Last-second touchdown, OT score lift Niles
By Steve Ruman
CANFIELD
“Parry.”
It’s a seldom-used word which, according to Webster’s Dictionary, means “To ward off; To evade or dodge.”
On Friday at Bob Dove Field in Canfield, the Niles High football team parried its way to the most incredible of victories.
With just seven-tenths of a second showing on the clock and Niles trailing 21-14, junior Chris Parry pulled in a 24-yard touchdown pass from Stefan Yuhas to give the Red Dragons new life. Following an extra point which sent the game into overtime, the Dragons scored on a Yuhas 1-yard run to defeat the Cardinals 27-21.
The Dragons’ last-second heroics were set up by a trio of other key plays made by Parry. He pulled in a pair of second-half interceptions, and also pinned Canfield (2-4, 1-2 All-American Conference American Division) at its own 3-yard-line on a 38-yard punt in the fourth quarter.
Parry stands just 5-foot-9 and weights 145 pounds on a team otherwise known for its mammoth size.
“Chris came up huge today. He’s a kid I can’t say enough about,” said Niles coach Brian Shaner. “Sometimes he is overlooked because of his size, but he’s tough as nails and he has phenomenal hands. Tonight he was Mr. Clutch.”
Yuhas completed 11-of-15 passes for 143 yards. He also carried the ball 35 times for 164 yards. John Cicero added 94 yards on 17 rushing attempts.
Canfield grounded out 320 rushing yards, led by quarterback Kimu Kim (23 carries, 150 yards). Nick Annichenni (12 rushes, 94 yards) scored a pair of touchdowns.
Canfield rallied for a pair of fourth-quarter scores to put Niles (6-0, 3-0) behind for the first time this season.
Annichenni scored from 15 yards out with 10:30 left in the game to tie it at 14-14. Following a change of possessions, Niles drove to the Canfield 5 before turning the ball over on downs.
Canfield then marched 95 yards in just seven plays. Annichenni capped the drive with a 42-yard burst, giving the Cardinals a 21-14 lead with 59 seconds left.
Niles took possession at its 36, and needed just six plays to score the game-tying touchdown. Parry pulled in a 30-yard pass to get the ball to the 24. Following a pair of incompletions, the Dragons hit paydirt.
“When we fell behind, it was like a switch got flicked,” Shaner said. “Everyone got excited, and they went out there and executed.”
Canfield took first possession in overtime and turned the ball over on a fumble. Niles then turned to Cicero on five straight running plays before Yuhas scored the game-winner.
“This team has more heart than any team I’ve ever been associated with,” Parry said. “When we were down, our coaches told us to simply go and do what we’re supposed to do. We never panicked.”
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