Dramatic 2-point try works in final seconds, 9-0 Webb is region champ
KNOXVILLE — It’s getting easier to think destiny this season is on the side of Webb School of Knoxville.
Against Chattanooga Christian School on Webb Senior Night Friday, Oct. 28, in David Meske Stadium, the Spartans scored a touchdown to pull within one, 28-27, with just nine seconds left in the game.
Meske, in his 38th and final year as Webb head coach, made the decision to go for two to try to win the game outright rather than kick a game-tying extra point.
Quarterback Charlie Robinson scrambled right and appeared to be in big trouble. He then threw back toward the middle to freshman superstar-in-the-making Shavar Young, who’d gotten open.
Young hauled it in, and the Spartans had pulled off a wild 29-28 comeback win that gave them a perfect 9-0 season and the Division II-AA East Region championship.
“It shows if we stick with it, if you stay focused and you stay disciplined and put all your focus on execution, you’re gonna have a chance,” Meske said.
“The last drive, our backs were against the wall,” he added. “We had to score to tie or win. I’m proud we had the confidence and composure to stick together and win it.”
The win gives Webb a bye in the first round of the state playoffs, which begin Friday, Nov. 4.
The game-winning drive started on Webb’s 41 with 4:23 left in the fourth, and came down to a fourth-and-goal from the CCS 1. Robinson took the snap and plunged forward into the scrum. Several seconds went by before the referee signaled a touchdown.
“That last drive was the most important,” Robinson said. “Kept the momentum going. We realized what we had to do … put it in the right hands and score.”
For the game, Robinson was 15 of 25 for 158 yards, two scores and a pick. He rushed for the other two as part of his 100 yards on 22 carries.
Webb led 6-0 with 9:30 left in the first when Robinson finished a game-opening drive with an 11-yard scoring run around the right side.
CCS led 14-6, but Webb cut it to 14-12 with 40 seconds left in the half. Robinson connected with Markeis Barrett from 19 yards.
Robinson found Young in the back of the end zone for the two-point conversion to tie it at 14 at the half. Young had 10 catches in the game for 102 yards and a score.
A 4-yard Robinson-to-Young hookup tied the score 21-21 before the Chargers took a 28-21 lead on a 39-yard TD run with just 4:23 left in the game.
Webb then began its dramatic, game-winning drive. Meske was asked about destiny.
“We’ll find that out,” he said. “I know this: this football team is gonna play hard every night and they’ll give it everything they have. “I’m proud of them. I’m proud I’m their coach.”
“This gives us a big confidence booster,” Young said. “This was a big game. We knew we were gonna struggle, but we had to overcome it.”
Webb will host a second-round playoff game Friday, Nov. 11. Meske is seeking his eighth state title.
“We’re gonna keep going,” Robinson said. “This is the beginning.”
