Twenty yards.
That was what separated the WCA football team from the city’s first public school berth in a state championship game.
The Spartans had precious few seconds to work with, but there was just 20 yards to go.
That 20 yards turned out to be the difference in Sunday afternoon’s Class S state semifinal game against Bloomfield at Bloomfield High School’s Phil Rubin Stadium.
The final pass from WCA’s Dylan Rossi, intended for Jaiden Rousseau, fell through the fingertips of a Bloomfield defender and hit the turf. The Spartans saw their historic season end at 8-4 with a 28-23 loss.
WCA, which built a stunning 9-0 lead less than three minutes into the game on a safety and Rossi touchdown run, saw that lead and two others evaporate against Bloomfield. The Spartans led, 16-12, at halftime, after Rossi found Josh Myers for a 12-yard touchdown at the 24-second mark. WCA took its final lead of the game, 23-20, with 5:07 to play after Jameer Guest’s eight-yard touchdown run and Rossi’s third and final extra point without a miss.
Bloomfield drove 66 yards in 3:40 to reclaim the lead for the final time. The Warhawks were helped out by a defensive holding call on the Spartans, but it was mostly the left arm and legs of quarterback Cameron White, and the hands of Lamont Applewhite, that did the damage. When senior Marlon Britton scored from a yard out, Bloomfield had the lead. Britton then picked up a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for leaning in and taunting Mekheem Ambursley. White ran in the two-point conversion for a 28-23 lead, but his team has to kick off from its own 25.
A short kick and return gave WCA the ball in Bloomfield territory. Two runs gained minimal yardage and took time off the clock. Rossi scrambled for 13 yards, then passed to Jaymonie Eason for 8 to move the ball to the Warhawk 20 with only enough time for one more play. Unlike Ansonia-Woodland, there would be no miracle touchdown pass. Instead, WCA’s season ended with a heartbreaking loss, and a vow to get back to work to get back to the semifinal round.
GALLERY: Here are my photos from Sunday’s game.
