What a finish.
Trailing 12-7 with time ticking away in the fourth quarter, Sheffield's Mister Ussery intercepted a Cameron County pass and took it all the way to the end zone, giving the Wolverines the lead and the team's first win of the season, 13-12, Saturday on Wolverine Mountain.
"It was a huge play," said Sheffield coach Dave Fitch who earned his first victory as a varsity head football coach. "When things looked the grimmest, that play brought our team together in a matter of 30 seconds."
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Ben Oviatt
Mr. Big Play
Sheffield’s Mister Ussery intercepts a Cameron County pass late in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s football game on Wolverine Mountain. Ussery returned the interception 42 yards for a touchdown to provide what was ultimately the winning score in a 13-12 decision.
Cameron County gave it one last shot, but another key interception - this one from Dylan Reynolds - ended the drive and secured the win for Sheffield.
Sheffield found itself in an early hole after a 90-yard interception return for a score by Cameron County's Eric Spehalski. The extra point try failed.
The Wolverines were able to answer late in the first quarter when Daiquan Brown pounded in a two-yard run to get his team on the board. Shequan Wright booted the extra point through the uprights to give the Wolverines a 7-6 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Fact Box
Cameron County - Sheffield Stats
Cameron6600-12
Sheffield7006-13
First Quarter
C - Eric Spehalski 90 interception return, 6:54, kick failed
S - Daiquan Brown 2 run. 0:22, Shequan Wright kick
Second Quarter
C - Tucker Britton 12 yard pass to Dylan Armstrong, 0:22, run failed
Fourth Quarter
S - Mister Ussery 42 yard interception return, 6:05, kick failed
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CS
Offensive Plays5161
First downs915
Rushes-yards40-12049-237
Passing4985
Total Yards169322
Comp-Att-Int2-11-24-12-3
Fumbles-Lost0-02-2
Penalties-Yards6-318-62
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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING- S - Shequan Wright 21 for 86, Brandon Johnston 14 for 61, Dylan Reynolds 8 for 56, Dylan Smith 3 for 31, Daiquan Brown 3 for 3, TD; C- Antonio Johnson 23 for 65, Tony Olivett11 for 47, Tucker Britton 5 for 15, Devin Mason 1 for -7
PASSING - S- Shequan Wright 4 of 11 for 85, 2 INT, Adam Higby 0 for 1, INT; C- Tucker Britton 2 of 11 for 49, TD, 2 INT
RECEIVING - S- Dylan McNeal 2 for 70, Dylan Smith 1 for 11, Dylan Reynolds 1 for 4; C- Dylan Armstrong 2 for 49, TD
The Red Raiders would bounce back to take the lead before the break, scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a 12-yard pass from Tucker Britton to Dylan Armstrong. The score came with just 22 seconds remaining in the first half.
A scoreless third quarter set the stage for Ussery's interception with just 6:05 left in the game. The Wolverines then went to work on running out the clock and securing the first win of the season in front of the home crowd.
"We were much, much improved offensively," said Fitch. "We're not quite where we need to be, but we're moving the ball and that's a start."
Wright led the offensive attack for the Wolverines, picking up 86 yards on 21 carries and passing for another 85 yards through the air. Brandon Johnston had 61 yards on 14 carries and Reynolds added 56 yards on eight touches for Sheffield.
Sheffield will try to make it two wins in a row Saturday when it hosts Coudersport in its annual Homecoming game.