[Stardust]

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll...309030126/

With time winding down and his team facing a fourth down and potential game-winning field goal, Simon Kenton coach Jeff Marksberry summoned Cody Herald.

He had a question for his first-year varsity kicker, but it had nothing to do with his leg.

• Photos: Pioneers 31, Colonels 28


"I asked him if his face hurt,” Marksberry said. “He said no. I said, ‘Well it’s going to after you kick this and everyone’s mobbing you."

Marksberry was right on, and so was Herald. The senior made a chip-shot field goal to propel the Pioneers to a 31-28 victory over Dixie Heights on Friday night at Rice Mountjoy Stadium.

The kick completed a fourth-quarter comeback and put the finishing touches on a back-and-forth game between the third- and fourth-ranked teams in the Enquirer Northern Kentucky coaches’ poll.

No. 3 Simon Kenton trailed for most of the game. And after tying the game briefly in the third quarter, it fell behind 28-21 on an 11-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run from Dixie Heights quarterback Zeke Pike.

That’s when Simon Kenton senior quarterback Chad Lawrence led the comeback. He manned an eight-play, 73-yard drive – keyed by his 36-yard run on fourth-and-1 and capped by his 7-yard game-tying touchdown run.

• Lawrence turns in dazzling performance

The Pioneers then forced a three-and-out and took over at their own 30-yard line with 6:28 remaining. Lawrence again led Simon Kenton downfield, and with the aid of two key third-down penalties, it found itself with a first-and-goal at the 5-yard line.

After coming up short on three running plays, the Pioneers brought in Herald on fourth-and-goal from the 1.

“I don’t hesitate; I just do every kick the same,” said Herald, who didn’t play football last year to concentrate on soccer. “I don’t want to overkick or anything.”

Dixie Heights called timeout to ice Herald. But it didn’t work. After play resumed with 18 seconds remaining he calmly split the uprights with the 18-yarder.

“I knew it was good,” said Marksberry. “I had no second thoughts about kicking that field goal.”

Dixie had one more chance, which ended after an awkward series of pitches and backward passes finally ended with an illegal forward lateral.

For the Colonels, the game marked the second time this season that they’d let a lead slip away in the fourth quarter. It also happened in a season-opening loss to Newport Central Catholic.

“I hope it’s stuff we can fix,” said Dixie coach Tom Spritzky. “But it’s disappointing to blow a game. Simon played really well. But I’m disappointed in how we played with the lead.”

Dixie Heights appeared to be cruising in the first half. The Colonels took a 21-8 lead on Bobby Leonard’s second touchdown reception of the game. And with time winding down in the first half, it looked like they might lead to their advantage. But Austin Baldwin picked off a Pike pass with 11 seconds remaining, then Lawrence threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Winker.

“Ryan’s a great receiver,” said Lawrence. “He went up and made a big play. He’s my go-to guy. He just made a great play on the ball. I’m thankful for that.”

The game not only was a matchup of two of the area’s best teams, but two of the best quarterbacks. Lawrence finished with 113 yards and one touchdown rushing. He threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns. Pike ran for 80 yards and two scores and threw for 216 yards and two scores.