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Pittsburgh Central Catholic is one of Pennsylvania’s most storied high school football programs. The school, which sits in the heart of the city not far from the University of Pittsburgh, is home to a number of former NFL stars.
Most notably, it’s the home to Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino. Marino would go on to star for the Panthers in college and then the Miami Dolphins.
But the 2022 season has not been kind to the Vikings. They lost their first game of the year to St. Edward’s (Ohio), 42-10, and had just a 3-4 record headed into Friday night’s matchup with fellow Pittsburgh power Penn Hills.
The Vikings trailed their opponents 28-27 with the clock stopped and under 10 seconds remaining. They lined up to attempt a 49-yard field to win the game, but the kick was blocked, sending Penn Hills and its fans into a frenzy.
But the game wasn’t over.
Pittsburgh Central Catholic Wins Wild High School Game With Blocked Kick TD
Though the kick was blocked, it never rolled past the line of scrimmage. So while Penn Hills celebrated, Central Catholic offensive lineman Anthony Shovlin had the wherewithal to scoop the ball up and run it 32 yards for a game-winning touchdown with no time left on the clock.
This might be the most insane finish to a football game I’ve ever seen. Central down 1, no time left, attempts a long FG, gets it blocked.
While Penn Hills celebrates, Central lineman recovers and advances the blocked kick for a TD.
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) October 15, 2022
Chris Ward of Pittsburgh Sports Now had further details about the absolutely insane play. But some fans on Twitter are now saying that the ball passed the line of scrimmage, and that the play should have been ruled dead.
You make the call? Crazy finish in PA, on block kick the ball remains live until it crosses LOS. This is a TD by ruling on the field. https://t.co/4yoQuVIEg6
— Shannon Griffith (@CoachGriff55) October 15, 2022
You make the call? Crazy finish in PA, on block kick the ball remains live until it crosses LOS. This is a TD by ruling on the field. https://t.co/4yoQuVIEg6
— Shannon Griffith (@CoachGriff55) October 15, 2022
Most fans, however, just couldn’t believe the insane turn of events for both teams.
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) October 15, 2022
Craziest way to either win or lose a game. WOWwwwww https://t.co/aWzUTtu2zw
— Charlie Batch (@CharlieBatch16) October 15, 2022
Central Catholic moved to 4-4 and on the edge of the playoff cut line with just two regular-season games remaining. The Vikings have not missed the postseason since 1999. If they get in this year, they may have some divine intervention to thank.