Central football team stumbles against Chaminade in 2 OT

ST. LOUIS -- The late-game frustrations for the Central football team continued Friday night.

The Tigers, who saw fourth-quarter leads disappear in their previous three games, fell to Chaminade 21-14 in double overtime.

Central missed two potential game-winning field goals in the first overtime.

"It's like deja vu over and over and over and over again," Central coach Nathan Norman said. "It is tough and very frustrating. We play hard every week, but sometimes we are not tough mentally, and I will take the blame for that."

Central won the toss to start the overtime and elected to begin on defense. Chaminade got a big run on a reverse by Justin Smith on a third-and-9 play that gave the Red Devils a first-and-goal at the Central 3. The Tigers escaped the situation when linebacker Jacob Margetta recovered a fumbled snap to end the possession.

On Central's ensuing possession, Jacob Campbell had two runs for a total of 22 yards, but they were sandiched around a holding penalty that left the Tigers attempting a 24-yard field goal by Calvin Lovig. The kick went wide, but the Red Devils were called for a running-into-the-kicker penalty. The five-yard penalty resulted in a replay of the down and a 21-yard field-goal attempt, which was blocked.

Chaminade's Roderick Campbell had an interception on the Tigers' second overtime possession. Smith later scored the game-winner on a 19-yard run.

The Tigers put themselves in position for a victory with a stingy defense and a couple of big plays from the offense during regulation.

Things did not start well for the Tigers, who took the game's opening possession. They attempted three passes, and the third one was picked off by Grant Byrne and returned 20 yards for a touchdown just 20 seconds into the game.

Smith capped an 87-yard Red Devils drive with a 5-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter for Chaminade's final points in regulation.

Central had its chances in the first half, especially in the waning moments. Quarterback Dennis Vinson was stopped inside the Red Devil 5-yard line on the final play of the half. The Tigers had taken possession at their own 20 after a missed field goal by Chaminade.

Chaminade lost the football and the momentum when Smith fumbled the kickoff to start the second half. Central reached the red zone but lost possession on a fumble by Jacob Campbell.

The Tigers finally broke through when Mikey Jones ran for an 82-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.

Central later had first-and-goal at the Red Devils 1 in the fourth quarter but went backwards on four plays and lost possession on downs. The Tigers ultimately tied the game on a 39-yard run by Jacob Campbell with less than four minutes to play.

That set up the overtime drama, and eventually the fifth consecutive loss for the Tigers.

"I thought we had it in overtime, but you never know with this game" Margetta said. "It has been crazy the last few games. We just have to keep our heads up and get tougher mentally and physically."

Norman pointed to the mental part of the game.

"We have just not been good under pressure," Norman said. "We don't use our brains when the game is on the line or there is a big down. We had our chances and just couldn't get it done."

Campbell was a workhorse in the absence of Chris Martin. He ran the ball 38 times for 171 yards. Jones added 116 yards on just six carries.

Central fell to 2-6, while Chaminade improved to 3-5.

Central 0 0 7 7 0 0 -- 14

Chaminade 14 0 0 0 0 7 -- 21

First quarter

CH -- Grant Byrne 20-yard pass interception (Thomas Martin kick), 11:40.

CH -- Justin Smith 5-yard run (Martin kick), 1:44.

Third quarter

C -- Mikey Jones 82-yard run (Calvin Lovig kick), 1:32.

Fourth quarter

C -- Jacob Campbell 39-yard run (Lovig kick), 3:57.

Second overtime

CH -- Smith 19-yard run (Martin kick).

Central

First downs 14

Penalties 7-55

Punts 3-37

Fumbles/lost 2-2

Individual

Passing -- Central: Dennis Vinson 2-9-2-42.

Receiving -- Central: Garan Evans 1-5, Campbell 1-37.

Rushing -- Central: Campbell 38-171, Mikey Jones 6-116, Dennis Vinson 12-(-11).