Friday night's annual "Battle for the Shield" between Huntington and Cabell Midland in Ona was everything fans of both squads excited--lots of scoring, hard hitting and a dramatic ending.
The Knights reclaimed the "Shield" with a 31-30 overtime win over Huntington.
Both teams are now 3-2 on the year.
Midland was in charge in the first half, bolting out to a 14-0 lead on a 3 yard Lowell Farley run and a 4 yard scamper from Casey Thomas.
Huntington answered before halftime with a 2 yard touchdown run by Elijah King, but the extra point kick by Jarod Martin was missed, setting the halftime score at 14-6.
Midland added to its lead in the 3rd quarter with a 27 yard Chris Molina field goal.
The fourth quarter started out with something that has been common this season, a 2nd half Huntington scoring frenzy, as the Highlanders took advantage of two Midland turnovers to add a one yard Mark Shaver touchdown run and 6 yard and 32 yard touchdown runs by Elijah King. In all three cases, Huntington failed to add the extra point conversion, a fact that would later haunt the Highlanders, as Midland drove nearly 80 yards in the last 2 minutes to score on a 5 yard pass from Stephen Hamer to Jason Brooks. Chris Molina's extra point tied the game at 24, setting up overtime.
Huntington won the coin toss and scored on its possession on a 1 yard Paden Christian run, but Jarod Martin missed the all-important extra point.
Midland then scored on 4th and goal from the 8 in its possession on a 7-yard pass from Hamer to Cody Carter. Stephen Molina added the winning extra point.
Midland outgained Huntington by only 20 yards in the game: 354 yards to 334 yard.
Midland's Casey Thomas led all rushers with 89 yards, while Elijah King was the top Huntington ground gainer with 80 yards.
Huntington takes next week off, while Midland is on the road at Beckley Woodrow Wilson.
