Graham beats Catholic Central on game’s final play

The play is called Buckshot, an appropriate name considering the Graham Falcons were down to their last shot against Catholic Central.

On the game’s final play late Friday night, Graham quarterback Gage Braun lofted a Hail Mary pass that landed in the arms of Austin Brayton for a dramatic 32-yard touchdown as time expired.

Players and coaches stormed the field to celebrate the stunning final play that gave Graham it first win and Catholic Central its first loss.

“Central is a much-improved team all the way across the board. It was big for our program to get a win like that,” said Graham first-year coach A.J. Woods.

“You know kids think about plays like that: I want to catch the game-winning touchdown with no time left on the clock. We were running out onto the field. It was a special moment for everybody. The kids enjoyed seeing it on film Saturday morning. We watched it a few times.”

The beginning of the play was equally dramatic. Braun grabbed a high snap, spun around to avoid a sack and was hit as he was throwing the ball. Brayton caught the ball at the 2-yard line and walked into the end zone.

“It’s one of those plays you’ll remember for the rest of your life,” Woods said. “You’ll come back in 20 years to watch the homecoming game and you’ll remember catching that touchdown pass in the end of the game.”

Braun finished with 14 completions in 21 attempts for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Brayton caught five passes for 70 yards and the game-winning TD. Tyle Powell added three catches for 86 yards and a score.

West Liberty-Salem 40, Ben Logan 31: Senior Trevor Anderson recorded 141 rushing yards on 35 carries with three touchdowns and Brandon Upton threw for 213 yards and two TDs, both to Dusty Moell, as the Tigers built a big lead and then held off a Ben Logan rally on Friday.

Derek Coy threw for 193 yards and four touchdowns to pace the Raiders.

It was West Liberty-Salem’s eighth straight win over Ben Logan.

North Union 55, Triad 35: Host Triad (0-2) held a one-point lead heading into the final quarter before allowing 21 unanswered points in a loss to North Union.

Trent McIntyre paced the Cardinals with 146 yards rushing and four touchdowns and 133 yards passing and a touchdown. Tim Marsalis had five catches for 49 yards and a touchdown along with 4 rushes for 33 yards.

Vandalia Butler 52, Tecumseh 0: Logan Flatt piled up 114 yards with three touchdowns on 19 carries and Chandler Craine finished 11-of-16 with 98 yards and two touchdowns to lead Vandalia.

The Aviators held the Arrows to 88 yards total yards while racking up 406, including 291 on the ground.

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