North Cobb Christian Loses in 2 OTs

suffered its second consecutive heartbreaking loss Friday night, losing 40-37 at in double overtime.

It was the first night game at the Alpharetta school.

"I'll say this: That was the way the game was supposed to be played on both sides," St. Francis Coach Lawrence Smith said.

The Knights scored first, but the Eagles came back to tie every time, including a passing touchdown with just a minute left in regulation play. St. Francis came up short on its last possession before overtime.

The excitement grew during overtime. The Knights scored first in OT, but they gave the Eagles an opening to end it on their posession when the extra point kick went just wide.

All the Eagles needed to do was score and manage the PAT. But the North Cobb Christian kicker missed his chance, too.

When the Eagles' second overtime possession faltered, coaches called for a field goal attempt, which was good.

North Cobb Christian led 37-34 as St. Francis took its turn. Starting 15 yards away from the end zone, the Knights relied mostly on sophomore quarterback Joey Roche's legs to get them the touchdown. With the help of a penalty he succeeded, plunging into the end zone for the win, 40-37.

"They played a great ball game, and we had some penalties which came over to hurt us, but they had the same thing," North Cobb Christian Coach Harry Miles said. "We got the field goal at the end, and they got the touchdown.

"There's too many points in this game where it could have been won or lost. There's not one thing I can point to. Our kids played hard, and I'm proud of my guys."

The heartbreaking loss came a week after the Eagles against Cross Keys. North Cobb Christian is now 1-4 on the season.

The Knights' coach said the players' commitment brought them the win.

"If you can get players that want it for themselves more than the coaches want it for them, you'll start having a lot of success," Smith said.