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O-A stuns Pembroke in final seconds

By Brian Hillabush

 When Tim Smith and Brad Riner embraced just moments after the Oakfield-Alabama football team had shocked visiting Pembroke in the final seconds to wrap up the Genesee Region League title, saying it was an emotional moment would be an understatement. 

The two tearful O-A stars literally left it all on the field and scored the final points in an amazing 25-24 victory in front of an estimated 2,500 fans.

Smith's story is well known.

He literally walked off the field in the middle of a game last season and quit on his team. But his teammates welcomed him back - and it was Smith that plunged into the end zone with 29 seconds left on the clock to put the Hornets down by one point.

The coaching staff initially wanted to kick the extra point and go into overtime, especially with Smith getting banged up on the touchdown run. But the O-A players made the call to go for two, and coach John Dowd let his players decide if they were going to win the Genesee Region League championship outright on a two-point conversion.

After burning a timeout because of some confusion, the Hornets lined up and gave the ball to Riner, who took a sweep to the left side of the line and dove into the end zone to give O-A the lead.

Riner wrapped up the league title (it is the first time the Hornets have won the title outright since Dowd has been coach) with an interception two plays later.

This was a typical Oakfield-Alabama/Pembroke game, a classic battle between the top two programs in the GR.

There was no smack talk on the field, no cheap shots ... nothing but a hard fought battle between two great teams.

Pembroke looked as if it was going to dominate early on as David Kleckler returned the opening kickoff 70 yards to set up an Andrew Wright 1-yard touchdown run less than a minute into the contest.

Neither team moved the ball after that in the first quarter and it was 7-0 after 12 minutes.

Wright put an end to the battle of the punters with a 41-yard run midway through the second quarter. Matthew Phelps nailed an impressive 39-yard field goal to put the Dragons up 10-0.

O-A started near midfield and quarterback A.J. Kehlenbeck rumbled for 17 yards to set up a Riner 6-yard TD run with about a minute left in the half, making the score 10-7 at the break.

After the second half started with defensive stops, Riner broke off a 16-yarder and Smith eventually scored from 3-yards out to give the Hornets a 14-10 advantage.

The Dragons seemed to have lost it at this point.

Three consecutive conservative rushing calls set up a fourth-and-8 at the Pembroke 30-yard line.

But Kleckler scrambled around for a little bit and launched a pass into the end zone, which was hauled in by Jacob Reeves. It is just the second reception he's had all season long.

Pembroke carried the 17-14 lead into the fourth.

Oakfield-Alabama's power rushing attack led to a 7-plus minute drive that allowed the score to be tied up when Jon Fisher kicked a 24-yard field goal.

On the ensuing drive, Kleckler scrambled for 32 yards and Mike Dibble rumbled for 14 yards, but two penalties in three plays put Pembroke in a tough situation.

The Dragons had a third-and-17 at the Oakfield 23-yard line.

Kleckler dropped back to pass and felt the pressure from O-A's defensive lineman, but he scrambled around for a couple of seconds and found tight end Ken Babcock at about the 5-yard line. Babcock took a few steps into the end zone and the Dragons led 24-17 with 2:42 left in the game.

Smith had a long kick return to midfield and O-A's longest run on the final drive was a 12-yard scamper by Riner.

The win means Oakfield-Alabama is now 6-0 and is league champions. Pembroke falls to 5-1.

With Le Roy's victory over Caledonia-Mumford tonight, O-A is still the No. 2 seed in Class C and Pembroke is at No. 3. 

The Dragons play Attica next week.

 

Gabor Deutsch

Thanks again for great coverage hilly.
What a game and what great sportsmanship these kids showed.
My Dragons might have lost the football game but I think everyone involved or watching won a great deal.

Oct 11, 2008, 4:48am Permalink
Jane Chaddock

It was a wonderful game to watch, the sportsmanship on the team and with the fans was outstanding. Great job to both teams and GO HORNETS!!

Oct 11, 2008, 11:57am Permalink
Dave George

I was at the game. This account and photos somehow do an incredible game, one that the announcer called the best ever played on that field, justice.

Great job, Hornets, Dragons, thebatavian.

Oct 11, 2008, 1:31pm Permalink
TALEE KEHLENBECK

What an incredible game!
But let's remember that it took a whole team to win.
Every position contributed and played a part in the win.
Tim...let by gones be by gones...get past last years mistakes and move forward. There is bigger and better to focus on.
Thanks to both teams for an evening of excitement and fun!
JJ..thanks for clapping!

Oct 12, 2008, 5:28am Permalink
David Diegelman

I Only wish that I could have been at that game those Oakfield boys are my team, and my family, The youngest ones were probably on modified when I was a senior on varsity the fall of '06. I heard about the game from from my parents and older sister who were there and I recieved some updates via txt message. I am kicking myself for not finding a ride home for the three day weekend, after all it was homecoming. My senior year we lost a heartbreaker to pembroke for homecoming and this victory is sweet. Congratulations Hornets, and I hope to catch a game before this season is over. Good Luck!

And I also think that the line and the defense should have got more credit, They won as a team. In this post it makes Riner and Smith look like the only two stars, and I know on a Hornets team the whole team is a star.

Oct 13, 2008, 12:02am Permalink
Dawn Czaja

I was also there and you are correct Dave, those of us that know the Hornets well know that it takes the whole family to win like this. The Hornets on the sidelines are important too. This of course is not meant to take anything away from Brad, Tim and the rest of the boys that played. these boys are outstanding kids, on and off the playing field. Way to go .... keep it going we are all there for you.

Oct 13, 2008, 7:19pm Permalink
Abbie Riner

This was by far the best OA football game I've ever watched. Way to go OA!!

Hilly, your video and pictures capture the emotion of the game in a way that just isn't possible with text. And, I love being able to see the highlights online!

Oct 14, 2008, 1:32pm Permalink

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