East Stroudsburg South wins an overtime thriller vs. Whitehall to earn district title – Pocono Record

For anyone who didn't believe in miracles before Friday night, East Stroudsburg South's football team changed that.

South claimed victory to the District 11 Class 5A championship with a thrilling 47-41 overtime victory over Whitehall that at times seemed hopeless for the Cavaliers.

Both the defense and offense came out flat, first allowing an opening-drive touchdown to Whitehall before going three-and-out, then again allowing Whitehall quarterback Trey Dogmanits to connect with Bryce Bashore for a touchdown.

The tide seemed to turn after falling down 13-0 as South quarterback Bobby McClosky found Colin Burdian for a touchdown and the defense forced a punt, but a Ron Blake goal line fumble and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty from South head coach Matt Walters set Whitehall up for a five-play, 65-yard drive and a touchdown.

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When Blake South's rock all season on offense fumbled for a second time on South's very next drive, the game seemed to be slipping out of the Cavaliers' fingers. With the defense struggling to stop every level of Whitehall's offense,South's run game unable to get going and the team uncharacteristically committing penalties, South appeared on the verge of crumbling.

South took a 13-point deficit into halftime thanks to McClosky and Burdian connecting again shortly before the second quarter ended.

McClosky ultimately proved to be the game's hero, totaling six touchdowns and an interception. The senior quarterback passed for four scoresand rushed in two TDs.

He wasn't just the hero of regulation. McClosky intercepted Dogmanits on Whitehall's first play of overtime, then found wide receiver Shane Bulay for the game-winning score.

This wasn't any old overtime game, though. After McClosky rushed in a touchdown to start the fourth quarter and bring South within six, Whitehall scored quickly on a drive ending with an 8-yard pass from Dogmanits to Devin Donatelli.

The Zephyrs evaporated any momentum South had built by forcing an ugly three-and-out possession that forced the Cavaliers to punt despite being down 14 with only 8 minutes remaining.

South thwarted a fake field goal attempt from Whitehall on fourth-and-long shortly after and retook possession with just 4:40 on the clock and that same 14-point deficit.

Winning the game would take a miracle.

That miracle came in the form of, as mentioned earlier, a hero in Bobby McClosky.

Somehow, some way, McClosky found Burdian and Nic Perez for unbelievable plays. There was a fire lit inside the heart ofthis team that knew it had no choice but to score quickly to keep its season alive.

Burdian's third touchdown catch of the day reduced the Cavaliers' deficit to just six points, but only 2:23 remained on the clock.

No time proved to be better for a team that has been kicking onside kicks all season long. And who better to attempt it than McClosky?

McClosky's kick zigged and zagged past the first line of Whitehall players, through the hands of Whitehall senior leader Damonte Foreman and into the hands of Bulay.

The sideline erupted.

A deficit that seemed like a pipe dream to overcome just mere minutes ago was now slipping through Whitehall's hands, as the red-hot Cavaliers took over needing just 44 yards to tie the game.

After a 1-yard loss on the drive's first play, South's Nekhi Spencer made an incredible 30-yard reception and a major defensive pass interference call set up South at the Whitehall 6-yard line.

Ron Blake, who fumbled twice in the first quarter, barreled into the end zone to tie the game.

All South needed to do was hit the extra-point field goal.

But where onside kicks were a specialty all season, extra points were a rarity.

Whitehall blocked the kick. The thundering crowd fell silent.

A brief pause gave teams a breather before overtime, during which South assistant coach Ed Shanley spoke with McClosky. South won the coin toss and elected to defend.

"Coach Shanley ... said, 'Bobby, like, you're a smart player, you know thatthey're going to throwagain. Get that pick and seal the game,'" McClosky said. "I went to cover a slant and the ball was just right there, like magic."

A few plays later, it was all over.McClosky found Bulay again this time with his arm instead of his foot and South won its district title.

The District 11 championship, South's fifth overall and first since 2018, holds extra sentimental value for South after it missed the opportunity to compete in playoffs last year due to COVID-19. With a dominant senior core, South appeared poised to win a championship in 2020.

South's seniors coming into 2021 had a chip on their shoulder, McClosky said. After playing most of their football careers in the shadowof the class before them, McClosky said he and his teammates were determined to prove they could be just as good.

Blake said after South's semifinals win over Wyoming Valley West that the team came into the playoffs this year looking for vengeance. After missing out last year's district tournament, Blake said the team was extra hungry to compete.

South will play next Friday against District 10 championErie Cathedral Prep in the first round of the PIAA tournament. Five-time state champions, the Ramblers will enter the match against South as winners of seven consecutive District 10 titles.

"I couldn't be more proud that these kids are finally in the limelight," Walters said after the championship win. "They deserve the most dramatic comeback ending in district championship history. They deserve that."

Frank Piscani is the Sports Life multimedia reporter at the Pocono Record. You can email him at fpiscani@gannett.com or find him on social media platforms @frankpiscani.

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East Stroudsburg South wins an overtime thriller vs. Whitehall to earn district title - Pocono Record