HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL : L.A. Baptist Turns Short Field-Goal Try With No Time Left Into a Touchdown

L.A. Baptist proved Saturday that a football game isn’t over even if the horn sounds.

With no time showing on the clock and the scoreboard horn having sounded, L.A. Baptist defensive back Mike Guthrie turned a missed field goal into a touchdown as the Knights beat Cathedral, 13-10, in a nonleague game at Cathedral.

It was more than L.A. Baptist Coach Mike Boshers could hope for. It was more than Cathedral fans could believe.

L.A. Baptist trailed, 10-7, with eight seconds left. Kicker Mike Vanderhorst, who had missed a 37-yard field-goal attempt early in the fourth quarter, was short on a 51-yarder.

Cathedral’s David Bautista tried to return the ball and began running until time ran out. Bautista, thinking the game was over, began to celebrate as the horn sounded. However, the game could not have ended until he was brought down.

L.A. Baptist’s Guthrie jarred the ball loose from Bautista, picked up the fumble and ran eight yards for the winning touchdown.

“The game isn’t over until I blow my whistle and the play is dead,” referee Jim Steele said. “I told the timer at halftime not to blow the horn until I gave the signal.”

Guthrie said he wasn’t confused by the scoreboard horn. “I always knew the game wasn’t over until the referee blew his whistle. I just tried to knock it away and get it. I’m pretty excited we won.”

It was L.A. Baptist’s first victory this season after two defeats.

“I’ve been involved in football for 14 years and I’ve never seen anything like it,” Boshers said.

Guthrie’s touchdown gave light to what would had been a frustrating day for the Knights. L.A. Baptist, operating out of its new wishbone offense, fumbled four times.

CAT--FG Silva 43

CAT--Perez 32 pass from Lopez (Silva kick)

LAB--Robinson 1 run (Vanderhorst kick)

LAB--Guthrie 8 run fumble return