SOMERSET, Ky. (LEX 18) — Down three points with no timeouts, 28 seconds and 86 yards to go, the odds were stacked against Somerset High School.
Some fans headed for the exits at Kroger Field, but for those who stayed, they witnessed a finish for the ages.
In 113 years of football, the Somerset Briar jumpers had been state runners-up five times, but never hoisted the championship trophy.
Late in the fourth, down by three to perennial power Mayfield HS, hope seemed lost.
"Well I mentioned early in that series that it was going to take divine intervention for us to get a win here," said Tim Washam, the color commentator for Somerset football.
For the past twenty years, Jon Burlew and Washam have been behind the microphone for every Somerset football game on Somerset 106, WYKY FM.
Until the miracle drive, they were preparing to console Briar Jumper Nation.
"As a broadcaster, I'm thinking I've gotta get my words together. I've gotta prepare a 'we just lost this game' speech," said Burlew, who provides play-by-play for the team.
A 38-yard catch, followed by a pass interference call, put Somerset within striking distance, setting the stage for the game-winning touchdown.
Burlew and Washam both started screaming in jubilation as Tate Madden pulled in the history-making catch.
"I started thinking about all those coaches and players, and cheerleaders, and band members, and what this meant to the community," said Burlew. "And to watch them move through this program, and then to watch them hold up those gold helmets. I'm getting emotional talking about it. Incredible."
"I don't know if it's the best finish that anybody's ever had in a state tournament game, but it's gotta be right in the top five. If it's not the best," said Washam. "There will never be again be the first time Somerset High School won the state championship."
