Westminster's defense (in black) collapses on South Carroll's Adam Slatniske on the final play of the second overtime Monday night. The surge led by Owls' senior Brett Baer secured a 27-24 decision over the formerly 16th ranked Cavaliers.
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 by Derek Toney
dtoney@digitalsports.com

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It's often said football is a game of inches. It was never more true Monday night at Westminster High as the Owls outlasted No. 16 South Carroll, 27-24, in double overtime in a Monocacy Valley Athletic League non-divisional matchup.

Westminster denied the Cavaliers on fourth down from just outside the one-yard line to end the nearly three-hour battle of Carroll County foes. After winning one game last fall, the Owls are off to a 2-0 start for the third time in the last four seasons.

"When you have this many seniors on the team, they'll fight and they'll scrap," said Westminster coach Brad Wilson. "I think they realized they put themselves in this situation. Like I told them, 'we got ourselves here, let's get ourselves out of it.'"

The Owls saw South Carroll (1-1) rallied with two touchdowns in the final five minutes of regulation to force extra play. The Cavaliers were about 18 inches away from snatching an improbable victory, but Brett Baer and the Westminster defense had the final say.

Baer, a senior linebacker, was first to hit Cavalier running back Adam Slatniske as he tried to reach the end zone off right tackle. Baer had little doubt about answering the last challenge.

"I was just going right for it, I didn't even care what we were lining up in," said Baer. "I knew where they were going, right up the middle, they?ve been doing it all night."

For most of the evening, South Carroll's offense was a proverbial accident waiting to happen. Six turnovers in its first 11 possessions, but the Cavaliers found renewed energy with Alex Terpening replacing a struggling Ryan Weaver at quarterback.

Terpening threw a 77-yard pass to Tom Cullop with 4 minutes, 18 seconds left in regulation, bringing South Carroll to within 17-10. The Cavaliers forced Westminster to punt on the ensuing possession, then a little trickery got them

On fourth down and six from the Owls' 44, Terpening threw a short pass to Travis Tate. Tate pitched the ball backwards to Damian Bosiacki, who raced down the right sidelines and was knocked out at the one-yard line.

Slatniske finished the drive on the next play, tying the game with 2:42 left. The senior running back opened the first overtime with a two-yard run, followed by Ian Rhoades' extra point, giving the Cavaliers their first lead since Rhoades' 27-yard field goal in the first quarter.

Held scoreless the entire second half, Westminster responded as junior quarter Andy Gilford found senior Ricky Pownall in the right corner of the end zone. John Hajnos' extra point extended the game into a second overtime session.

Hajnos, a senior, split the uprights again, this time from 40 yards out, giving the Owls the lead for good. As a freshman in 2005, Hajnos missed a game-winning 21-yard field goal in overtime as the Owls lost to Gwynn Park in double overtime in the Class 3A state championship game at M & T Bank Stadium.

"I just came out here and did my job," said Hajnos, who also had a 31-yard field goal Monday. "When the offense can't finish, I just try to get some points on the board."

With the option of a short field goal and sending the game into a third overtime, South Carroll coach Greg Mihalko had confidence in his offense. Despite falling short, Mihalko was proud of his team's comeback.

"Our kids played a heck of a game. I don't know of any other team wouldn't had packed it in," said Mihalko. "That's a tribute to these kids' character. I have no problem going for it."

Terpening finished with 125 yards passing in relief of Weaver.  Gilford had a pair of touchdown passes for the Owls, and defensive back Dante Jefferson intercepted two passes, returning one 74 yards for a touchdown. He?s one of 34 seniors on the Westminster roster.

 "That last play was going to tell how our year is going to be," said Jefferson, whose team plays Liberty Friday evening. We really had to step up and find our heart and confidence, and that?s what we did.?     

Westminster 27, South Carroll 24

South Carroll 3   0   0 14 7 0?24

Westminster 0 17   0   0 7 3?27

SC-Rhoades 27 FG

W-Hart 10 pass from Gilford (Hajnos kick)

W-Jefferson 74 interception return (Hajnos kick)

W-Hajnos 31 FG

SC-Cullop 77 pass from Terpening (Rhoades kick)

SC-Slatniske 1 run (Rhoades kick)

SC-Slatniske 2 run (Rhoades kick)

W- Pownall 10 pass from Gilford (Hajnos kick)

W-Hajnos 40 FG