The second week of high school football was one to remember for at least two ranked Class AAA programs.
No. 10 Westside-Macon outlasted Harris County, and No. 6 Westminster won its first game against Greater Atlanta Christian since Sept. 17, 2008 in thrilling fashion.
Westminster's grit and determination late in the game earned the victory, coach Gerry Romberg's 199th, after GAC took a 21-10 lead with 8:20 left.
"Our players have resilience," Westminster coach Gerry Romberg told Stan Awtrey, who covered the game for the AJC. "When things go bad, they keep playing. We've still got a lot of work to do, but we're excited about where we are right now."
Westminster's 84-yard touchdown pass from Parks Harber to Paul Weathington pulled the Wildcats to within five points, 21-16, with 7:45 remaining. Following the missed two-point conversion, it looked as if GAC dodged a bullet and when Josh Rose broke a long run before being tackled by John Izlar at the 5-yard line, it looked over.
But Westminster stayed in the game and two plays later, Rose attempted a pass to the left corner, but Westminster's Chance Loeffler intercepted and, as Romberg told Awtrey, "everything changed."
Westminster mounted a game-winning drive, highlighted by Harber's pass to Izlar (80 yards) which got the Wildcats out of a third-and-26 situation following a face-mask penalty. Izlar's catch set up Will Hallmark's game-winning goal-line touchdown from the five yard line.
"We were down 11 at halftime, and that's the thing with this team -- we never give up," Loeffler said. "This senior class ... we've been playing together for six years, and that's something we came together before the year and said we'd never give up."
The Wildcats' victory will shake up the top 10 and likely move Westminster to at least fifth in the polls, if not higher. GAC is likely to slide from third to sixth or lower.
Westside-Macon won a gritty game in overtime against Class AAAA Harris County on the road. The victory kept the Seminoles unbeaten, following a 21-0 thrashing of Southwest in Week 1.
"It shows just the resilience from our team," said Westside coach Sheddrick "Spoon" Risper. "This senior group, the majority of them, about 95 percent of them have been starters since they were in 10th grade. Now they've grown up and have gotten a lot more mature. They showed maturity tonight. From being up and then letting a team take us into overtime and even going down to the last play."
Once in overtime, Harris County took a 24-21 lead on a field goal. On fourth down, and within striking distance, Risper elected to try for the game-winning touchdown rather than tie the game. Tyshaun Freeman's diving score gave the Seminoles the victory.
Westside is likely to climb a few spots in the upcoming polls.
Here's the Class AAA Top 10 fared:
1. (1) Calhoun (1-0): Off before hosting Therrell on Aug. 31.
2. (2) Cedar Grove (1-0): Plays Alabama's Hewitt-Trussville at 3 p.m. on Saturday on ESPN.
3. (3) Greater Atlanta Christian (1-1): Lost to Westminster 22-21 (see above).
4. (4) Peach County (0-0): Facing Class AAAAAA No. 3 Northside-Warner Robins on Saturday at Mercer.
5. (5) Benedictine (1-0): Travels to Class AAAA No. 1 Blessed Trinity on Sept. 7.
6. (8) Westminster (2-0): Defeated GAC 22-21 at GAC (see above).
7. (7) Lovett (0-2): Lost to Marist 40-20.
8. (9) Liberty County (1-0): Beat Bradwell Institute 40-17.
9. (6) Jefferson (0-1): Travels to West Hall on Aug. 31
10. (NR) Westside-Macon (2-0): Defeated Harris County 27-24 in overtime (see above).
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