It came down to a catch and a kick. One at the hands of junior receiver Josh McCullough, and the other at the foot of junior placekicker Lucas England. Both game-securing actions came in the waning seconds of a gutsy 10 to 9 victory that the North Atlanta football team claimed over visiting Wheeler Wildcats on Friday, August 30th, in Henderson Stadium. The Warriors overcame many obstacles on their way to a second win of the season; it wasn’t until the last 4 seconds that McCullough’s touchdown catch tied the game up.
The Dubs hadn’t been so hot coming into this game after a tough loss to the Kell Longhorns to open the season and a slow start facing Paulding County the following week. The Dubs football team looked up to key leaders such as Ian Reynolds, who secured a touchdown pass and 60 passing yards; Dean Paulson, with three tackles and a tackle for loss; Josh McCullough, with the game-tying reception; and of course, Lucas England who scored the game-winning field goal.
England started the game off hot with a routine 30-yard field goal. It wasn’t until the second quarter that the trouble began. In a roller coaster of emotions, the offense drove down the field, and unfortunately, the drive ended with a missed field goal. On a more positive note, the Dubs defense had been holding the Wildcats to either a field goal or a turnover every drive.
As the fourth quarter crept up on both teams, the stadium was full of hands flying through the air, all holding up fours. Unexpectedly, the fourth quarter was led off with another missed field goal that was just barely short of the uprights. England couldn’t have been more frustrated. He jogged off the field as his teammates picked him up, heading straight for the kicking net as he knew what it would take to win this game. “I couldn’t let my previous kicks drag me down. The game wasn’t over,” England said. “I knew my leg would be needed to secure this game.”
The game had bled away from the Dubs, and the momentum wasn’t in their favor. Giving up wasn’t an option for head coach, Jamie Aull. He believed in England’s boot and knew it would be of good use at the end of the game. “Keep your head up kid,” said Coach Aull to England. “We are going to need you to win this game.”
The Wildcats scored the first touchdown with 2 minutes left in the game, but fortunately for the Dubs, they missed the extra point, leaving room for the offense to take the game away. Their last drive was a lengthy 75 yard journey. Ian Reynolds led the drive with a perfect delivery to senior wide receiver Grant Thompson, who took off for even more yards. Then, with 10 seconds left in the game, Reynolds dropped back, stepped up in the pocket, and delivered a bullet to McCullough in the corner of the endzone. McCullough was ecstatic- a little too ecstatic, according to the referee. He pulled off his helmet out of pure excitement, drawing a flag that would be put into effect on the kick. “Lucas had to step up because of my rookie mistake,” said McCullough. “It was definitely a learning moment for me.”
England sure did step up. He disregarded the distance added to his game winning kick, took a deep breath, and with a clear head, struck the ball. He sent it straight through the uprights securing the victory. Dubs win as time expires, 10-9. Lucas England leaves Henderson Stadium a hero.
