Game 9 Summary
vs. East Paulding

Only one word to describe it: Heartbreaker. But what a game!
The Chiefs definitely brought their "A" game in one of the best contests in recent memory. The East Paulding Raiders were put on notice with an opening "shot across the bow" as Sequoyah received the kick-off and went on to score "Give'em six" on their first possession. The Raiders came about quickly though and put seven points on the score board through a strong passing game. Both teams battled for possession and field position as the first half ticked down to the final moments. Sequoyah reached for the go ahead points just before the half expired in a long field goal attempt that drifted wide of the uprights. The half ended with the score still tied - Sequoyah 7, East Paulding 7.

Fans, breathing again after a very exciting 24 minutes of play, hurried to the concession stand for beverages and funnel cakes, then hurried back for the second half. Looking in the eyes of our players as the fans cheered them onto the field you could tell they were there to play football!

The second half proved to be as exciting as the first as both teams, offense against defense, struggled to gain the big play that would decide the game. Stopped cold yet again, East Paulding gave up on the TD and settled for 3 points with a successful field goal from deep within Sequoyah territory. Now the score was Raiders 10, Chiefs 7. Sequoyah pounded back until, with 4 minutes 55 seconds left in the fourth quarter and deep in Raider territory were faced with fourth and long. No one noticed the storm clouds gathering as Sequoyah, too, resigning to settle for 3 points had sent in the field goal team. What started as a high snap ended like a bolt of lightning as Nathan Grummer retrieved the lost ball and fired a rifle shot to Daniel Dilbeck waiting within a few yards of the Raiders goal line, Dilbeck charged across and "Give'em six" put Sequoyah ahead of the stunned Raiders. Extra point made it Chiefs 14, Raiders 10. The Raiders took to the air on their next possession but came up short on a fourth and long. Sequoyah, with a four point lead took possession with 1 minute 55 seconds left in the game. The Raiders were not ready to lower their colors though and after using all their remaining time-outs to slow the clock, stopped the mighty Chiefs on a fourth down conversion. Taking possessions on downs with a long, long, long 55 seconds left, The Raiders continued to put the ball in the air eventually connecting with a receiver in the end-zone with only seconds left in the game. Sequoyah players and fans alike stood silent as we looked at the clock. Someone yelled "Don't give up, we have eight seconds left" as the Chiefs prepared to return the kick. For an instant it looked like the kick return might go all the way, but a Raiders player dragged our runner and our hopes for one more bolt of lightning down as the clock ran out. Final score was East Paulding 17, Sequoyah 14.

It was a heartbreaker for players, coaches and fans alike, but WHAT A GAME! We are proud of our Sequoyah CHIEFS!!!!