The Annawan-Wethersfield Titans had driven for a fourth-quarter touchdown that brought them to within a point of the visiting Stark County Rebels.
They had the choice of kicking a game-tying extra point, or going for a two-point conversion for the lead.
They went for two. But star running back Zeb Rashid was stopped short, and the Titans still trailed by a point, 21-20.
And that’s how Friday’s Prairieland Conference showdown between the the rival schools just 15 miles apart ended.
After a fairly uneventful first half, the two teams wound up their offenses in the second, with each side scoring twice. But the visitors had the edge in big plays, led by senior quarterback Luke Rewerts.
With the score tied at 7, the Rebels opened the second half with a drive starting at their 38. Led by Rewerts’ passing and his 23-yard run deep into Titans territory, the Rebels scored on a six-yard sweep around right end by senior wide receiver Avery Gerber.
The Titans’ ensuing drive stalled, and they punted. But the punt was fumbled, and A-W’s Ryker Gillespie recovered at the Stark County 27.
Annawan-Wethersfield quarterback Dillon Horrie connected with Colin Hornback to the Rebels’ 16, and from there Tommy Covington scored on a sweep left. Landon Sauer’s PAT kick tied it at 14.
After the A-W defense forced a three-and-out for the Rebels on their next possession, the Titans drove to the Stark County 10.
They lined up for a field goal attempt by Sauer but the kick was blocked.
The Rebels took over at their 47, and on the first play Rewerts connected with Lane Joos for a 53-yard touchdown.
In the fourth quarter the Titans started a drive at their 25, and the drive opened with a 40-yard pass play from Horrie to Sauer. They drove to the Stark County 6, and Horrie ran it in from there to make it 21-20.
Stark County opened the scoring in the first quarter when Rewerts found Joos wide open for a 46-yard touchdown on the Rebels’ first possession.
The Titans tied it midway through the second quarter on a two-play drive: Horrie found Rashid for a 50-yard pass play to the Rebels’ 9, and Horrie ran it in from there on the next play.
