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WW South scoops up playoff berth in final minute

For all the hook-and-ladders and triple-overtime thrillers in its storied history, Wheaton Warrenville South's football program never saw anything like this.

With their season on the line, the visiting Tigers pulled out a miraculous 27-20 victory over Naperville Central on Friday to clinch a playoff berth and claim a share of the DuPage Valley Conference title with the Redhawks.

One stunning play - a scoop and score by Keishawn Watson off a fumble by teammate Jonathan Johnson - spanned every conceivable emotion. It came with 58 seconds left, the game tied at 20 apiece and WW South (5-4, 4-1) facing third-and-13 at its 3-yard line.

Johnson burst through the line for what looked like a first down, but he fumbled the ball. The ball didn't stay loose for long as Western Michigan-bound Watson picked up the ball in stride and raced untouched for the game-winning, playoff-clinching, DVC title-claiming touchdown.

"That was the craziest play I've ever been a part of in my life," Watson said. "I was just trying to go down there and get a block for J.J. so we could go into overtime and have a chance. The ball bounced right into my hands and I just wanted to make a play for my team."

If the fumble had been recovered by the Redhawks, they would have had plenty of time to score a touchdown or kick a field goal. The twist of fate was not lost during WW South's grateful postgame celebration.

"I actually thought I lost the game for a second," said Johnson, who rushed for 125 yards. "Then I saw Keishawn pick it up and take off. When I saw that ... whew. I couldn't believe."

Naperville Central (7-2, 4-1), with 43 seconds left and no timeouts, worked the ball to the Tigers' 20-yard line but turned the ball over on downs to end it.

"Give their kids credit," said Redhawks coach Mike Stine, whose team earned a share of its first DVC title since 2001. "They made the big plays when they needed. The ball bounced their way."

Both kickers proved critical as Naperville Central's Connor Assalley and the Tigers' Ben Flores each booted a pair of field goals.

Flores nailed a 24-yard to tie the game at 17. Naperville Central fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Tigers took advantage as Flores kicked a 32-yarder with 6:18 left to put his team on top 20-17.

Naperville Central responded with a 13-play drive and an Assalley game-tying 27-yard field goal with 1:15 left.

Leading up to the fourth-quarter madness, Conor Joyce threw a 15-yard scoring pass to Emmanuel Rugamba and Kevin Clifford, who rushed for 111 yards, scored on a 77-yard run for the Redhawks. Johnson and Watson scored on short runs for the Tigers.

"What a great football game," said Tigers coach Ron Muhitch. "That's what high-school football's all about."

Follow Kevin on Twitter @kevin_schmit

Images: Wheaton Warrenville South at Naperville Central football

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