Congrats, Maddie!

Lenoir City place-kicker Maddie Williams delivers the eventual winning extra point with two minutes remaining Friday at Heritage. Photo by Brian Elrod

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

Our team lost, but that’s no reason to steal her thunder.

Heritage fell in a heartbreaker, 21-20, on Friday when a bad snap on an extra point with 22 seconds remaining forced holder Tristen Hurst to attempt a desperation heave for two.

A Panthers defender knocked down the pass at the goal line to preserve the lead.

Minutes earlier, Lenoir City experienced similar misfortune after the go-ahead score, but the holder somehow got the ball on the tee. Panthers place-kicker Maddie Williams kept her cool and drilled it, a boot that would have easily been good from 40 yards.

Personally, it’s the first time we’ve ever seen a girl score the winning points in a high school football game in Blount County. Haven’t seen it anywhere else, either.

Congratulations, Maddie.