was able to get that ball off with as much touch as he did. When the ball left Mo’s hands everything began to happen as if it were in slow motion. I couldn’t hear any noise or see anybody around me. All I saw was the ball get tipped and then it start spinning.
The defenders that were in front of me were much taller so I could see their hands touching the ball. Once the ball was tipped I don’t know I just focused as hard as I could on tracking the ball. We did this in tip drills, but you can never simulate what a real life scenario is going to be like until it happens. I just remembered doing what I had been told to do by coach Lambeth and that was track the ball. I remember tracking the ball from it’s highest point to where it was in my hand while trying to be conscious of where my feet were in relation to the sideline. I thought my feet would be in bounds, but I knew as I was catching the ball that this was going to be the referees decision. I remember as the ball reached my hands just grasping the ball as best I could and hope that I was in bounds.
(FIK) What was going through your mind after you realized you had scored the winning touchdown?
(SJ) I didn’t even see the official after the play was over. I remember Billy Elder was the one who signaled touchdown to me. I remember seeing him jumping up and down as I was trying to get up. The next thing I remember was just a big dog pile in the corner of the end zone. To be honest with you When I got up I was somehow thinking in my mind “We need to kick the extra point” and then it was just a slow realization that we had won the game by one point because of Concord’s missed PAT earlier. There was so much celebration going on in the end zone it’s really hard to explain the feeling. Teammates were there, fans were there, coaches were there, it was just a great big celebration. I don’t want to sound cliché but it was the most exciting moment I had ever experienced playing sports and it’s impossible to relay the magnitude of the feeling to someone if they weren’t there to experience it for themselves.
(FIK) At what point in time did you fully realize what an iconic moment you had been a part of?
(SJ) I don’t think it really set in until I saw my father. He was just so emotional after the game after all he’s a die hard Wonder fan. I remember him hugging me and saying “They will remember this and talk about this ten years from now” You know I don’t think I really had a full grasp of the importance of that moment until I came back to Kannapolis from college one year and somebody stopped me on the street and said “You know I was at that game when you caught that pass” and for them to still be thinking about that and talking about that made me feel really good. Its very special to me now. I know you’ve heard people say I don’t really like talking about that moment and it’s not that I don’t like discussing it, I’m really just uneasy about putting myself in the limelight and accepting more of the glory than I believe I deserve. There were so many heroes in that game who get forgotten because of that one play. Zra Lipscomb, Barry Lipscomb, The offensive line and of course Mo. All those people were as much a part of that play as I was. I was just fortunate enough to make the catch, but believe me that was a team moment in every sense of the word.
(FIK) I guess you realize that football should have made it’s way into the trophy case don’t you?
(SJ) (Laughing) I don’t know if they ever found that football. I probably should have held on to it, but the excitement was just too much that I really didn’t think about it. Yea, I probably should have held on to it! (laughing) Coach Buckwell actually grabbed me after the game and told me he would get me that football. I still haven’t seen it! (Laughing)
(FIK) Where do you think “The Catch” belongs in the history of Wonder football lore?
(SJ) It’s a very special moment for me being a Wonder Cause I grew up like a lot of kids today grow up wanting to put on that Green and White and be a part of this special atmosphere. I remember as a kid I wanted to be James Lott and return a punt back for a touchdown. I wanted to wear that number five on my jersey. I would go out in the back yard and pretend my shoe came off and I scored a touchdown like he did it’s something dreams are made of. I get to see that now coaching more than I ever did playing. I remember when Travis came through and I’m sure it was the same when Nick came through and it’s like that now with Kalif. There are so many great players that have come before that it’s really hard to put what I did above anything else
(FIK) Do you still feel a sense of pride in what you were a part of that night?
(SJ) Most definitely. You can’t experience something like that and it not have an impact on you. Concord came in to that game ranked and it was of course “The Battle for the Bell” It was against your biggest rival and the opportunity was there to play them again in the fourth round, but we unfortunately ran up on a great Statesville team that ended all of that (Laughing) but, yes I will always have a lot of pride in what we accomplished that night as a team and If I did something to help make that happen than we all can enjoy it together.
