You Won’t Believe This Preposterous Ending To High School Football Game

This is unbelievable

An Alabama high school football state championship game Wednesday night produced one of the most ridiculous finishes you ever will see.

After forcing a turnover on downs, Auburn High School led Thompson High School by nine points with 1:18 remaining in the Alabama 7A state championship game. We repeat: Auburn had a nine-point lead and a first down with under 90 seconds remaining.

Oh, and Auburn was at Thompson’s 20-yard line.

Check out these two clips, including one of Auburn players celebrating what they thought was a clinched state title:

Then, the following happened:

— Three kneel-downs from shotgun formation (resulting in total loss of 25 yards), with Thompson twice using timeouts to stop the clock.
— (That’s right: Auburn, on the opponent’s 20-yard line, elected not to run the ball and/or kick a game-clinching field goal.)
— Blocked punt returned for touchdown with 18 seconds remaining.
— Onside kick recovered by Thompson at Auburn’s 46-yard line.
— Two pass-interference penalties, advancing ball to Auburn’s 18-yard line.
— Game-winning 35-yard field as time expired.
— Thompson wins, 29-28.

Behold:

So, is that more a thrilling victory or an agonizing defeat? Did Thompson win it or did Auburn lose it?

Either way, sports are crazy.

About the Author

Dakota Randall

Plymouth State/Boston University product from Wolfeboro, NH, who now is based in Rhode Island. Have worked at NESN since 2016, covering the Patriots since 2021. Might chat your ear off about Disney World, Halo 2, and Lord of the Rings.