James Clemens edges Sparkman 31-30 in the best game of the year

MADISON — Time was running out for Sparkman.

The clock was running down like a boat that was taking too much water.

The undefeated Senators (5-1) were trailing 31-24 at James Clemens (5-2) on Friday with just 13.5 on the clock.

Sparkman was down to the Jets four-yard line, and it needed to make something happen fast.

The James Clemens band played a menacing anthem in the background as the crowd clad in Jets Blue roared with glee at Sparkman’s predicament.

It was as if they could see the hope evaporating from the Senators as they cheered.

Madison City Stadium was alive with emotion for this pivotal moment of a contest that might be the best game of the season.

Sparkman quarterback Josh Ward rolled out to the right side of the field desperately looking for a receiver to pass the ball to.

Ward continued to drift to the right and all of a sudden he tucked the pigskin and was charging toward the goal line.

The Senators quarterback had a full head of steam when he smashed into two James Clemens defenders with a crunch.

Ward was willing to give up his body to score the touchdown and the signal caller had found a way to make it 31-30 Jets with an extra point attempt looming.

Overtime appeared to be coming for these two schools who had left it all out on the field in this classic.

So many moments had led them to the brink of a 31-31 tie.

A Sparkman false start before the PAT caused the Senators to move back.

The crowd could smell the doubt starting to creep in.

What if they miss it?

That question was answered in a flash as the hold was slightly bobbled and the Sparkman kicker Christian Burrus found himself booting into a mass of James Clemens players who had crashed through the line like a tidal wave.

The football barely even left Burrus’ foot before it was swatted down to the turf like a piñata.

The James Clemens fans boomed a deafening “YEAH!” in unison as the ball rattled around harmlessly at the players’ feet.

The Jets had slayed a 5-0 team and bounced back from a tough loss to Muscle Shoals a week before.

For a total breakdown of this epic of a game, be sure to pick up a print copy of the Madison Record on Wednesday, Oct. 11.