There have been so many great players who have been a part of that great rivalry over the years. Look at Terry Baxter, He rushed for over one hundred yards in that game all three years he played there that’s historical right there. Lance Smith and Ethan Horton all played outstanding games against Concord and never lost that‘s historical. Look at Greg Jones punt block that decided the outcome of the 1989 game that’s historical. In no way am I trying to play down what I did, but you can see there are so many more great people you could talk to who have contributed so much to the program and the history of that rivalry. I think about Colby Reid’s catch to beat Charlotte Catholic in 2008. That catch for me was just as thrilling to watch as any and it helped us beat our long time nemesis. I think at the end of the day the supporters of Wonder football will give “The Catch” the relevance they think it deserves and they will put that moment in it’s proper place in Wonder football history.
(FIK) In your own words how does Scott Jordan want that moment to be remembered?
(SJ) I would have to say that “The Catch” is just one more chapter to add to an already great history of Wonder football here in Kannapolis. The tradition we have here is something not a lot of programs can lay claim to. It is very satisfying to see these kids who make their mark on our history go to college and go on to become successful young men in our community, and become great fathers who bring their families to watch Wonder football that will carry on the tradition is what it’s all about. “The Catch” is just one chapter in the story of Wonder football and it’s very flattering to have such a special place in that chapter, but again it’s only one chapter not the whole book.
(SJ) It’s a very special moment for me being a Wonder Cause I grew up like a lot of kids today grow up wanting to put on that Green and White and be a part of this special atmosphere. I remember as a kid I wanted to be James Lott and return a punt back for a touchdown. I wanted to wear that number five on my jersey. I would go out in the back yard and pretend my shoe came off and I scored a touchdown like he did it’s something dreams are made of. I get to see that now coaching more than I ever did playing. I remember when Travis came through and I’m sure it was the same when Nick came through and it’s like that now with Kalif. There are so many great players that have come before that it’s really hard to put what I did above anything else
(FIK) Do you still feel a sense of pride in what you were a part of that night?
(SJ) Most definitely. You can’t experience something like that and it not have an impact on you. Concord came in to that game ranked and it was of course “The Battle for the Bell” It was against your biggest rival and the opportunity was there to play them again in the fourth round, but we unfortunately ran up on a great Statesville team that ended all of that (Laughing) but, yes I will always have a lot of pride in what we accomplished that night as a team and If I did something to help make that happen than we all can enjoy it together.
There have been so many great players who have been a part of that great rivalry over the years. Look at Terry Baxter, He rushed for over one hundred yards in that game all three years he played there that’s historical right there. Lance Smith and Ethan Horton all played outstanding games against Concord and never lost that‘s historical. Look at Greg Jones punt block that decided the outcome of the 1989 game that’s historical. In no way am I trying to play down what I did, but you can see there are so many more great people you could talk to who have contributed so much to the program and the history of that rivalry. I think about Colby Reid’s catch to beat Charlotte Catholic in 2008. That catch for me was just as thrilling to watch as any and it helped us beat our long time nemesis. I think at the end of the day the supporters of Wonder football will give “The Catch” the relevance they think it deserves and they will put that moment in it’s proper place in Wonder football history.
(FIK) In your own words how does Scott Jordan want that moment to be remembered?
(SJ) I would have to say that “The Catch” is just one more chapter to add to an already great history of Wonder football here in Kannapolis. The tradition we have here is something not a lot of programs can lay claim to. It is very satisfying to see these kids who make their mark on our history go to college and go on to become successful young men in our community, and become great fathers who bring their families to watch Wonder football that will carry on the tradition is what it’s all about. “The Catch” is just one chapter in the story of Wonder football and it’s very flattering to have such a special place in that chapter, but again it’s only one chapter not the whole book.
