Pioneer receiver Kyle Foster shows the referee that he maintained possession of the ball after catching the game-winning two-point conversion in Pioneer's 22-21 win over Chelsea.

Alan Warren | Special to AnnArbor.com

After just scoring a touchdown, but still trailing 21-20 late in the fourth quarter, it was decision time for Pioneer High School football coach Jeremy Gold.

“Go for the tie at home, and the win on the road.” So says the old coaching adage, but with the Pioneers' playoff hopes on the line, Gold put his trust in the hands of his offense, and it paid off.

As soon as quarterback Andy Creal received the shotgun snap, he released it to his right, where Kyle Foster was running a short post against one-on-one coverage.

Foster fell to the ground and the referee stood above him. The crowd at Hollway Stadium fell silent until Foster extended his arm, revealing to the ref that he had maintained possession. The referee raised his arms over his head and Pioneer had a 22-21 lead with 3 minutes, 4 seconds remaining in the game, its first since the first quarter.

In a game where three-and out drives and punts far outnumbered completions and big plays, Chelsea suddenly had to drive 68 yards with no timeouts at its disposal.

The task was too tall for the Bulldogs, and after Reilly Quigley intercepted a desperation throw on fourth down, the Pioneers’ playoff hopes lived to fight another day.

Creal had completed just five passes all night for 68 yards and had an interception in the red zone early in the first quarter, but Gold said he never wavered on the final call.