Denies two-point conversion attempt on final drive of game

Times Herald-Record

Published: 2:00 AM - 09/15/13

The showdown, Liberty vs. James I. O'Neill, took parts of two days to finish and provided plenty of twists, turns and excitement right down to the final seconds.

In a rematch of last year's Class C championship, O'Neill outlasted host Liberty 21-20 on Saturday. Down a point, Liberty was stopped on a two-point conversion with 18 seconds remaining. The game was postponed on Thursday late in the third quarter due to thunderstorms with O'Neill (2-0) leading 13-6.

"It was a relief to win," O'Neill coach Anthony Finochio said. "It was a roller coaster. We were up, we were down. It was like a prize fight."

Liberty took a 14-13 lead over the two-time defending Class C champion on a 52-yard run by Quinn Jackson with 8 minutes remaining in the game. Jackson added the two-point conversion on a run. O'Neill took the lead with just 50 seconds left on a 20-yard touchdown run by Keegan West and a two-point conversion run by Malik Chambers, who finished with 207 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. West rushed for two touchdowns and passed for 117 and a score.

On the final drive of the game, Liberty (1-1) started at its own 27-yard line. Jackson hit Jericho Male for a 68-yard score to cut O'Neill's lead to 21-20. Liberty went for the two-point conversion and O'Neill was called for offsides, moving the ball from the 3 to the 11/2-yard line.

Going for the dramatic win, Jackson was stopped on the two-point conversion attempt by O'Neill linebacker Matt Newlin. Liberty coach John Wilhelm said the team does not have a kicker. O'Neill beat Liberty 35-14 in last year's Class C championship. Jackson had 224 all-purpose yards and Shakree Gibson rushed for 115 yards.

"It was an insane game," Jackson said. "It was one of the most exciting games I've ever been a part of. To lose like that, it was rough, definitely. But we never gave up and I'm proud of my team."

Continued here:

O'Neill edges Liberty in 'C' showdown