Just the way I pictured the interview would end. I had no doubt going into this interview with Jordan that he would minimize his personal part in what Wonder football has accomplished over the years. It’s not surprising that the shy, soft spoken man Jordan is would not want to immortalize himself to be something bigger than the Wonder football program is as a whole. He is right you know. We the fans will decide where the miraculous sequence of events that unfolded in the 1990 Battle for the Bell game belong in the Wonder football history book, and I believe that has been decided. Is this moment really worthy of holding that prestigious title of being labeled historical? Ask you’re self these two questions after reading this story and viewing that moment captured forever in time. If it’s not historical then why are we talking about it today? and the next time you go into Memorial Stadium and look in the corner of the West end zone ask “Why do I still see that play unfolding today as I saw it twenty two years ago?” You just answered your own question
Friday Nights in K-Town wants to personally than coach Scott Jordan for sitting down after a long hot practice session to discuss this moment for Wonder nation to enjoy. I believe the relevance of this moment is something that defines the character of our program and that of the young men who play this game in Kannapolis. Wonders are winners and no matter what the circumstances or how seemingly lost the situation may be there is no quitting in the Wonder vocabulary.
Friday Nights in K-Town wants to personally than coach Scott Jordan for sitting down after a long hot practice session to discuss this moment for Wonder nation to enjoy. I believe the relevance of this moment is something that defines the character of our program and that of the young men who play this game in Kannapolis. Wonders are winners and no matter what the circumstances or how seemingly lost the situation may be there is no quitting in the Wonder vocabulary.
Breaking Down
The Catch
A Play by Play Look at the Greatest 57 Seconds In Wonder Football History
(Typical Gap Placement in the Offensive Line)
To give you a visual idea of just how each play developed I sat down after my interview with Scott Jordan and constructed these play diagrams to give you some perception as to how each play progressed. I sat down for several hours analyzing each play and the positions of each offensive and defensive linemen at the time each play began to unfold. Above is a diagram designed to give you a better understanding of the gap placements in the offensive line in football. These diagrams are not to scale and serve only as a demonstrative exhibit of the final fifty seven seconds in the Battle for the Bell for 1990.
On the first play of that final drive in the 1990 Battle for the Bell game with Concord the Wonders were looking at marching seventy yards in fifty seven seconds to secure a miraculous come from behind victory. On the first play the Wonders lined up in a twins right formation with Scott Jordan lining up as the lone receiver on the left side facing the West end zone. As the ball was snapped Blakeney was looking first for two receivers running vertical down the right sideline. Holding firm in the pocket for just a few seconds Blakeney was forced out of the pocket as pressure came up the middle from Spider linemen David Damon who was able to shoot the B Gap between the right tackle and right guard in the offensive line. As Damon began pursuit, Spider lineman Tommy Gilmore shed his block of left guard and began pursuit from the A Gap. This flushed Blakeney out of the pocket forcing him to scramble away from his non throwing hand.
Seeing Blakeney scramble wide receiver Scott Jordan who was streaking down the left home sideline area attempted to find a soft spot in the Spider secondary. Jordan worked his way back up field and found a bubble behind two Spider defenders just inside the Kannapolis thirty yard line at the twenty eight. Blakeney fired the ball under pressure hitting Jordan just beyond Spider defenders Pat Tierney and Ray Massey. The diagram below shows the projected routes of each receiver and the bubble which Scott Jordan was able to find sanctuary.
On the first play of that final drive in the 1990 Battle for the Bell game with Concord the Wonders were looking at marching seventy yards in fifty seven seconds to secure a miraculous come from behind victory. On the first play the Wonders lined up in a twins right formation with Scott Jordan lining up as the lone receiver on the left side facing the West end zone. As the ball was snapped Blakeney was looking first for two receivers running vertical down the right sideline. Holding firm in the pocket for just a few seconds Blakeney was forced out of the pocket as pressure came up the middle from Spider linemen David Damon who was able to shoot the B Gap between the right tackle and right guard in the offensive line. As Damon began pursuit, Spider lineman Tommy Gilmore shed his block of left guard and began pursuit from the A Gap. This flushed Blakeney out of the pocket forcing him to scramble away from his non throwing hand.
