A Wild Win for Centennial over Roswell

In a game decided in the final seconds, crosstown rivals Roswell (0-6) and Centennial (3-4) kept fans breathless as the Knights edged the Hornets 32-30 Friday night.

In a series of onside kicks, great plays and costly penalties, Centennial left Hornets fans stunned and Roswell will have to wait yet another week for its first win of the season. 

The Hornets, determined to make a statement in this rivalry game, struck first with a touchdown pass from Ryan Monty to Bennett Barton and Roswell took an early 7-0 lead with 6:32 left in the first quarter. 

Not to be outdone, Centennial quarterback Jimmy Meyer orchestrated a 90-yard drive, capping it off with a 1-yard touchdown run to even the score at 7-7 with 9:33 left in the first half. 

The momentum stayed with the Knights through the second quarter and included a 74-yard drive with two key plays that led Centennial to another touchdown.

Meyer threw a 35-yard pass to to senior wide receiver Wade Francis, followed by a 29-yard run by senior running back Zietrick Smith that left the Knights on the Roswell 1-yard line. Meyer pushed into the end zone for his second touchdown. After a missed extra-point attempt, Centennial pulled ahead 13-7 with four minutes left in the first half.

Roswell, determined to rid itself of its winless start to the 2011 season, was not to be denied on its final drive of the first half. Senior quarterback Casey Culver replaced Monty for the drive (and much of the game) and got it started off right with a 40-yard pass to junior Bernie Arowoselu. Culver led Roswell on a 10 play, 74-yard drive that took 3:54 seconds off the clock. On the 1-yard line, Culver powered the Hornets into the end zone for a touchdown. After the extra point, Roswell had taken the lead 14-13.

Roswell would take the lead and momentum into the lockeroom at the half. However, it wouldn't last long. 

Centennial came out of the locker room with newfound energy and got the second half started off with a bang.

After a 33-yard kickoff return, Meyer threw a 68-yard bomb to Francis for a touchdown. Suddenly, the Hornets fans grew quiet. Their struggling team was suddenly down by 6 and their defense couldn't contain Meyer's passing game. 

Not to be denied, Culver drove the Hornets down the field, capping the drive off with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Arowoselu to retake the lead at 21-20. The back-and-forth game between these rivals showed no signs of slowing down as the second half continued. 

The Knights continued to pummel the Hornets defense with their passing game as Meyer put his team in prime position for another touchdown after a 33-yard pass to Francis. The Hornets defense stepped up, denying Centennial's quest for the end zone. Settling for the field goal, the Knights retook the lead, 23-21 with 6:09 left in the third quarter.

Adding to the suspense, the Hornets were also denied a chance at the end zone during their subsequent drive, leading to a 41-yard field goal and again taking a 1-point lead over the Knights. 

After seeing their defense struggle against the Knights' passing game, the Hornets' defense stepped up and intercepted Meyer's pass with 2:08 left in the third quarter. On their ensuing drive, senior Jonathon Harrigan rushed for a 54-yard touchdown run, putting the Hornets in the driver's seat, up 30-23 with 27 seconds left in the third quarter. 

Later, the unbelievable happened. 

Roswell, poised for its first win of the season, saw victory snatched away, leaving the team, coaches, students and fans stunned. 

Roswell's defense looked to have the Knights contained. Jimmy Meyer was sacked with 2:36 left and Centennial was facing a fourth down and long. On the next play, Meyer heaved the ball through the air and the pass was incomplete, but out popped a flag. The pass interference call gave the Knights a first down and put them in Roswell territory with the clock ticking. The Knights drive was relentless and got it down to the 1-yard line. Jimmy Meyer, looking to be a hero for the Knights, pushed his way into the end zone for the score.

It was 30-29 and only 31 seconds were left in the game. 

After using all three of their timeouts, the Knights were ready for the two-point conversion. It was no good. The Hornets appeared to be on the verge of victory.

That was until the Knights decided to try an onside kick. 

Everyone in the stands was on their feet as Centennial lined up for the kick. The ball flew through the air and landed in the hands of a Centennial player on the Roswell 33-yard line.

Roswell's 1-point lead was in jeopardy. No timeouts remained for the Knights, but they were in business. After multiple penalties against Roswell, including a very costly pass interference call, Centennial had reached field-goal distance. With 8 seconds remaining, Meyer spiked the ball, stopping the clock and the field goal unit hit the field. With one snap and one kick, Centennial kicker Connor Davis gave Centennial the lead, 32-30 with only three seconds remaining.

The Hornets will try to snap their 0-6 start at Alpharetta next Friday, while the Knights will take their victory home to face North Forsyth. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.