Nation Ford Falcons stop Irmo's 2-point conversion in overtime to open season with win

Nation Ford’s Halen Burgess broke up a two-point conversion pass from the Irmo Yellow Jackets to give the Falcons a 28-27 win in overtime.

Nation Ford senior quarterback Kirk Rygol hit senior Alex Stennett for a 10-yard touchdown to go ahead in overtime and while Irmo countered with a touchdown, they were unable to convert on a two-point conversion.

The meeting was the first between the two schools and the wet field proved to be a challenge for both teams as players struggled to stay on their feet.

Rygol got the start for the Falcons and confidently marched the home team down the field picking up a couple first downs. Rygol then hit fellow Stennett for a 38-yard score putting the Falcons on the board early in the opening quarter.

Irmo kept the ball on the ground for their first series and had a 20-yard scramble from quarterback Mason Lasitter to cross midfield. Irmo’s Shakeem Bradley also picked up big yardage by running for a 22-yard play to get the Yellow Jackets into scoring position before Lasitter scored several plays later.

After a fast start, Nation Ford was forced to punt on its second series, going three and out and giving the ball right back to Irmo. The Yellow Jackets kept the ball on the ground for most of the opening quarter throwing just twice as their second passing attempt resulted in a interception by the Falcons’ John Young.

Offensively, Rygol was as swift on his feet as he was with his arm scrambling on several occasions to open up Irmo’s secondary. Rygol started out hot, but cooled as the Yellow Jackets defense got to him.

Nation Ford’s pass defense wasn’t tested as much as its run defense, which struggled at times in giving up big gains to Irmo.

With about 2:20 left in the first half, Irmo scored their second touchdown of the game putting together a 10-play, 58-yard drive that ate up much of the clock and was capped off with a five-yard touchdown run by running back Jeffery Tharp.

Turning point

The Falcons’ defense stepped up in the second half stopping Irmo on their first two drives in the third quarter. However, at the start of the fourth quarter Bradley rushed up the middle for a 66-yard touchdown run putting Irmo up 21-14.

After coming from behind twice, the second time in the fourth quarter, Rygol hit Stennett for a 41-yard pass putting the Falcons at the nine-yard line. They then tried to go for a 23-yard field goal as time expired, but missed, sending the game into overtime.

Critical

Nation Ford came back in the second half to tie the game with the help of their running game as they started giving the ball to senior Rese Turner. Turner was able to tie things up on a six-yard run for the Falcons about midway through the third quarter. Turner ran the ball four times on the nine-play drive.

After Irmo took the lead in the fourth quarter, Nation Ford was able to tie the game late again as Rygol ran in from three yards out to tie the game at 21 with five minutes left.

Box score

This story was originally published August 19, 2016 at 11:30 PM with the headline "Nation Ford Falcons stop Irmo's 2-point conversion in overtime to open season with win."