Football: Rich East Stuns Rich Central on Hail Mary Play

Breaking It Down: Trailing 29-27 with 63 yards to go and only 30 seconds left in Saturday’s game against , Rich East was running out of hope. Rockets quarterback Malcolm Miller took the third-and-10 snap and scrambled to his left. The play looked to be broken, but running back Rondell Willingham escaped from the line of scrimmage unchecked for a wide-open look. Willingham hauled in Miller’s pass and ran for the game-winning score with the Rich Central defense chasing hopelessly from behind.

The touchdown and extra point gave Rich East a dramatic 35-29 victory over its Southland Conference rival.

Prior to the final score, Rich Central took the lead on a 12-yard touchdown run from James Thigpen midway through the fourth quarter. Rich Central aired it out for most of the game behind stellar play from quarterback Devonte Black and wide receiver Shawn Mitchell Jr. 

But the Olympians couldn’t recover after fumbling twice deep in Rockets territory, including one at the 1-yard line as they appeared to be going in for a score.

Rich East overcame two interceptions by Miller, as they stayed committed to the run. Four different Rockets ran for more than 40 yards apiece.  

Patch’s MVP: Along with his game-winning 63-yard touchdown reception, Rich East running back Rondell Willingham added 111 yards on the ground on 23 carries.  He scored a first-half touchdown on a 2-yard plow in between the tackles.

Rich East Stat Pack: Quarterback Malcolm Miller didn’t have much working for him in the passing game until the final play. Miller finished 3-for-10 for 78 yards and two touchdowns. He added 44 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Defensive lineman Anthony Perkins registered three sacks for the Rockets, including one on the last play from scrimmage to end the game.

Rich Central Stat Pack: QB Devonte Black (13-for-20, 256 yards, 2 touchdowns) repeatedly connected with WR Shawn Mitchell Jr.  Mitchell ran wild in the Rockets secondary, showing off his speed and hands in traffic. Mitchell finished with 167 yards and two TDs on seven receptions.

Quotable I: Rich Central head coach Terrell Alexander on the heartbreaking loss: “We came here together and we’re going to leave here together. We’re still in (the playoff hunt).”

Quotable II: Rich East coach Barry Reade: “We never gave up, even after we turned it over. We hung our heads for a minute, but we never quit, and that’s a credit to our young men.”

Team Records: Rich East improves to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in Southland Conference play. Rich Central falls to 2-3 overall, 1-1 in conference play.

What’s Next: Rich Central hosts Rich South Friday, Sept. 30. Rich East celebrates homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 1, against Kankakee.