Lions win on last-minute miracle
Posted: Friday, September 7, 2012 11:00 pm | Updated: 7:54 pm, Sat Sep 8, 2012.
Posted on September 7, 2012
MORRISVILLE — New Hope-Solebury and Morrisville were tied with under a minute to play on Friday night, but the advantage belonged to the Bulldogs.Morrisville had a second down from the New Hope 1-yard line.
Even with a false start penalty, the Bulldogs were on the Lions’ 6. A touchdown or field goal would be enough to win the game.
Then the unthinkable happened.
Morrisville quarterback Zach McIntyre, who’d played well, rolled to his left under pressure from Taylor Heiniman. McIntyre’s pass landed right in the arms of New Hope senior middle linebacker Cody Foy, who ran 91 yards down the sideline for the go-ahead touchdown with 18.8 ticks on the clock.
New Hope prevailed, 21-14.
“The ball came out wobbly. I caught the ball and started running,” Foy said. “I looked back a couple of times and passed out in the end zone.”
“I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old and never got a touchdown. I can’t take all the credit. Credit goes to the defense.”
As exciting a win as it was for the Lions (1-1 overall, 1-0 Bicentennial Athletic League), it was an equally depressing loss for the Bulldogs.
“I’ve coached 19 years and have never been a part of anything like this,” said Morrisville coach Bill Quill. “Zach has done a great job, and he’ll start the next game for us. He’s a captain and a leader.
“We’ll come back Monday and get to work. I think this can build character.”
Morrisville (1-1, 0-1 BAL) owned a 14-7 lead at halftime, thanks to Jimmie Miller’s 32-yard touchdown run and 95-yard kick return for a score.
New Hope’s points came on a 2-yard TD run by quarterback Connor Hayden.
A 30-minute lightning delay preceded the start of the third quarter.
Hayden’s 11-yard touchdown run with 4:45 remaining in regulation tied the score and set up the dramatic finish.
Miller rushed 18 times for 171 yards. He looked at the bright side afterward.
“It’s very tough, but we did as much as we can. We played our hearts out. We can’t do anything but that,” he said.
New Hope’s offensive standout was Hayden, a junior who threw for 91 yards and rushed for a team-high 73 yards and two scores.
“He’s a smart kid. He’s got a will,” said coach Jim DiTulio. “He’s not real big, but he’s a tough kid. He has to go both ways for us this year. I’m proud of him.”
DiTulio said he told the Lions at halftime that they needed to win each possession. They allowed Morrisville to go 84 yards on eight plays in the final minutes, but Foy’s interception on the ninth play won them the possession and the game.
“We put some pressure on and forced them to throw the ball. Unbelievable. Just unbelievable,” DiTulio said. “To come away with the win is good for our team morale.”
Then the unthinkable happened.
Morrisville quarterback Zach McIntyre, who’d played well, rolled to his left under pressure from Taylor Heiniman. McIntyre’s pass landed right in the arms of New Hope senior middle linebacker Cody Foy, who ran 91 yards down the sideline for the go-ahead touchdown with 18.8 ticks on the clock.
New Hope prevailed, 21-14.
“The ball came out wobbly. I caught the ball and started running,” Foy said. “I looked back a couple of times and passed out in the end zone.”
“I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old and never got a touchdown. I can’t take all the credit. Credit goes to the defense.”
As exciting a win as it was for the Lions (1-1 overall, 1-0 Bicentennial Athletic League), it was an equally depressing loss for the Bulldogs.
“I’ve coached 19 years and have never been a part of anything like this,” said Morrisville coach Bill Quill. “Zach has done a great job, and he’ll start the next game for us. He’s a captain and a leader.
“We’ll come back Monday and get to work. I think this can build character.”
Morrisville (1-1, 0-1 BAL) owned a 14-7 lead at halftime, thanks to Jimmie Miller’s 32-yard touchdown run and 95-yard kick return for a score.
New Hope’s points came on a 2-yard TD run by quarterback Connor Hayden.
A 30-minute lightning delay preceded the start of the third quarter.
Hayden’s 11-yard touchdown run with 4:45 remaining in regulation tied the score and set up the dramatic finish.
Miller rushed 18 times for 171 yards. He looked at the bright side afterward.
