Fenton: “We played like it was the 4th quarter”

Posted Sep 12, 2009 by Nick Williams

Updated Sep 12, 2009 at 01:02 AM

Jefferson’s 29-28 win over Newsome Friday could become the most controversial game of the season, and its only Week 2.

Jefferson athletic director Bob Morgan said he was unsure if the win will count because the game ended after the third quarter. Morgan said the county does not allow games to continue if the fourth quarter doesn’t start before 11 p.m. The game ended around 11:20 on Friday. As officials, head coaches and athletic directors discussed the issue at center field, the Newsome crowd chanted “Let them play, let them play!” Jefferson offered to continue the game Saturday afternoon, but with games on Thursday and some students taking SATs Saturday morning, Morgan said Newsome declined.

However, Jefferson coach Mike Fenton wants to claim it was a victory. And who can blame him? With 1:21 remaining, Jefferson went for the two-point conversion to seal the lead and the eventual win.

“We knew that was going to be our last go around,” Fenton said. “We were discussing afterwards if we were going to come back tomorrow, but we were planning as if (the third quarter) was the fourth quarter. That’s why we went Mayday, that’s why we went for two. Otherwise, we would not have done that. We agreed upon it before the game that we were going to play it however it ended and that was the way it was going to be. In our book, it was a win and we’re undefeated right now.”

It was a non-district game, but should it count as a win for Jefferson?