REDBANK VALLEY 28, CLARION 21, 3 overtimes 

Sept. 26, 2008

For D9sports.com

NEW BETHLEHEM-   Jerrett Magagnotti's terrific interception in the third overtime capped an epic 28-21 win for Redbank Valley over Clarion at Redbank Valley football field Friday night.

"It was just pure reaction," Magagnotti, who knocked the ball down and then caught, said.

The game is believed to tie for the longest in District 9 history. Overtime in the regular season began in 1995, and that season two games involving District 9 teams went to three overtimes. DuBois beat Hollidaysburg 16-10 in Week One and Moniteau beat Karns City 33-26 in Week Nine. 

Alex Bladel's 2-yard touchdown run in the third overtime proved to be the deciding score.

"We just kept fighting and fighting," said Redbank head coach Brandon Rapp.  "It wasn't pretty, but we got the job done.”

The Bulldogs (5-0 overall, 5-0 KSAC) were in danger of losing the game facing a fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line in the second overtime when Rapp decided to reach deep into his playbook.

Quarterback Shiloh Buchleitner pitched the ball to Bladel, who, instead of running, found Magagnotti in the end zone on the halfback pass.  Brandon Bain's extra point sent the game to overtime No. 3.

"We thought that maybe it was something we could go to," said Rapp.  "Fourth down, everything was on the line and we thought, why not?"

After Buchleitner hit Kameron Rankin to give Redbank a 14-7 lead in the first overtime, the Bobcats (3-2, 3-2 KSAC) were faced with a first-and-goal from the 20-yard line as a result of a holding penalty.  

Freshman quarterback Brandon Heeter found Jarrod Carpin for an 11-yard completion, and, after a facemask penalty put the ball on the 4-yard line, Heeter hit Erik Hartle on a touchdown pass for Clarion's first score that coupled with Jon Kemmer’s extra point tied the game at 14.

In the second overtime, the Bobcats got the ball first and Kevin Grejda was able to punch it in from a yard out on third-and-goal to give Clarion a 21-14 lead.

Redbank's successful halfback pass was actually the second on the night.  The first one went the Bobcats way, as Bubba Rue hit Jarrod Carpin for 44 yards down to the Bulldogs 3-yard line in the first half.

"We've been practicing that play all week," said Clarion head coach Larry Wiser.  "Jarrod ran a nice route and got open."

Kemmer was able to take it in from there bulling his way in for the game's first score making 7-0 Bobcats.

Clarion got the ball to start the second half, and started out with excellent field position at the 50-yard line following a bad kick by Redbank Valley.

The Bulldogs were able to steal the momentum on the half's first play, however, as Pat Goheen ripped the ball right out of Kemmer's hands to set up Redbank at the Clarion 34.  

“(Pat’s play) was just will power,” Rapp said. “He just wanted it, and he went and got it.”

The Bulldogs were able to move the ball down to the Clarion 16-yard line before facing a fourth-and-4.  Buchleitner was able to connect with Keaton Truitt on a 16-yard slant pass for a touchdown.  Bain's extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 8:48 to go in the third quarter.

On the Bobcats next offensive possession, Magagnotti came up with his first interception of the night, giving the Bobcats the ball at the Clarion 33-yard line.

It was Clarion's turn to come up with the big defensive stop this time, as the Bobcats forced a three-and-out, making Redbank punt.

The Bobcats had an opportunity to take the lead with just over ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but Kemmer's 31-yard field goal attempt was wide left and might have been a hair short as well.

Wiser was visibly upset on the play, claiming his center was interfered with. 

"The center isn't supposed to be touched, that's not being called by anybody," he said.

Clarion appeared poised to strike first early in the first quarter.  

Redbank went three-and-out on their first possession and was forced to punt. Kemmer broke through the line on the attempt and got a piece of the kick.

The Bobcats took over at Redbank's 13-yard line. But the Bulldogs defense stiffened, and Bruce McDaniel intercepted Heeter's pass on third-and-6 returning it to midfield.

Bladel was once again a workhorse for the Bulldogs carrying the ball 27 times for 106 yards and score, while also adding the passing touchdown. He is 46 yards shy of 3,000 in his career.  

Buchleitner finished 7 of 21 passing for 47 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception.

Rue led Clarion in rushing carrying the ball 17 times for 54 yards, but the Bobcats managed just five first downs the entire night including none in the first quarter and none in the third quarter.

Heeter, making his first career start at quarterback, finished 7 of 11 passing for 45 yards, 1 touchdown, and 3 interceptions.

NOTES – After having no District 9 game go to overtime last year, two more games including this one went to overtime Friday night making it seven such games this year … It was Redbank Valley’s second straight overtime game. The Bulldogs beat Brookville 19-13 in one overtime last week. It was Clarion's first overtime game since a 17-14 loss to Karns City Oct. 7, 2005 … The record for longest overtime game in the history of Pennsylvania high school football is six overtimes, which has happened twice, the last coming in 2004 when Warren defeated Meadville.

REDBANK VALLEY 28, CLARION 21, 3 overtimes

Score by Quarters

Clarion 0 7 0 0 7 7 0 – 21

Redbank 0 0 7 0 7 7 7 – 28

Scoring Summary

Second Quarter

C – Jon Kemmer 3 run (Kemmer kick), 4:20

Third Quarter

RV – Keaton Truitt 16 pass from Shiloh Buchleitner (Brandon Bain kick), 8:48

First Overtime

RV – Kameron Rankin 10 pass from Buchleitner (Bain kick)

C – Erik Hartle 4 pass from Brandon Heeter (Kemmer kick)

Second Overtime

C – Kevin Grejda 1 run (Kemmer kick)

RV – Jerrett Magagnotti 2 pass from Alex Bladel (Bain kick)

Third Overtime

RV – Bladel 2 run (Bain kick)

Team Statistics

       C         RV

First Downs            5          9

Rushes-Yards 38-95           41-140

Passing Yards 89    49

Passing: Comp-Att-Int       8-12-3  8-21-1

Total Yardage        182      189

Fumbles-Lost         1-1       2-1

Penalties-Yards      7-57     4-25

Punts-Avg. 7-40.7  6-28.0

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing – Clarion: Jon Kemmer 8-27, Bubba Rue 17-54, Kevin Grejda 9-13, Erik Hartle 3-1. Redbank Valley: Shiloh Buchleitner 10-34, Alex Bladel 27-106, Pat Goheen 1-1, Kameron Rankin 1-2, Kasey Haines 2-minus 3.

Passing – Clarion: Brandon Heeter 7-for-11, 45 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions. Bubba Rue 1-for-1, 44 yards. Redbank Valley: Shiloh Buchleitner 7-for-21, 47 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception. Alex Bladel 1-for-1, 2 yards, 1 touchdown.

Receiving – Clarion: Bubba Rue 1-9, Jarrod Carpin 3-62, Jon Kemmer 1-5, Kevin Grejda 2-9, Erik Hartle 1-4. Redbank Valley: Keaton Truitt 2-24, Kameron Rankin 2-10, Jerrett Magagnotti 2-9, Alex Bladel 1-2, Kasey Haines 1-4. 

Punting – Clarion: Jon Kemmer 7-285 (59 long). Redbank Valley: Shiloh Buchleitner 5-168 (37 long). Team 1-0.

Interceptions – Clarion: Kevin Grejda. Redbank Valley: Jerrett Magagnotti 2, Bruce McDaniel.