By Steve Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
CINCINNATI – Anthony Carruthers and Rob Chisholm were great. Kyle Rudolph was better.
With two touchdowns and an incredible game-saving catch, Rudolph led the Elder Panthers to a thrilling 41-34 overtime upset of the Independence Patriots, ending their 109-game winning streak in dramatic fashion in the Saturday nightcap of the Burger King Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge.
After Independence running back Rob Chisholm put Independence ahead 34-27 with a 2-yard TD run with less than five minutes to play, Elder advanced the ball down field, but seemingly had run out of magic. Then on fourth and 15, from its own 48-yard line, Elder's Rudolph leaped above three Independence defenders to snag a pass from John Groene on the 15-yard line.
It was nothing that Elder coach Doug Ramsey had not seen before.
"With Kyle, he's a tall guy, but he's athletic, and he really knows how to use his body," Ramsey said.
It was Rudolph's fifth and final catch of the night, and no doubt his biggest. As the undisputed team leader, Rudolph thought making the catch was something he owed to his teammates.
"My teammates look up to me to make that play. I'll do everything I can not to let my teammates down in a clutch situation," Rudolph said.
But it wasn't easy. Rudolph drew defensive coverage from Independence star defensive back Devonte Holloman all night. Early on, Holloman got the best of Rudolph, batting down passes and limiting Rudolph to one catch for five yards at halftime, as Independence led 27-14. However, as the game went on, Rudolph took his play to the next level, twice beating Holloman on jump balls in the end zone.
After Rudolph's game-saving grab, Groene completed a pass to John Olthaus that brought the Panthers to the one-yard line. Nicholas Gramke punched it in, and the extra point sent the game into overtime.
In overtime, Elder scored on its second play. Groene hit Josh Jones from 14 yards out. Jones did a masterful job of dragging his feet to stay inbounds in the end zone. Independence's last effort to continue the streak ended on third and 8, from the 18-yard line, when Elder's Keith Hambert intercepted Patriot quarterback Anthony Carruthers.
Carruthers did amass 346 yards passing, hooking up consistently with Javon Rembert and Fernando White. Carruthers had 100 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Overshadowed by Rudolph's heroics were the outstanding efforts of several of his teammates. Gramke ended the night with 129 yards and three touchdowns. Groene, who endured major hits throughout the game, finished 17 for 25 for 232 yards and three touchdowns.
Independence head coach Tom Knotts knew the team's winning streak would have to end sometime.
"We've lived on the edge a few times. We have to get back to that killer instinct we had with the Chris Leak's and the Joe Cox's." Knotts said. "We've been overconfident and we've developed bad habits."
He also said that it was now time for Independence to forget about the streak and focus on a run at the state championship.
"I had my heart set on 151," he admitted, in reference to the national win streak record held by De La Salle of Concord, Calif.
Elder's fans were in full force at the game, and dominated the stadium. The crowd erupted with the game-ending interception. Donning purple t-shirts or purple chest paint, the students rushed onto the field for a prolonged post-game celebration with the players.
"Our fans are as excited about it as our players. I just think it made the whole setting of the game even better than it was," Ramsey said.
With such intensity among the players and excitement among the fans, and with Independence's 109 game winning streak coming to an end, Kyle Rudolph summed it up rather simply.
"I don't think it's something we'll ever forget."
