There was a lot riding on the final moments of Friday’s game between Oklahoma high schools Ardmore and Duncan. As if the moment was scripted for some hokey sports movie, both teams needed the win to earn a state playoff spot and the game was tied at 24 with 12 seconds to go.
Rather than let time expire, Duncan decided to try to go for a deep pass. That’s when Ardmore free safety Jeremiah Johnson sprung into action, intercepted the ball and decided the playoff fates of both teams.
I thought he was going for a hitch or a go (route),” Johnson told the Daily Armoreite. “‘I know he’s going deep.’ He got me. ‘I can still undercut it if I get there in time.’ I saw him throw it: ‘That’s my pick. Go get it.’ I just knew it was coming. You’ve just got to be patient. That’s what I was told right before the play: ‘Get it and go.’
Johnson returned the ball 75 yards for the score as time expired. The resulting 30-24 win propelled Ardmore into the third seed of their playoffs while it also eliminated Duncan’s playoff hopes at the same time. Did I mention that this sounds like a cliched sports movie plot? Because this sounds like a cliched sports movie plot BUT IT’S REAL LIFE.
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