Yellowjackets Repeat As 8-Man Football Champs

Trailing by four points late in the fourth quarter, the chance to repeat as state champs in 3A/4A 8-man football was on the line for the Mountain View Yellowjackets Nov. 3. The Corning Bobcats had pushed to the Mountain View 9 yard line and the Yellowjacket defense made a crucial stop to force a turnover on downs.

But only 2 minutes and 5 seconds remained in the game and the Yellowjackets were 91 yards away from the opponent’s end zone.

On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Drew Shelton took the snap and passed laterally to Jack Newton, who then arched the ball over multiple defenders to a wide-open Ladd Cook. Still on the run, Cook caught the ball as he approached the 40 yard line and sprinted the remainder of the 91 yards for a touchdown as the hometown crowd went wild.

The Yellowjackets missed the conversion attempt, but now had the lead 20 to 18.

After the next kick with only 35 seconds left in the game, Corning quarterback Seth Green threw a pass and Rush Sullivan intercepted and returned for a final touchdown, making the final score Mountain View 28, Corning 18, and the crowd poured onto the field to celebrate.

See the full story in the Nov. 8 issue.