The littlest of things proved the most important Monday for Polk Middle.
Two-point conversion attempts are common in middle school football – very few teams have placekickers capable of consistently hitting extra points. It’s also fairly typical to see teams convert at least one or two of those attempts in any given game.
That wasn’t the case Monday – Polk Middle stopped all three 2-point tries by Flat Rock Middle, and that ultimately decided the outcome as the Wolverines claimed a 20-18 victory at Utz Field.
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A steady rain pelted players and fans from the outset, but that didn’t prevent the teams from waging a competitive battle. Polk Middle (3-2) built a 14-6 halftime advantage on a Matthew Sokil catch-and-run for a score – with Jax Gosnell hauling in a pass for an important 2-point conversion – and Gosnell adding a short touchdown scamper following a long Sokil run.
Flat Rock (2-3) cut the margin to 14-12 early in the third period on a long scoring pass, but failed on the ensuing 2-point attempt. Sokil returned the ensuing kickoff to the Eagle 32 and eventually scored on a 22-yard run, putting Polk up 20-12 with 3:28 left in the quarter.
Flat Rock struck again late in the quarter, but once again failed on the 2-point try, leaving the score at 20-18 entering the fourth period.
The fourth proved a defensive battle, with each team making key fourth-down stops. The Wolverines made their final defensive stand at the Flat Rock 32, gaining possession with 2:15 remaining. Polk then faced a fourth-and-inches at the Eagle 41 with 1:07 left and decided to go for it.
But with fans from both sides on their feet, Flat Rock was whistled for an offsides penalty, giving Polk a first down and allowing the Wolverines to run out the clock.
Polk head coach Ethan Edwards cited the Wolverines’ play on the 2-point attempts, though noting the Wolverines needed to be better offensively on those same tries, and also noted the effort of nose guard Zaiden Rice, who helped stop several Flat Rock dive plays for little gain.
Polk Middle will return to Utz Field on Thursday, hosting Rugby Middle at 5 p.m. in what will be the final regular-season home game for the Wolverines.
