By DINA PIERCE

Press Contributor

LONDON – Justin Wolverton scored two touchdowns and Ethan Freet snared two interceptions and blocked an extra point to lead London’s Red Raiders past Miami Trace, 29-19 in an SCOL game Friday night.

It looked like a game that would go down to the wire until Freet’s first interception, when he cut in front of a receiver and went untouched down the sideline for a 44-yard touchdown. The points put a close game out of reach with just 53 seconds to play.

“You had to figure whoever had the ball last might win,” London coach Bill Dennis said.

Standing nearby while Dennis spoke after the game, Miami Trace coach Mike Bernard agreed.

“It’s like coach Dennis said, whoever had the ball last had the advantage. It was a game of punch and counterpunch.”

Panther fans had to feel especially good when their offense took over after Wolverton’s four-yard touchdown put London ahead with three minutes to go. Every other time London had scored, the Panthers had no trouble answering.

This time, Freet was waiting. Starting from their 16-yard line with 2:57 left, the Panthers slowly moved downfield, getting a first down at their 43 with a minute to play.

Quarterback Caleb Redding dropped back and threw short to the sideline. But Freet stepped in front of the receiver for the pick.

“That kid made a great play. He really jumped on that hitch route. Freet is an outstanding athlete. We knew they had some playmakers,” Bernard said.

For an encore, Freet intercepted Redding again with 10 seconds left in the game.

Miami Trace opened the game with a 10-play, 65-yard drive, scoring on a 5-yard run by Tom Armstrong. It was the only score in the first half, although the Panthers lost a touchdown in the second quarter after a holding penalty. They ended up trying a 32-yard field goal, but Brett Garland’s kick was wide left.

London had opened the second half with a four-play game-tying drive capped by Wolverton’s 31-yard touchdown run. The Panthers answered immediately, going 62 yards in seven plays to regain the lead on a 21-yard run by Grant Jones.

But Freet sailed in to block the extra point, keeping the Panthers’ lead at 13-7.

It became a key play when London scored in the fourth quarter. Marcus Redmond scored on a 14-yard run that looked like a dead play when Wolverton was stopped at the line of scrimmage. But just before being tackled, he pitched to Redmond who sped down the sideline and dove into the end zone. Nick Newman’s extra point put the Red Raiders up 14-13.

As before, the Panthers answered quickly, getting a 10-yard touchdown run from Jones. The extra point sailed left and Miami Trace had a precarious 19-14 lead with 6:52 left in the game.

“This was two teams slugging it out. Those guys kept answering back, but our kids stepped up at the end,” Dennis said. “Our seniors really stepped up at the right time.”

London’s game-winning drive included a key second down pass from Wolverton to Redmond that netted 28 yards, plus another 15 after a late hit out-of-bounds. It set up first and 10 at the Panther 22. After Wolverton scored the go-ahead touchdown, London took a three-point lead, 22-19 when Redmond caught the 2-point conversion pass from Wolverton.

The playmakers for London, 3-4, included Redmond, who finished with 21 yards rushing and 50 receiving, and Jimmy Eddelmon with 51 yards rushing.

The Panthers (3-4 overall, 1-2 SCOL) have their Homecoming game Friday night against the McClain Tigers. McClain lost to league-leading Clinton-Massie last night, 54-16.

London will travel down to Hillsboro next week.

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