A matter of inches may be the difference between Chardon making the postseason and the Toppers staying home in week 11.
A missed two-point conversion was the difference as Brush edged Chardon 21-20 and prevented the Hilltoppers from clinching an outright share of the Western Reserve Conference title.
Following an Arc touchdown by Donovan Johnson with 3:03 to play, and a successful two-point conversion pass from Godwin Joe to Johnson, Brush held a 21-14 led.
Facing a fourth down and 11 from their own 19 with less than 1:30 to play, Hilltopper quarterback Andrew Kobeszewski found tight endJake Niehus wide open for an 87-yard reception.
Kobeszewski then scored a 4-yard touchdown run to put the Toppers to within a point.
Instead of going for the P.A.T. to tie the game, Chardon coach Mitch Hewitt decided to go for two.
“We were down both halfbacks and down both our safeties and I think they were heating up offensively,” said Hewitt. “It’s a game of inches and when I look into our kids’ eyes and they say let’s go for it, I’m going to go for it.”
The Hilltoppers went for the two-point conversion and Kobeszewski was tackled shy of the goal line.
“It’s tough,” said Hewitt. “If we were three inches closer it’s the greatest call in the world. If we’re three inches shorter, like we were, it’s the worst call in the world. You have to be willing to take risks and I’m willing to take risks.”
The Arcs (6-2, 4-1) recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock to move into a first place tie with Chardon (6-2, 4-1) in the WRC.
Coming out of halftime, Chardon tied the game at 7-7 with a 7-yard touchdown run by Kobeszewski early in the third.
Kobeszewski would put the Toppers up 14-7 with a 4-yard touchdown run with six seconds to play in the third.
However, the banged-up Chardon defense could not slow down the Arc’s passing game.
Big plays in the fourth quarter led to two Brush scores, including the game-winner by Johnson.
With the victory, Brush now controls their own destiny in the Division II Region 5 playoff hunt. According to joeeitel.com, if the Arcs win out, they will host a playoff game in week 11.
The loss dropped Chardon to 12th in points in Division III Region 9. They now need help to make the playoffs and qualify for the postseason.
For Chardon to make the playoffs, the Toppers have to beat Kenston at home in week 9 and North in Eastlake in week 10, plus, several of the teams ahead of them will have to lose.