The Hilltoppers upset Kenston 27-24 on a Jon McKnight two-yard touchdown run as time expired.
With the win, Chardon knocked Kenston from the ranks of the unbeaten and positioned itself for a shot at a playoff game in week 11.
Trailing by three-points with just under seven minutes to play, the Toppers embarked on a 98-yard drive capped off by the McKnight touchdown.
During the drive, Chardon picked up six first downs and made two fourth-down conversions.
Then, with less than five seconds left to play, Chardon coach Mitch Hewitt made one of the gutsiest calls of his career.
Instead of deciding to kick a game-tying field goal, the Toppers went for the win against the top-ranked Div. III team.
Coming out of a timeout, McKnight took the handoff and raced to the right corner of the end zone for the victory.
“You’re going to call a player’s number before you call a play, and that’s what you do with number seven,” said Hewitt. “We’re calling this for him.”
“We were practicing that play all week,” said Hilltopper junior quarterback Max Vujaklija.
The practice paid off as blockers, led by senior Wade Novak, sealed off the corner and allowed McKnight to score.
The long drive kept the Bombers’ potent offense off the field and allowed Chardon to pull off the upset.
This win may go down as one of the biggest of Hewitt’s career.
“It was a good win for the program, a good win for these kids, and something we can build on for the next few weeks,” said Hewitt.
McKnight’s touchdown run was set up by a number of big plays on the final drive, including an athletic catch by the senior running back.
As time was running out, Vujaklija threw a pass short and McKnight had to readjust to the throw. He cut off his route and dove back toward the ball, making the catch.
“It was one of the best catches of my career,” said McKnight.
“I told him, I’m throwing this to you no matter what,” said Vujaklija. “I threw it short because I knew a guy would be on him, and he made a great play.”
Kenston struck first in the game; Bransen Stanley hauled in 12-yard touchdown pass from Jon Tomcufcik. The point after was no good, and the Bombers led 6-0.
The Hilltoppers responded with Andrew Kobuszewski, who tore his ACL against South, making a start. Wearing a brace on his injured knee, Kobuszewski piloted Chardon down the field and scored on a two-yard touchdown run.
An Anna Sanders 26-yard field goal early in the third gave the Bombers the led back, 9-7.
A Jack Porter 10-yard touchdown run with 4:46 to play in the second quarter upped the Bomber lead to 16-7.
Then Chardon answered back, as the Toppers went into their bag of tricks.
Hilltopper sophomore Brady Toth threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to senior Jacob Urbic to trim the deficit to 16-14, with 1:14 left before the half.
Coming out of halftime, Novak busted off a 53-yard touchdown run to put Chardon back on top 21-16.
“It was insane — our offense came out, and the first play of the second half and I scored,” said Novak.
A Porter touchdown run and two-point conversion play made it 24-21 with 8:11 left in the game.
Chardon, though, had one final drive left in them, and marched down the field in 21 plays.
Thanks to McKnight, the Toppers can clinch a playoff game, perhaps a home game, with a win against North this Friday at home.
Starting the season 1-3, it seemed unlikely the Hilltoppers would be the team to put an end to Kenston’s undefeated season. But the players and coaches did not give up.
“We’ve had Elite Eight teams, deep playoff runs, and this is a unique category for me,” said Hewitt. “It’ll probably take me some time post-season to digest what these kids have done for the community and themselves.
“I didn’t think we’d be here,” said McKnight. “We started 1-3, had injuries and lost our starting quarterback to mono. Max came in and led us to a lot of victories.”