Berkley Football Falls In Double Overtime Thriller At Groves

BIRMINGHAM – The varsity football team fell three yards short Friday night. 

After failing to convert a two-point conversion in double overtime, the Bears lost 38-37 at Groves. It was the first time since 2008 that the Falcons have won two games in a row. 

Running back Keon Collier put Groves (2-1; 2-1 Oakland Activities Association Blue) ahead in the second overtime with a 3-yard touchdown run on third down. The extra point made it 38-31.

The Bears came back and answered with a 7-yard touchdown run from Jason Taylor. Coach Jeff Burnside decided to try and go for the win on a two-point conversion.

“One of the philosophies we have, is that we have good players and we think we can get three yards when it matters,” Burnside said.   

Joshua Hall tried to take the ball up the middle, but three Groves defenders meet him at the line of scrimmage. Hall was pushed back two yards to end the game.

“We had some success with the play we called,” Burnside said. “Hindsight is obviously 20-20, but if I had to do it over again, I’d probably do it again.”

Burnside’s original plan was to go for the win with a two-point conversion at the end of regulation. Berkley (1-2; 1-1 OAA Blue) drove down the field in the final minutes down 28-21. The team scored a touchdown with less than 30 seconds to go in the game to make it 28-27. 

The Bears were getting ready to line up for a two-point conversion when the Falcons called a timeout.

“We were going to go for two right there at the end of regulation, I think we had them, but then they took a timeout and we decided to go for the PAT (point after touchdown),” Burnside said.

After the game, Berkley players looked stunned. The Bears had let the Falcons come back from a 14-0 first quarter deficit.

“They took it to us (at the start), they schemed us a little bit,” Flaherty said. “But we figured it out and made some adjustments.” 

Groves defense struggled dealing with all the different looks the Bears had in the run game. Once the offense started getting some first downs, the defense seemed to respond and settle down.

“Getting one score back on them helped and then we were able to run the football,” Groves Head coach Brendan Flaherty said. “I think the offensive line is starting to come together and gel, they are really starting to move some people.”

Flaherty said the game was a great example of how exciting the OAA Blue is going to be this year.

“I honestly think anybody could’ve won this game tonight, last week (against North Farmington) anybody could’ve won that game,” Flaherty said. “It’s really great league. Anybody could win, there’s not a huge disparity from team-to-team or week-to-week.”