Lee's Field Goal Lifts Whitman Past Seneca Valley in OT, 16-13

26-Yard Kick Keeps Alive Vikings' Playoff Hopes

Whitman's long-range kicker, junior Danny Parris, was about to trot onto the field to attempt a game-winning field goal in overtime Friday at Seneca Valley. But at the last second, Coach Jim Kuhn looked back over his shoulder at senior Danny Lee, who kicks the Vikings' extra points.

"He said, 'Do you want this?'" Lee said. "I said, 'Yeah.' As soon as I said it, I thought, 'This might be a bad idea.'"

It wasn't. Lee, who also made the game's decisive defensive play, nailed the 26-yard field goal that lifted Whitman over host Seneca Valley, 16-13, and put it in control of its playoff future with one game remaining.

The Vikings (7-2) are in a three-way chase for the final two 4A West region berths with Springbrook (6-3) and Churchill (7-2), their opponents next Friday. Seneca Valley (5-4) needs a win over Watkins Mill and a loss by Clarksburg next week just to have a chance to qualify for the 3A West Region playoffs.

"Nights like tonight is what kids remember," Whitman Coach Jim Kuhn said.

The teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, Whitman first on a Kevin Cecala three-yard run and the Screaming Eagles when sophomore Tanner Vallely found Bryan Ikossie from five yards. The Vikings' two-point conversion attempt failed, but they blocked Seneca Valley's extra point to stay alive.

The Eagles got the ball first in the second overtime, and three Bernard Wolley runs got them inside the 1-yard line. On fourth and goal, Wolley got the ball again and was met immediately by Lee ¿ a 215-pound counterpart during the wrestling season ¿ to kill the drive.

"It was a great call by our defensive coordinator, Andy Lee," Lee said. "We went with an all-out blitz, and I came completely free. He practically fell into me."

Whitman controlled regulation, despite actually being outgained by Seneca Valley, 192-154. The Eagles muffed two punts, the first leading directly to quarterback Henry Kuhn's one-yard sneak in the first quarter and the second tilting field position in the Vikings' favor early in the second half.

Whitman also recovered an onside kick to start the second half and a first-quarter fumble when Seneca Valley had second-and-goal.

"Coach Kuhn preaches playing a perfect game without mistakes," Danny Lee said. "In a game like this between two playoff-contending teams, it comes down to the little details."

Vallely, who also threw for the Eagles' regulation touchdown, was playing in relief of junior Max Nicholson, who missed the game with a sprained ankle. Wide receiver Dimitri Parker also did not play for Seneca Valley.

This story is from The Gazette group of community newspapers published by Post-Newsweek Media, a unit of The Washington Post Co.