Reviewed by: Liv George
Ohatchee football makes national headlines with thrilling season opener [VIDEO]
Reading time: 3 minutes
In what was already a Game of the Year candidate, Ohatchee High School needed one more play in the final moments of its season opener against New Hope.
And on the last play of the game, a Hail Mary was delivered.
Keep reading to experience the ending that has the Alabama high school football world talking.
Ohatchee 76, New Hope 71
The last play of the game is what caught the attention of state and national media but fans in attendance know the night was special well before the final buzzer.
Ohatchee led by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter but New Hope responded with a touchdown and a successful onside kick to make things interesting again. The visitors would score again before using the popular “Philly Special” on a 2-point conversion attempt to take a 71-70 lead with a minute to go.
“Don’t give up. We have a minute left and we’ve been scoring fast all night, just get within striking distance.”
~ Chris Findley, Ohatchee head coach
The hosts already had 10 touchdowns Friday and had 60 seconds to retake the lead. They needed every bit of that 60 seconds.
On the final snap, quarterback Jake Roberson dropped back to nearly midfield before unleashing a throw to the right side of the end zone. Colby Hester was there to battle with a host of defenders but the pass was tipped back, falling into the hands of Brayden Collins.
The catch sent the home sideline into a frenzy.
AHSAA history
The touchdown made the final score 76-71, marking the highest scoring regulation game in Alabama High School Athletic Association history. It is the second highest scoring game in AHSAA’s record books. The top 5 includes:
- 150—Central-Hayneville 78, Billingsley 72, 2023 (3 Overtimes)
- 148—Ohatchee 76, New Hope 71, 2024
- 146—Childersburg 82, Central Coosa 64, 2016
- 139—Central-Florence 70, Westminster Christian 69, 2022
- 139—Parrish 81, Hubbertville 58, 2003
Findley said this is all very new to a program that played a ball-control, deliberate wing offense in recent seasons. Games used to end in less than two hours but Friday’s season opener nearly hit the four-hour mark.
“It is really neat. It’s the style we’ve wanted to play. We want to be up tempo and we want to score points. It’s good to see us scoring like that. Being a part of that, seeing it pop up on the national stuff is really cool.”
~ Chris Findley
What’s next for Ohatchee?
Findley admitted he hopes the defense can improve as the season goes on but he gave the team the weekend to celebrate Friday’s special win. But now, a chase for the team’s first region title since 2019 begins.
“We get right into region play now with two of the best teams in our region. There’s really no time to waste. And that’s really kind of a blessing.”
~ Chris Findley
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