Livonia Stuns Geneva At Buzzer
By: Thad Brown
Updated: October 28, 2012
Dustin Ayers hadn't tried any field goals in the game. His only extra point attempt was blocked.
However, with time for one play, Ayers was asked to make a 37 yard field goal that would give Livonia a berth in the Class B Finals.
His kick was dead center... and 38 yards long.
It was good enough to give (4)Livonia a 23-20 upset win over (1)Geneva in the Class B semifinals Sunday afternoon at rainy Sahlen's Stadium.
The field goal was set up when Connor Pierce hit Derek Bishopp with a pass down to the Geneva 20 yard line. Bishopp had a monster game with 141 yards rushing, 85 yards receiving on five catches and two second quarter touchdowns. Plus, Bishopp threw for the two point conversion on the second TD that made up for the blocked kick and tied the game at 14.
Josh Jackson gave Geneva a 14-0 first quarter lead with a pair of nine yard touchdown runs. Jackson finished with 103 yards rushing.
However, Livonia owned the second quarter thanks to Bishopp, who scored on a four yard run and a 61 yard catch of a ball thrown by Pierce.
The score held until midway through the third quarter when Kade O'Leary scored from two yards out to give the Bulldogs a 20-14 lead. Livonia tried for two with O'Leary again, but he was stuffed in the middle of the line.
Geneva answered in the 4th quarter. Shane Sweeney got loose for a 57 yard touchdown run, but the snap on the point after kick was bobbled and the Panthers had to settle for a tie at 20.
Livonia moved the ball inside the Geneva five on the next drive, but fumbled away a chance to take the lead. Geneva could do nothing with the turnover and punted back to Livonia, setting up Ayers' heroics.
The Bulldogs will face (2)ER/Gananda in Saturday's Class B title game which kicks off at Noon at Sahlen's Stadium. The Bombers skunked (3)Newark 27-0.
However, with time for one play, Ayers was asked to make a 37 yard field goal that would give Livonia a berth in the Class B Finals.
His kick was dead center... and 38 yards long.
It was good enough to give (4)Livonia a 23-20 upset win over (1)Geneva in the Class B semifinals Sunday afternoon at rainy Sahlen's Stadium.
The field goal was set up when Connor Pierce hit Derek Bishopp with a pass down to the Geneva 20 yard line. Bishopp had a monster game with 141 yards rushing, 85 yards receiving on five catches and two second quarter touchdowns. Plus, Bishopp threw for the two point conversion on the second TD that made up for the blocked kick and tied the game at 14.
Josh Jackson gave Geneva a 14-0 first quarter lead with a pair of nine yard touchdown runs. Jackson finished with 103 yards rushing.
However, Livonia owned the second quarter thanks to Bishopp, who scored on a four yard run and a 61 yard catch of a ball thrown by Pierce.
The score held until midway through the third quarter when Kade O'Leary scored from two yards out to give the Bulldogs a 20-14 lead. Livonia tried for two with O'Leary again, but he was stuffed in the middle of the line.
Geneva answered in the 4th quarter. Shane Sweeney got loose for a 57 yard touchdown run, but the snap on the point after kick was bobbled and the Panthers had to settle for a tie at 20.
Livonia moved the ball inside the Geneva five on the next drive, but fumbled away a chance to take the lead. Geneva could do nothing with the turnover and punted back to Livonia, setting up Ayers' heroics.
The Bulldogs will face (2)ER/Gananda in Saturday's Class B title game which kicks off at Noon at Sahlen's Stadium. The Bombers skunked (3)Newark 27-0.
