Davis’ field goal lifts Lewis and Clark over University 24-21
After two teams left everything on the field Friday night, the Greater Spokane League 4A showdown hinged on the foot of a 5-foot-8, 145-pound sophomore kicker.
Nick Davis was true, and the chip-shot field goal with six seconds on the clock propelled Lewis and Clark to a 24-21 victory over University at Joe Albi Stadium.
“It feels great,” Tigers quarterback Jordan Summers said after the win. “There is nothing better than to win a big game and have it come on homecoming, too.”
With LC down 21-14, University quarterback Logan O’Neill threw a pass that was picked off by LC’s Ryan Meyer, who raced 46 yards for the tying score with 9:44 to play.
“That was huge,” Tigers coach Dave Hughes said. “We have not had a turnover all season. Tonight, we had the big turnover.”
After a three-and-out, LC drove the ball to the Titans 1-yard line but Adam Jacobson was stopped on fourth down with 3:09 to play.
“Coach said, ‘Keep your heads high. We are going to come down and score,’” said Summers, who completed 10 of 19 passes for 168 yards.
The Tigers forced a punt and the Titans were called for a personal foul on the play, giving the Tigers the ball at the LC 48. Summers drove his team, including a 7-yard scramble for a first down, to set up Davis’ winning kick.
“Our guys hung together and played as a team,” Hughes said. “I’m very proud.”
The game started with a drive that stalled for Lewis and Clark (4-3, 1-2 GSL 4A). However, the Tigers’ punter was hit after he appeared to take off running with the ball and the Titans were called for roughing.
The penalty gave LC a first down at the U-Hi 44 yard line and the Tigers eventually drove to the 1-yard line where Summers plunged in for the score to make it 7-0.
University (5-2, 1-2) responded with a drive of its own in which O’Neill converted a fourth-and-7 with a 21-yard pass to Tre’von Tuggles to the 2. Tuggles plunged into the end zone the next play to tie the game.
Two drives later, Summers hit Leo Haghighi on a 40-yard pass that Haghighi pulled down with one hand. He landed at the 2 and Adam Jacobson rumbled into the end zone on the next play to make it 14-7 with 7:50 left before halftime.
In the third quarter, O’Neill found Tanner Chase on a 23-yard touchdown pass to tie the game. The Tigers fumbled the kickoff and O’Neill hit Griffin Thorson 15 seconds later for a 32-yard touchdown take a 21-14 lead.
But Meyer got the huge interception that tied the game, and allowed the sophomore kicker a chance at glory.
“He hasn’t missed an extra point all year,” Hughes said of Davis. “It was a great kick.”