Stung: Oxford Scores with 24 Seconds Left in Game to Down West Chester East in a Thriller

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Willie McGonigle | October 5, 2024

WEST CHESTER: With injuries starting to mount on their team the Oxfords Hornets found themselves needing to make a few personnel changes. One of them was moving Jalen McClain to running back. With his twin brother Joel being sidelined earlier in the game Jalen stepped up hugely, with his team tied with West Chester East and facing a fourth down on the WCE 34 with 31 seconds left in regulation Jalen busted through the Viking defense and raced 34 yards to the endzone giving Hornets the thrilling 21-14 victory spoiling the Vikings homecoming.

“We had guys going down left and right and so did they (Vikings) it was a really physical game but the character our kids showed and finding a way to win was huge” Hornets head coach Mike Means said.

What makes Jalen’s touchdown even more incredible is the fact that it was the first time he ever ran the sprint draw that was called. “It was my first time running Sprint Draw, so I was on the sidelines working it two steps and go to the left and take it all the way.” Jalen said while also giving credit to his offensive linemen “I owe to the linemen for real they blocked great for me today.”

The Vikings drew first blood taking the opening kick and driving 72 yards on six plays on the legs of Fenton Kulp who capped the drive with his 12-yard touchdown run. Kulp amassed 88 yards on 7 carries before departing the game with an upper-body injury.

The Hornets’ special teams tied things up on the next Vikings possession when Jeovanni Rosado busted through the Vikings’ punt protection blocking their punt then scooping it and taking it 23 yards for the touchdown tying things up at 7.

Aiden Kane gave the Hornets the lead, facing a fourth down on the Vikings’ 47-yard line he scrambled to buy himself some time and connected with Jake Patterson for the 47-yard touchdown.

The Vikings appeared poised to cut into the Hornet lead just before the half driving down to the Hornet 8, but Ashton McLaughlin’s 25-yard field goal attempt clanked off the left upright and Hornets were able to take a knee and take the 14-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.

In the fourth quarter, the Vikings came out in an up-tempo offense, and it paid off has they drove 57 yards on five plays with Chris Costa capping the drive with his 23-yard touchdown tying things up at 14.

Following McClain’s touchdown the Hornets opted to go with a squib kick that gave the Vikings the ball on their own 47-yard line. They would drive down to Hornet’s 39-yard line before Rosado came up with an interception as time expired preserving the win.

With the victory the Hornets improved to 4-3 and next week, they will look to improve on their potential playoff positioning when they travel to Avon Grove in a Chest-Mont South matchup. The Vikings fall to 2-5 and open Chest-Mont Central Division play when they host crosstown rival West Chester Henderson. Both games kick off Thursday night at 7 pm.

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