Fermi Drops Overtime Heartbreaker

The final Homecoming football game in Fermi High School history had all the makings of an historic event Saturday.

Taking on Northwest Catholic, the hungry Falcons were determined to put an end to a 46-game losing streak which extends back to 2010, and to provide some optimism for the remainder of the school’s final season.

Despite an incredible team performance and never-say-die attitude, the Falcons came up just 12 inches short of breaking the streak, as the Indians stopped Fermi at the 1-yard line on the final play of overtime to escape with a 12-6 victory.

Playing without injured seniors Charles Fields and Keenan Robinson, Fermi seemed to be in a deep rut before the opening kickoff. However, the Falcons held tough, managing a scoreless tie at intermission.

Northwest Catholic broke the deadlock on a short touchdown pass late in the third quarter, but Fermi blocked the extra point kick, providing a spark that continued through the final period.

With about five minutes remaining, Fermi drove to the Indian 30-yard line, but turned the ball over on downs. The Falcon defense dug in and stopped Northwest cold, forcing a poor punt which gave the hosts possession at their opponents’ 39.

The Indians appeared to have stopped Fermi on a fourth-down incomplete pass, but Falcon quarterback Thomas Vella was roughed on the play, giving his team a first down. With 48 seconds remaining in regulaton time, Ian Grabowski bulled over from a yard out to even the game at 6-6.

With an extra point attempt standing Fermi and victory, the Falcons had to settle for a tie, as a high snap caused an errant kick.

Northwest nearly took home the victory on the final play of regulation, as Michael Adebimpe seemed to have caught a pass at the goal line as time expired. However, the officials ruled he did not have total possession when he hit the ground, prompting overtime.

The Indians won the coin toss and elected to take the ball first, starting at the 25 after a 15-yard personal foul penalty. On third down, Jack Manzi fired an 18-yard touchdown strike to Dan Adebimpe, but a missed conversion kick left Northwest in front, 12-6.

Fermi took possession at the 10 with four downs to find the end zone. Three runs by Grabowski gave the Falcons the ball at the 2, but on a fourth-down flare pass, he was stopped at the 1 to leave the Falcons and their fans heartbroken.

Fermi will get right back to work next Saturday in a battle of the Falcons, traveling to Avon for a 2 p.m. matchup.

Photo credits: Tim Jensen