SEEGER — The little boy that started sweeping floors and wiping tables at Pa Pa Kenny’s General Store in Attica grew up to be a legend at Seeger High School.
From making $1 tips as a 10-year-old to carrying the playoff hopes of an entire community, the game was put into the hands of senior running back Tucker Herndon against Central Catholic.
Herndon took the hand off, found a hole and followed the lead block of captain Paul Ragan into the end zone with 25.7 seconds left.
Seeger stopped a 2-point conversion attempt with 4.2 seconds and outlasted Central Catholic 28-27 in the IHSAA Class 2A sectional first round playoff matchup.
“It’s not just a game winner,” Herndon said. “That was the first play of the game. That was the last play of the game. And we stick to what we know works.”
Seeger (8-1) will play Lewis Cass in the semifinal round on the road next Friday.
Central Catholic freshman Dru Stapleton threw a pass that was tipped by two Seeger defenders and caught by Isaac Byers near midfield who ran to the end zone for an 80-yard touchdown after he nearly lead the Knights to its second comeback of the night.
Central Catholic (2-8) ended on a high note after trailing 21-0 at halftime.
Stapleton threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Joey Metzger to tie the game at 21-21 and overcame three turnovers that followed each other consecutively in the first quarter.
“We talk about it’s not necessairly about winning all the games you want to win,” Central Catholic defensive coordinator Gavin Breyfogle said. “Everyone wants to win state every year and we talk about maxing out potential. Those last 24 minutes, we talked about in the huddle that those kids maxed out their potential. They were making the plays we asked them to make. Unfortunately we already gave them a 21-0 lead and it was too little too late.”
Seeger maximized short field advantage after three turnovers that all occurred consecutively by Central Catholic. Two interceptions and a backwards pass were followed by a rushing touchdown and two passing touchdowns by Jake Salts to Austin Thomas and a 22-yard catch by Peyton Grimmett in the first half.
“We all just come together,” Salts said. “When they were down there and they scored, we all stuck together. “
Seeger defensive backs Grimmett, Garrett Wontor and junior Aiden Handy each played a role in limiting Central Catholic’s deep threats.
Wontor had five pass break ups, Grimmett had one of the two interceptions and Handy was credited with the final pass breakup of the evening on Central Catholic’s 2-point attempt.
“It was a great coaching call right there,” Handy said. “(Assistant coach) Joe (Salts) said we had that corner on lock with the slants coming in. I had a free call so I was just in there. They threw it to me.”
Seeger beat Central Catholic twice after its best regular season finish since 2006 ― its last win against the Knights came that same season.
“We’ve had the goal since I’ve been here to beat Central Catholic,” Seeger coach TJ Ragan said. “We’ve beat them twice. Our players worked very hard to do that. It means a lot.”
And it was Ragan’s own son ahead of the pack to put the final touches on the evening while taking the Knights, the young program that played to its potential in the second half.
“I have to admit, I have full confidence in our team but being one play from my high school career was too close,” Paul Ragan said. “But it was a great game, great win for us.”
A spark of Hoosierdom that pulsated through the arms and legs of Herndon.
Herndon goes to school, plays football and at 17 years old, adopted his father Matt’s work ethic, carries over an 3.0 GPA and is the owner of TPH Lawncare his own landscaping business.
Herndon explained his love for not only football but cutting grass and serving his community.
“It makes me look good making calls because I know he’ll make plays,” TJ Ragan said. “He is a hard nosed blue collar player you can count on.”
The former bus boy who once served bisquits and gravy to customers wants TPH Lawncare to last a generation in the community he grew up.
Herndon will also be remembered for his power and patience in Seeger’s final second victory.
“We come out every day and we work for each other,” Herndon said. “That’s what it comes down to. You play for the person next to you.”
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@jconline.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Seeger rides Tucker Herndon in last minute win over Central Catholic
Reporting by Ethan Hanson, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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