Lightning struck twice prior to kickoff, delaying the Absegami High School football game with Atlantic City on Sept. 23 for more than an hour.
However, the Braves' offense was only able to strike once in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter during a 32-27 loss to the Vikings.
“They did the better job,” said Absegami running back Tyler Bing, who had 236 total yards. “They didn’t turn the ball over (after the first fumble in the opening minutes).”
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Absegami found itself down by two touchdowns twice in the fourth quarter, including with three minutes left in the game. The Braves needed just one play as sophomore quarterback Rashad Kinlaw and Bing teamed up for a 65-yard touchdown.
“I ran a wheel (route) and it was open,” Bing said. “They didn’t have it covered and I was able to beat the corner and the safety; touchdown.”
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Atlantic City recovered the ensuing onside kick, but was forced to punt, giving the Braves one last chance. Kinlaw found wideout Reinaldo Delgado for a 13-yard gain to the 45-yard line. Kinlaw’s desperation heave was intercepted by Radi Tolbert, who also did plenty of damage for the Vikings' offense as well.
Atlantic City took its first lead in the second quarter as Tolbert scored from 2 yards out, giving the Vikings a 7-7 lead at halftime, which they never relinquished despite the 47 second-half points scored.
Absegami tried to rally in the fourth quarter, getting back within a touchdown, scoring on an eight-play drive that took 1:53 to reach the end zone. Kinlaw found Bing in the middle of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown pass. The play that set up the score was a 16-yard pass to Delgado with two Atlantic City personal foul penalties tacked on to give Absegami the ball on the 13-yard line.
Atlantic City put the game out of reach converting another second half turnover by Absegami into points.
Ahmaad Williams returned a Braves’ fumble 27 yards down to the Absegami 13. Three plays later Atlantic City quarterback Kabir McCoy scored on a 5-yard run. McCoy’s extra point put the Vikings on top by 14.
Absegami opened the second half with the ball, but it was the Vikings who came up with the first big play, recovering a bad snap that flew over Kinlaw’s head.
Domaneek Hurd recovered the ball at the Braves' 11-yard line. Atlantic City scored six plays later, as the fullback plunged in for a 1-yard touchdown score. The extra point attempt hit high on the left goalpost and back into the end zone to keep the score at 13-7.
The Braves needed just seven plays and 3:02 to cut the Atlantic City lead to 13-12. Kinlaw had a 29-yard run on the drive before finding Bing on a 22-yard screen pass for the touchdown to cap the 80-yard drive.
Absegami opened the scoring early in the second quarter on their second possession, finding the end zone with a four-play drive that went 90 yards.
It didn't take long for the Braves to get away from the shadow of the goalpost, as Bing raced 87 yards through the middle of the Vikings' defense, and was finally caught from behind at Atlantic City's 3-yard line.
After negative runs on the next two plays, Kinlaw rolled to his right before spotting Sampson Jenkins in the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown and a 6-0 lead. It was the last time the Braves would lead in the game.
