WAKE FOREST, N.C. — Players were running on and off the field, the clock was ticking down, the game was on the line. But Southern Durham’s Lance Henderson saw a matchup he could win on his side of the upcoming field goal.

So when the ball was snapped and the hold was down and the foot met ball for a would-be, game-winning field goal attempt, Henderson was there.

He burst through untouched and blocked the ball with seconds left, and the Spartans won 26-24.

It wasn’t the only special play — or special teams play — that helped Southern Durham in the final half.

Both teams were tied at halftime 14-all, but Southern Durham didn’t get the lead until the 3:21 mark of the third quarter.

Henderson, responding to a go-ahead, 25-yard field goal by Wake Forest’s Evan Helfrich, ran the ball back 96 yards for the touchdown to put the Spartans ahead 20-17 after the failed two-point conversion.

A short punt on Southern Durham’s next drive set up a short field for Wake Forest, and Micah Olu ran in his second score of the game to put Wake Forest ahead 24-20 with 11:30 remaining in the game.

Southern Durham (3-1) looked as though they weren’t going to be able to come back. The Spartans’ first four drives of the second half had all stalled and they were having trouble completing a pass.

Then they broke through.

On second-and-15, quarterback Tyson Broadway found receiver Jonathan Dillon — on the game’s only pass completion longer than 20 yards — running a deep post for an 85-yard touchdown with just 4:01 left.

That left enough time for Wake Forest to have not just one, but two drives. The first turnover on downs came with 2:01 remaining, but they forced a punt with 57.9 left.

Quarterback Joe Anderson entered that final drive with just two completions, but he came alive with 4-of-5 passing (the lone incomplete pass was to spike the ball). The Cougars (1-3) set up a run to the middle of the field with about 22 seconds left, and the kicking team ran on to attempt the field goal. It was blocked with 6.2 seconds left by Henderson.

Anderson finished the game 6-of-12 passing for 77 yards and one 22-yard touchdown to Josh Norris. Olu, who was injured before the final drive after fielding the kick return, had 30 carries for 129 yards and two scores.

For Southern Durham, Tyson Broadway was 12-of-23 passing for 203 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

Jonathan Dillon had six receptions for 111 yards and a score, plus two carries for five yards and another touchdown.

Henderson, on top of his blocked kick and his kickoff return for touchdown, had a 14-yard touchdown catch in the first half, finishing with two receptions for 31 yards.

The two programs didn’t play between 2010 and 2021 in which they combined to win four state titles (Southern Durham in 2013, Wake Forest in 2016, 2017, and 2018).

Wake Forest had won the last five in the series and 7 of the last 9 dating back to 2005.

Southern Durham will host Vance County next week in a matchup between the two favorites of the Northern Lakes Athletic (2A/3A) Conference.

Wake Forest will host Leesville Road next week in a final nonconference tune-up before Northern Athletic (4A) Conference play on Oct. 4.

FINAL STATS

Passing: Wake Forest — Joe Anderson (6-12 passing, 77 yards, 1 TD). Southern Durham — Tyson Broadway (12-of-23 passing, 203 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT); Jonathan Dillon (0-for-1 passing).
Rushing: Wake Forest —  Micah Olu (30 carries, 129 yards, 2 TDs); Josh Norris (8 carries, 23 yards); Amare Cooke (4 carries, 2 yards). Southern Durham — Elijah Baldwin (14 carries, 54 yards); Kamari Holloway (7 carries, 36 yards); Jonathan Dillon (2 carries, 5 yards, 1 TD); Al John Cephas (1 carry, 3 yards).
Receiving: Wake Forest — Joshua Basnight (3 receptions, 29 yards); Herbert Pringle (2 receptions, 26 yards); Josh Norris (1 reception, 22 yards, 1 TD). Southern Durham — Jonathan Dillon (6 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD); Lance Henderson (2 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD); Caden Vann (1 reception, 14 yards); Logan Scott (3 receptions, 47 yards).

SCORING SUMMARY

1Q
WFO — Joe Anderson 22-yard pass to Josh Norris, XP good (7:17, 7-0)
2Q
SDR — Tyson Broadway 14-yard pass to Lance Henderson, XP no good (8:01, 7-6)
WFO — Micah Olu 3-yard run, XP good (5:28, 14-6)
SDR — Jonathan Dillon 2-yard run, 2-pt conversion good (32.4, 14-14)
3Q
WFO — Evan Helfrich 25-yard field goal (3:38, 17-14)
SDR — Lance Henderson 96-yard kickoff return, XP no good (3:21, 20-17)
WFO — Micah Olu 5-yard run, XP good (11:30, 24-20)
SDR — Tyson Broadway 85-yard pass to Jonathan Dillon, 2-pt conversion no good (4:01, 26-24)

Source: highschoolot.com