Sports
Vikings Slay State Champion Dragons in Last-Minute Playoff Thriller
Walled Lake Central High School beats Lake Orion High School 20-17, advances to Round Two of MHSAA tournament.
Coming into the Division 1 playoff game with a 6-3 record each, and Walled Lake Central high schools helped kick off the MHSAA Tournament Friday night on the Dragons' home turf. In the end, the defending state champions would fall to Walled Lake Central High School.
Walled Lake Central started off the game with 10 unanswered points, but by the end of the first half, the score was tied at 10 each.
Both teams' quarterbacks scored touchdowns in the third quarter. Zac Leimbach ran one in for Walled Lake Central and Sean Charette scored for the Dragons.
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In the final two minutes of the game, Walled Lake Central faked a punt and threw a first down completion caught by defensive back Joe Preni. The play brought them within the 30 yard line.
With seconds left on the clock, Walled Lake Central scored a field goal to win the game.
Find out what's happening in Oakland Township-Lake Orionwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Hopeful for another state run this year, Lake Orion's head coach Chris Bell said to his team after the game: "I'm proud of you from the stand point of the kids that you are. I'm proud of you for the effort. I'm proud of you for going toe to toe (and) coming back from last week. I'm disappointed for all of us that we didn't get it done."
He added, "My challenge for you is to handle yourself with the same class and dignity tonight after a loss as you have after victory."
Walled Lake Central will advance to Round Two of the Division 1 playoffs.
