CHAFFEE SUFFERS HEARTBREAKING OVERTIME SETBACK

CHAFFEE -- It was more than just a late-season game between two high school football teams with a combined total of three wins entering the contest.

For Chaffee and Thayer, Friday night's game at Chaffee was an opportunity for the two Class 1A schools to add a positive note to a season of tough losses to bigger schools.

After both teams struggled to hang on to the ball for three quarters, the pressure of the fourth period breathed life into the game.

After a scoreless first three quarters, Thayer (3-6) struck first, but Chaffee (1-8) promptly answered to send the game into overtime.

But the Red Devils' well went dry as their first possession of overtime was stopped, and the Bobcats kicked a field goal to take a heart-breaking 11-8 triumph.

"We had our chances -- it was just a hard game to lose," said Chaffee coach Mick Wessel. "The kids played hard, you can't ask any more of them."

It was both teams' first game of the year against a team in its own class, which added much intensity to a seemingly inconsequential game.

"I don't think people realize the difficulty of playing the big teams we play," said Wessel. "The kids thought this was a game they could be in, and they were in it. We played well. I'm proud of the kids."

Thayer coach David Meek said the game was very meaningful for his team.

"When you play big schools all season and you get a chance to play a team you're size, you're going to put forth a good effort and both teams did," said Meek.

After a first three quarters which were marred by four fumbles and two interceptions, Thayer moved the ball 80 yards on its first possession of the fourth quarter.

Bobcat running back Eric Clark, who rushed for 195 yards on 33 carries, had a 6-yard touchdown run with 3:53 left in the game. Clark ran in the two-point conversion to make the score 8-0.

On the ensuing possession, Chaffee took advantage of two penalties called on Thayer for 20 yards in moving the ball 35 yards to the Thayer 26-yard line. Then, with 1:57 remaining in the contest, Chaffee's Jason Mott hooked up with Jeremy Graviett for a 26-yard score. Jimmy Wolsey ran the ball to score the two-point conversion to tie the game at 8-8.

Graviett came up big again late in the game as he intercepted a pass from Thayer's freshman quarterback Josh Atkisson on the first play of the next possession. But the Red Devils were forced to punt after taking over the ball, and the game went to overtime.

Chaffee had the ball first in overtime, but failed to score after three incomplete passes and a rush for a loss.

After Thayer moved the ball only three yards after three downs, Adam Griffin kicked the field goal on fourth down to win the game.

Graviett had a productive game overall to lead Chaffee. He rushed for 90 yards on only four carries, caught two passes for 67 yards, scored a touchdown and had an interception.

Chaffee closes out the season next Friday at home against St. Vincent.