Field goal powers Potomac

By Dan Clendaniel For the News & Messenger
Published: September 12, 2008

With seconds left to play, Anthony Edwards of Potomac lined up for the game-winning field goal.
Luckily for Edwards, he was attempting the 20-yard kick to break a scoreless tie with Osbourn Park by using his right leg.
Earlier in the second half, Edwards’ left leg had cramped up on the humid evening following a punt, prompting a timeout and a visit by the team’s trainer.
Edwards also had a dry run prior to his game-winner. He had come up short on a field goal attempt from 36 yards seconds earlier.
But a running-into-the-kicker call gave the Panther offense new life as the drive continued.
Finally, with three seconds to play, Edwards booted a 20-yard field goal for the only points of the game as the Panthers (2-1)  won the nondistrict affair, 3-0.
Considering the defensive nature of the entire game, it was remarkable that Potomac’s game-winning drive had begun on their own five-yard line with five minutes to play.
But Potomac quarterback DeAirius Thomas, who completed only three passes in the game, converted two passes on the drive including a big 19-yarder to Edwards in his own territory to keep the drive alive.
Another big play on the scoring drive was a 12-yard run by Desmond Spates, especially when another 15 yards was added to the play because a Yellow Jacket defender was flagged for a late out-of-bounds hit on Spates.
Earlier in the quarter, with the score still 0-0, Osbourn Park (1-1)  looked to be in good shape when linebacker Kyle Whitt sacked Thomas from behind, forcing a fumble. Whitt made the recovery near midfield.
A Shawn Khanamuenwai 12-yard run allowed the Jackets to cross midfield.
But a holding call two plays later halted the Osbourn Park momentum.
Khanamuenwai pinned the Panthers on their own five-yard line with a punt, but Potomac then drove 92 yards for the winning kick.
Osbourn Park out-gained Potomac in the scoreless first half, 143-100.
But sophomore quarterback Dominique Terrell of OP was able to complete just two passes after halftime for 12 yards.
Meanwhile, Terrell ran for 58 yards in the second half but the other OP backs gained just 32 yards. The Jackets ran just 18 plays in the second half and earned just two first downs.
Freshman running back Matthew Thomas was the Panthers’ primary offensive weapon as he picked up 92 yards on 20 carries.