“It’s very tough, but we did as much as we can. We played our hearts out. We can’t do anything but that,” he said.
New Hope’s offensive standout was Hayden, a junior who threw for 91 yards and rushed for a team-high 73 yards and two scores.
“He’s a smart kid. He’s got a will,” said coach Jim DiTulio. “He’s not real big, but he’s a tough kid. He has to go both ways for us this year. I’m proud of him.”
DiTulio said he told the Lions at halftime that they needed to win each possession. They allowed Morrisville to go 84 yards on eight plays in the final minutes, but Foy’s interception on the ninth play won them the possession and the game.
“We put some pressure on and forced them to throw the ball. Unbelievable. Just unbelievable,” DiTulio said. “To come away with the win is good for our team morale.”
10 comments:
Should have Kicked a Field Goal.
We're proud of you Bulldogs no matter what!!!!
Yes we are. Field goal? I dunno. Ask Penn State about that. They missed 4 yesterday, and an extra point. I would have given Jimmie Miller one more handoff to punch it in. He was having a great game. Tough loss. I think this team will open some eyes this year.
Great game. Tough ending.
great home opening night, very hot but good time had by all despite the loss, they played hard and good
This is the real heartbreaker...Prayers to the Pattley family.
Matthew Robert Pattley MORRISVILLE, PA - Matthew Robert Pattley, 23, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012, at his home. Born in Trenton, NJ, Matt was a lifelong Morrisville, PA, resident. He graduated from Morrisville High School in 2007 and attended York College of Pennsylvania. Matt was a member of the Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity. He loved music and played the bass guitar. Matt was currently serving in the Pennsylvania National Guard as a specialist 19D cavalry scout, with C-TRP 1-104th Cavalry, 28th ID PAARNG. Matt is survived by his loving parents, Thomas J. Pattley Jr. and Kimberly A. (Warburton) Pattley of Morrisville, PA; two brothers, Thomas J. Pattley III of Philadelphia and Daniel A. Pattley of Chicago, IL; his paternal grandmother, Susan Payne and her husband, William, of Sarasota, FL; his paternal grandfather, Thomas J. Pattley Sr. and his wife, Renee, of Yardley, PA; maternal grandparents, Lois and Dennis Warburton of Morrisville, PA; five very special cousins, Amanda, Jennifer, Tom, Katie, and Joe; aunts and uncles, Karen and Jules Franks, Linda and Tom Lipski, Laura Maloney, and Scott and Mary Pattley, and many friends. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Morrisville Presbyterian Church, 771 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Morrisville, PA. Chaplain Doug Knepp will officiate, and The Rev. R. Vincent Gartland will be in attendance. Interment will follow in Newtown Cemetery. Friends may call Monday evening from 6-9 p.m. at the J. Allen Hooper Funeral Chapel, 41 W. Trenton Ave., Morrisville, PA, and on Tuesday morning from 10-11 a.m. in the Morrisville Presbyterian Church Lounge. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Matthew's name may be made to The Soldier Project, www.thesoldiersproject.org, or mail donations to The Soldiers Project, (National Office) 4605 Lankershim Blvd., Suite 221, North Hollywood, CA 91602, or to The Soldiers Project PA, c/o Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, PA 19118.
Tragic beyond words.
what a tribute to Matt Pattley tonight at the viewing. So many people, so many broken hearts, so much love and respect shown to the family
When he shall die take him and cut him out into stars and he shall make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun.
God Bless You, Matthew Pattley.
Rest In Peace Matt Pattley. Prayers to Matt's family and friends. So many people came to pay their respects Monday night and Tuesday. The service at the church was beautiful. His brother Dan shared with us good memories. His brother TJ reminded us that life is short, you don't always have the opportunity to say good bye. So make use of the time you have and reach out to your loved ones and friends and let them know you are there and that you care. I have never seen so many young men cry so openly in front of everyone. So many people hurting from this loss. This has reminded me to make sure that the people in your life, especially the young ones, know that you are there whenever they need to talk. They may just need you to listen or need your help and guidance. Just be there for them. To many people leaving this earth at a young age.
I am sure that Matt is now at peace. May he reach down with his new angel wings and wrap them around his family and friends so that they can feel his comfort.
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