The West Central Trojan football team saw a 20-3 lead slip away in the fourth quarter, but they rallied in their final drive to score a touchdown in the final seconds for a 27-24 win over the Sioux Falls Christian Chargers at home on Friday, September 2nd.
The Chargers scored first in a defensive first half. Sioux Falls Christian got a 23-yard field goal with 1:30 to play in the opening quarter for a 3-0 lead. The Trojans took the lead late in the second quarter. Justin Zirpel had a 32-yard touchdown pass to Xzavian Ferris. Cambell Fischer made the extra point, and West Central lead 7-3 with 1:14 to play in the half. The score remained 7-3 at halftime.
The Trojans extended their lead on an 18-yard touchdown run by Zirpel with 4:35 to play in the third quarter. Fischer made the extra point to push the lead to 14-3. West Central scored again early in the fourth quarter. Zirpel had a 10-yard touchdown run this time. The extra point was no good, but the Trojans led 20-3 with 11:23 to play in the game.
That’s when the Chargers made their come back. Sioux Falls Christian scored on a three-yard touchdown run with 8:36 to go. The extra point was good, and the Chargers cut the lead to 20-10. The Charger defense then got an interception. A few plays later, Sioux Falls Christian was in the end zone on a 27-yard touchdown pass with 7:00 to play. After the extra point was made, the Chargers trailed by just three points, 20-17. The defense again made a big stop with another interception. The Charger offense put together a scoring drive off the turnover, and Sioux Falls Christian scored again on a seven-yard run with 3:19 left in the game, taking a 24-20 lead.
The Trojans, however, had one more drive, and they put together a great drive. West Central marched down the field, and with just :19 left on the clock, Zirpel scored on a three-yard run. Fischer made the extra point to put the Trojans back on top 27-24.
The Chargers made a one last deep pass in the final seconds, but the pass fell incomplete for the Trojan win.