Seeing Blakeney scramble wide receiver Scott Jordan who was streaking down the left home sideline area attempted to find a soft spot in the Spider secondary. Jordan worked his way back up field and found a bubble behind two Spider defenders just inside the Kannapolis thirty yard line at the twenty eight. Blakeney fired the ball under pressure hitting Jordan just beyond Spider defenders Pat Tierney and Ray Massey. The diagram below shows the projected routes of each receiver and the bubble which Scott Jordan was able to find sanctuary.
Getting the first down the clock stopped just in time for the Wonders to hurry back down field to get set for the next play. According to Jordan the call would come after the Wonder coaching staff could see what type of coverage the Spiders were showing. The Spiders showed a full prevent defense with the linebackers playing very soft . Quarterback Maurice Blakeney fired the ball into the right flat to a wide open Barry Lipscomb. Seeing Lipscomb make the cut to the flats Spider linebacker Houston Rodgers bit on Lipscomb's move out to the flat and gave pursuit while two Spider defensive backs closed the gap just inside the Wonder ten yard line. Lipscomb was able to get the first down which allowed the clock to stop once more to get the ball spotted. The diagram below shows the prevent coverage and Spider linebacker #44 Houston Rodgers position in relation to Lipscomb at the time the ball was thrown.
On the final play the Wonders were just able to get set before clock began to wind down with six seconds remaining on the clock. Something odd I noticed while breaking down the game film was that on the previous two plays the Spider interior linemen all lined up in their assigned gap responsibilities, however on the final play three Spider defenders lined up directly in front of their man over left tackle, left guard and center with the right tackle splitting the B gap between right guard and right tackle leaving one Spider linebacker in charge of taking responsibility of the right guard. This could have been due to the speed of the developing formation or miscommunication with the Spider defenders while lining up.
As the ball was snapped, Blakeney was pressured almost immediately as Spider linebacker Houston Rodgers waited just a few seconds for his two front interior linemen to create a window in the B gap between the left guard and the left tackle for him to shoot through. As Blakeney scrambled once again in the direction of his non throwing hand Spider tackle Tommy Gilmore once again shed his block off left tackle and began pursuit of Blakeney from the C Gap.
Spider Dbs seeing this immediately began pursuit towards the left corner of the end zone leaving two Wonder receivers unattended on the right side of the Wonder end zone. As Spider linebacker Houston Rodgers made a diving lunge at Blakeney’s legs. Blakeney fired the ball Towards wide receiver Scott Jordan who was standing in the company of two Spider defenders. Both defenders tipped the ball with Jordan. As Jordan began to fall out of bounds Jordan was able to secure the ball firmly with only his feet staying in the field of play. The diagram below shows the flow of the play as Blakeney was forced to scramble again towards his non throwing hand. It seems almost everyone had converged towards the left side of the end zone when the ball was thrown.
As the ball was snapped, Blakeney was pressured almost immediately as Spider linebacker Houston Rodgers waited just a few seconds for his two front interior linemen to create a window in the B gap between the left guard and the left tackle for him to shoot through. As Blakeney scrambled once again in the direction of his non throwing hand Spider tackle Tommy Gilmore once again shed his block off left tackle and began pursuit of Blakeney from the C Gap.
Spider Dbs seeing this immediately began pursuit towards the left corner of the end zone leaving two Wonder receivers unattended on the right side of the Wonder end zone. As Spider linebacker Houston Rodgers made a diving lunge at Blakeney’s legs. Blakeney fired the ball Towards wide receiver Scott Jordan who was standing in the company of two Spider defenders. Both defenders tipped the ball with Jordan. As Jordan began to fall out of bounds Jordan was able to secure the ball firmly with only his feet staying in the field of play. The diagram below shows the flow of the play as Blakeney was forced to scramble again towards his non throwing hand. It seems almost everyone had converged towards the left side of the end zone when the ball was thrown.
**The above play diagrams were completed after careful review of the game video and information obtained from my interview with Scott Jordan. The actual positions of some of the Spider secondary personnel is completely speculative. This is as close to accurate as I could replicate.**
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