BY MICHAEL DAVID

The Burley Bobcats scored on long touchdown passes at the end of the both halves to rally for the victory over Wood River by a score of 20-14. On a crisp homecoming evening at Phil Homer Field, the Bobcats struck on a 30-yard touchdown pass with 11 seconds remaining to break a 14-14 tie and snatch the win on Friday night.

Wood River found success running the football at the outset, capping their second drive with a Dom Leos touchdown run to take the early 6-0 lead. The defenses then took over, stifling both offenses until Burley took the 8-6 lead at the start of the second quarter on a 5-yard scoring run and a two-point conversion.

With the clock winding down to the end of the quarter, it appeared the Bobcats would take that 8-6 lead into halftime. With a mere 13 seconds remaining in the half, Burley’s Hail Mary was answered, connecting on a 35-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-6 lead at the break.

After a wonderful homecoming celebration that culminated with the crowning of Isaac Loomis and Aspen Vincent as Homecoming King and Queen, the teams returned to the field and resumed their defensive tussle.

Neither team was able to sustain a drive against the opposing defense for the entire third quarter. It took a fantastic special teams play near the end of the third quarter to give the Wolverines a scoring opportunity as Wyatt Barth’s 40-yard punt return to the 20-yard line set up the short field for the home team.

Andrew Nelson and the offense took advantage of the field position when Nelson hooked up with Christian Bothwell on a 16-yard touchdown pass to pull within two points, 14-12. The Wolverine duo connected again on the two-point conversion, as Nelson scrambled away from pressure and found Bothwell in the back of the end zone to tie the contest at 14 apiece.

Defense dominated the fourth quarter, including a Connor Manning interception, and all signs pointed to a potential overtime to settle the tie. But lightening would strike twice on Homecoming when Burley again completed a long touchdown pass with only seconds remaining, this time a 30-yarder, to shock everyone in attendance and capture the 20-14 victory.

The Wolverines look to finish the regular season on a high note next Friday, Oct, 19, as they take on Canyon Ridge at home. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.