A 20-yard field goal by Mike Rivard in the final seconds of Haddonfield's SJ Group 2 semifinal football game against West Deptford on Friday (November 20) stunned the highly favored hosts, 15-13, and propelled the Dawgs into the regional final against defending champion Delsea.
Earlier in the game, the normally reliable Rivard had failed to convert Kevin Davis's 21-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and he was not given the opportunity to attempt the conversion of quarterback Phil Bhaya's one-yard run in the second.
According to Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer, coach Frank DeLano "looked his kicker in the eye and [with the game on the line] asked a simple question, 'Can you make it?'"
"Rivard didn't hesitate in his answer to the coach," Narducci wrote, "or his kick."
Haddonfield lost to West Deptford 35-13 earlier in the season. Last year, the Dawgs lost 43-0. Needless to say, they were the underdogs again on Friday.
CLICK HERE to link to "Rivard boots Haddonfield to victory" by Marc Narducci for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
CLICK HERE to link to "Rivard, Haddonfield stun West Deptford" by Bob Viggiano for the Courier-Post.
CLICK HERE to link to "Haddonfield stuns West Deptford" by Robert Edwards for the Star-Ledger.
