New Castle edges Highlands in double OT despite Cohen’s passing records

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, September 9, 2017 | 12:18 AM

It was a record breaking night for Highlands quarterback Seth Cohen. With all eyes on Ohio State recruit Marcus Hooker, Cohen wanted in on the fun.

The junior threw for 412 yards and seven touchdowns, both school records, but New Castle edged the Golden Rams, 48-47, in double overtime in a Class 4A Northwest Nine game Friday at Golden Rams Stadium.

With the Golden Rams (1-1, 1-1) down 34-26 and 5 minutes, 51 seconds left in regulation, Cohen and the offense rallied. On third and 10, Cohen threw a 55-yard touchdown to senior receiver Ryan Signorella. Cohen then found senior receiver Romello Freeman for the two-point conversion to tie the game at 34.

On the following possession the Red Hurricanes (1-2, 1-1) drove down to the Highlands 42, but the Highlands defense stood tall. On third down, they stuffed Hooker for no gain. The senior running back also was injured on that play and didn't return. On fourth down, a pass by sophomore quarterback Daniel Minenok fell incomplete and Highlands took over on downs, and the game went into overtime.

Cohen quickly threw his sixth touchdown of the game, finding sophomore receiver Johnny Crise for a 10-yard score. Jaci Bower added the extra point and Highlands took a 41-34 lead. New Castle answered on fourth and goal from the 5, as Minenok found senior fullback Mark Torsello to tie the game.

New Castle began the second overtime period on offense, and on third and 5, sophomore Demetris McKnight took the jet sweep and sprinted for a touchdown to give New Castle a 48-41 lead.

Highlands answered as Cohen threw his seventh touchdown, connecting with Freeman for the second time to pull Highlands within one point. Highlands coach Dom Girardi decided to go for two points and the win, but Cohen's pass fell incomplete.

“I felt like they had a hard time stopping us,” Girardi said on the two-point attempt. “I thought why not go one more play, and just end it with the win? I'm not going to beat myself up over it and second guess myself. I would do it again. I believe in my kids.”

Hooker finished with 262 yards and four touchdowns on 40 carries. He is day-to-day with what the coaches described as an ankle injury.

“It was a fun football game to watch,” New Castle coach Joe Cowart said. “It put about 10 years of age on my life. Marcus is banged up, and he's been banged up for a few weeks. He's our horse and we knew if we are going to win football games in this league we're going to have to ride that guy.”

While it was nice to get in the Highlands record books, a win would've made it that much sweeter for Cohen.

“It feels pretty good, but I'd like to do better,” an emotional Cohen said after the game. “I never had a doubt in my mind. I just kept throwing touchdowns, and my receivers got it.”

DJ Vasil is a freelance writer.

Tags: Highlands, New Castle