Adrian comes back in second half and takes down Saline, 34-31, in OT

Saline running back Mitch Osudchuck lunges forward in an effort to gain more yards against Adrian in Saline's 34-31 overtime loss.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

A year after the Saline High School football traveled to Adrian and beat the Maples in double overtime, Adrian came to town Friday night and returned the favor, defeating the Hornets 34-31 in OT.

The Hornets (1-1, 0-1 SEC Red) took the first possession of overtime but had to settle for a 22-yard Dylan Mulder field goal. Adrian (2-0, 1-0 SEC White) then scored the winning touchdown on the second play of their ensuing possession, as Nick Amador caught a short pass on an underneath route, dashed for the sideline, and dove through the corner pylon for the score.

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It was a thrilling end to game that had gone back and forth.

Saline led 21-7 at halftime, scoring all 21 of those points in the second quarter, but couldn't hold off the Maples' second half attack.

"We did some good things tonight," said Saline head coach Mike Glennie, "but we can't have errors in the second half like we did and expect to beat a good team."

The Hornets built their 14-point halftime lead largely on the running of senior Garrett Gordon, who had 88 yards on 18 carries in the opening half. But Saline's only drive of the third quarter was a three-and-out, and they found the game tied by 8:46 of the fourth quarter.

But then Saline again found its stride, as Gordon capped an 11-play, 82-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run that came on a key third-and-10. The successful point after left the Maples down 28-21 with just 3:24 left on the clock, and desperately needing a touchdown.

Adrian quarterback Sebastian Johnson played brilliantly all night, completing 18-of-23 passes for 192 yards. With Johnson under center, the Maples needed just 91 seconds to tie the game.

Johnson was 6-for-7 on the drive, which ended with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Codie Nolan. Saline failed to gain a first down on the next possession, which forced the game into overtime.

"We fought through adversity," said Adrian head coach Phil Jacobs. "I think we came together as a team and we persevered tonight. "

The adversity Jacobs spoke of was, largely, three turnovers -- including a muffed kickoff that Saline recovered on the 2-yard line and capitalized on with a Justin Barnes touchdown run on the very next play, the second Hornet touchdown in 10 seconds. But Johnson's steady hand, and a revitalized running game that had been dormant in the first half, allowed the Maples to come back after halftime.

"We kept our poise," said Jacobs. "We felt we could score in the second half, and we found ways to get it done."

It was a tough loss for the Hornets, who outgained Adrian on the ground 180 to 99.

"The kids came out and played physical and moved the chains and tried to control the clock," Glennie said. "I think the kids are hungry. They have a lot of pride, a lot of character. This one will hurt, but they'll come back and have a great week of practice."

It was the third straight year the two teams have met up for a nail-biter.

"I talked to coach Glennie after the game," Jacobs said. "I asked him, ‘is it gonna be like this every year?'"

Maybe so, but the Hornets will be hoping the next meeting will have a different ending.

- by AnnArbor.com contributor Bison Collin Messink