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Edmond Memorial

Bulldogs

FOOTBALL

Memorial loses to MWC, but was it a touchdown?

Midwest City was expected to walk over the lightly regarded Edmond Memorial Bulldogs. The problem was that the Bulldogs did not get the memo.

With 7:30 remaining in the opening period, the Bombers' Tim Flanders scored a touchdown on a 17-yard run.

The Bulldogs answered with a 15-play, 64-yard drive that culminated with a 3-yard touchdown run by Anthony Morales to tie the game.

The resulting kickoff by Memorial will be a play that is debated for years by those at the game.

The kickoff was received by Midwest City's John Flanders at the goal line. According to high school federation rules, if the ball crosses into end zone, the ball is automatically a touch back.

Flanders was clearly in the end zone with his feet, but did the ball cross the goal line? The official said it did not.

Flanders, given new life, ran 100-yards for a Midwest City score - a touchdown that would make all the difference in this contest.

The Dogs did lie down following the score, but went on a 9-play, 80-yard drive to tie the game at 14-14. The scoring play was a 9-yard pass from quarterback Pete Towne to David James.

After giving up a 1-yard touchdown run to Flounders, the third period belonged to Memorial as they added 14 points to their total on a pair of touchdown runs by Towne - one for 1-yard and the other for 2-yards.

The Bombers came back with a drive that ended in a bizarre manner.

Vershon Moore scored on a 1-yard run, but was flagged for celebrating in the end zone.

Down by two, 28-26, Midwest City elected to try to tie the game with a 2-point conversion - from the 18-yard line. The pass attempt went incomplete.

Edmond Memorial still led, but by only two points.

On their next possession, the Bombers were facing fourth-and-goal from the one. Midwest City called a timeout to talk about the next call. Would they kick a field goal or go for the touchdown?

The Bombers went for it all - and Moore ran into the end zone.

With 1:48 left in the game and down by four points, Edmond Memorial faced a decision on fourth-and=23 from their 14-yard line. Go for the first down and the win - or limit their loss in the district differential column by punting the ball away.

This was similar to the Putnam City-Westmoore ending the night before.

The Bulldogs elected to punt, effectively ending the game and giving Midwest City a 32-28 win.