The crowd at Texas Stadium witnessed an outstanding Quarter Final match up between Longview and Waco Midway. It was a hard fought battle that ended in a 35-35 tie as the gun sounded to end the fourth quarter sending the game into OT.
Midway scored a touchdown on their possession and added an extra point putting Longview in a must score position with the score 42-35 in favor of Midway. Tyler McCray scored for Longview putting the Lobos within 1 point for a tie or two points for the win.
Longview rolled the dice and went for all or nothing with an attempt at a 2 point conversion. Longview QB Aaron Johnson carried the ball on a quarterback draw that resulted in one of the most controversial wins in Texas high school playoff history.
Waco Midway fans likely wish instant replay was an option. Maybe I can help out in that regard as I shot the playoff games at Texas Stadium that weekend. For the final play I was positioned at the goal post with my Canon focused on the final seconds as they unfolded.
My camera shoots approximately 6 frames per second so this series captured the last 1.5 seconds of the game.
Frame 1: Time: 10:47:25 PM
Important points captured in frame 1 Longview QB Aaron Johnson has the ball and is running toward the goal line. Behind him and in the left frame you can see that Charles Kelly (41) Midway has his right hand on Johnsons right leg (see the black, white and gray glove). The white and red gloved left hand appears to be from a second Midway player, (9) Shakiel Randolfthat. Pay attention to where everyones feet are in the image as it helps to show motion. The ref is starting to move backwards as the action comes his way.
The QB is clearly running in this frame pushing off with his right leg with left knee on the rise. The highly recruited QB is 6 1 and accounted for 22 points and has a nose for the goal line. Based on where his feet are he can just about fall forward at this point and reach the goal line so he has to be stopped for Midway to win the game.
Frame 2 10:47:25 PM, .17 second ahead of the last shot
Longviews QBs left foot is now coming down and his hips turn toward the pull of Midways Kelly but the QB also starts to lean his shoulders toward the goal line. His forward foot is close to the 2 yard line.
The ref has moved half a step backwards with his heel in the air
Frame 3 10:47:25 PM, .17 second ahead of the last shot
The QBs right knee is coming up and his foot is clearly visible in the air indicating that he is still moving but Midways 41 is trying to secure that foot while Midway (9) has his hands around the QBs left leg
The ref is still moving backwards with heel now planted
Frame 4- 10:47:25 PM, .17 second ahead of the last shot
Other Midway players start to close in on the QB while (41) and (9) attempt to secure his legs. The ref continues to move backwards. This is usually a clear sign that the momentum is still heading his way. Take a look at his feet as his left foot takes another step backwards.
This is the vital last split second where you have to decide if he makes it or not. The QB is clearly moving forward and at 61 all he had to do is get the ball to break the plane of the goal line before his knee is down. Notice the QBs leg muscles are exploding in this frame as he goes for the goal line pushing off on Midway (41) and moving past Midway (9).
Frame 5 10:47:25 PM, .17 second ahead of the last shot
While only .17 of a second has taken place from the last frame the QB is now fully extended with the ball clearly across the plane of the goal line. Most people would likely agree that the QB is also down at this point.
The following frames are only .17 second apart and show another Midway player Dustin Bumgner hit the QB a moment too late to help Midway. The QBs other hand is still reaching forward to secure the ball right before the force of Bumgner hit rolls the QB from his side over on his back. The ball stays in the end zone and in control of the QB.
Frame 6 10:47:25 PM
Frame 7 10:47:26 PM
Frame 8 10:47:26 PM
Frame 9 10:47:26 PM
Had I been shooting the 10 frames per second Canon 1DMIII instead of the 6 frame per second camera that I was shooting perhaps the last second would be a bit more conclusive. As it stands Midway can hang on to their belief that they should have won while Longview has no doubt that they won.
Geryl