Published: November 02, 2008 01:41 am      

Vikings’ chances blown dead

NORMAL — Danville sophomore Eddie Clark has scored this season on a running play, a kickoff return and an interception return.

With 18 seconds left in a scoreless tie with Normal Community in a first round Class 6A playoff contest, it appeared Clark had a 70-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

But, a whistle from the far sideline had blown the play dead, as the official on the Ironmen sideline felt that running back Travis Mullen was down.

One play later, the Ironmen’s Chad Hinshaw took a handoff around right end for a 29-yard touchdown run as Normal Community escaped with a 7-0 victory over Danville.

“It’s frustrating to think that you made a big play to put the game away, but turnaround and get beat,’’ Danville coach B.J. Luke said. “It’s a real tough situation, give Normal credit for taking advantage of that situation. They are used to winning and they take advantage.

“We played just super. Our kids played with high intensity. It was fun to watch our kids fly around and play the game the way like it is supposed to be played. I feel real bad because it’s a game we played well enough to win.’’

Did Luke get an explanation why the Clark fumble return was called back.

“There was none,’’ he said. “I didn’t get explanation. The only thing I saw, was the (official) closest to the play throw his bean bag, signaling a fumble.’’

Clark and Mario Crosby, who made the tackle on disputed play, say there was no doubt about it being a fumble.

“It was plain and clear to see that he wasn’t on the ground,’’ Clark said. “He was up, still trying to run the ball and I took it from him.

“It was a clean strip.’’

Crosby said, “It was fair and square. I hit him and Eddie took the ball away from him.’’

Clark said he never heard the whistle.

“I was thinking the game was over and that’s it,’’ he said.

Instead, Normal Community got a second life. Hinshaw made the most of it with his run around left end.

“When I saw that hole, my eyes went up and it was like, ‘I’m going to score, this is amazing,’” he said.

Mullen, who ran for 232 yards against the Vikings two weeks ago, was held to just 67 yards on 21 attempts, and 34 of those came on his final two carries on the Ironmen game-winning scoring drive.

“I’m glad with how we played, but I’m not happy with the outcome,’’ Danville senior linebacker Glenn Rowell said. “They popped a big one on us, before we got a big one on them.’’

Normal Community finished with just 174 yards of total offense and 63 of them came on the final drive.

“Defense played like we expected them to play and they played like they did early in the year when they were healthy,’’ Luke said. “We were healthy today for the first time in a quite a few weeks.

“I expect us to play that way. That is the way that Danville is going to play and we are going to play that way for a long time. So these people in Normal better get used to that.’’

Hinshaw admitted that he was impressed with the defensive performance by the Vikings (7-3), especially how they held Mullen to 33 yards on 19 carries until the final drive.

“Danville did a fantastic job,’’ he said. “I couldn’t believe that Travis was getting held back, but he really was. I give all the credit to them. They worked real hard all week and stepped up their game.’’

Normal Community coach Wes Temples pointed out that Danville won every statistical category: first downs (19-8), rushing (181-77), passing (123-97) and time of possession (29:52-18:08).

“Danville played one heck of the game,’’ he said. “They probably outplayed us in all facets of the game, but some how, some way, we were able to get points up there.’’

The Vikings actually felt that they should have been on the scoreboard first.

Crosby, who rushed for 158 yards on 34 carries, had two cracks at the end zone on quarterback sneaks in the first quarter.

Each time, the officials ruled that he was down, short of the end zone.

“I felt that I was in on both of those quarterback sneaks,’’ said Crosby, who had 13 rushing touchdowns this season. “But, it happens. I’m speechless about it.

“If we would have finish that drive in the first quarter that would have helped us greatly.’’

Temples said looking back that was a huge stop for his Ironmen (9-1).

“That is probably the difference in the game,’’ he said. “It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t a real good game for us, and Danville deserves a lot of the credit for that.’’

Crosby, who finished the year with 1,145 rushing yards, said it was the best game the Vikings have played all year.

“We came out and punch them hard,’’ he said. “We got the yards. The only thing missing was the touchdowns.

“Everything was good on the field, but we missed the scores on the board.’’

One of the key contributors for the Danville offense on Saturday was senior quarterback Jeff Harris, who was 12-of-24 for 123 yards and he ran the ball seven times for 20 yards.

“We came out and played Danville football,’’ Harris said. “This is a win for Danville. We feel like we came out and played our best. We played Danville football and we deserved to win.’’

Luke said this loss will linger with him until they play Normal Community again and beat them.

“We have to get in the weight room in the offseason and make ourselves better so that we are ready next year to get after these guys again,’’ he said. “We are going a little bigger, stronger and faster in a year.’’

Normal Community advances to play Bloomington in the second round. The Purple Raiders and the Ironmen shared the Big 12 Conference title with Bloomington beating Normal Community 8-6 earlier this season.

The Purple Raiders (9-1) only loss this season was a 34-27 double overtime setback against the Vikings to start the season.