User: jpatterson

Time: 12-07-2013

21:55 Product: LCJBrd2

PubDate: .Bank

Zone: KY Edition: 1 Page: FBH_Class4A

Color: C K Y M

CLASS 4-A FINAL

C O M M E M O R AT I V E P O S T E R S U N D AY, D E C . 8 , 2 013

BACKUP QB BECHERER RIFLES WINNING TOUCHDOWN

TITANIC STUNNER

Collins lineman Buck Wilson celebrates with wide receiver Maliek Winfrey after their 37-34 victory over Highlands in KHSAA 4-A state championship final. IAN MAULE/SPECIAL TO THE C-J By Jonathan Lintner
| jlintner@courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal

and Collins High School coach Jerry Lucas just couldnt come to an agreement near the end of Saturdays Class 4-A football state championship game. Referees deemed Collins quarterback Lawson Pages helmet fell off at the end of the previous play, while Lucas insisted it was ripped off. Either way, due to KHSAA rules the starting quarterback had to sit out the next play the biggest in Collins four-year existence. Facing fourth down in the red zone with 13 seconds left, the Titans kept their fate in the family. Backup Browning Becherer, Pages cousin, came off the bench and rifled a 12-yard touchdown pass to secure a 37-34 victory over perennial power Fort Thomas Highlands, No. 1 in The Courier-Journals Litkenhous Ratings. The amazing thing for me is, we call timeout, set the play and have everything ready to go, Lucas said. Then in a split second, weve got to change quarterbacks. I talked to (Becherer) told him what weve got and sent him out there. It was beautiful. Becherer looked right, pump faked and then rifled a pass over the middle to Sames, who had already caught five passes earlier in the day from Page. Registered with seven seconds left, the touchdown served as the final Collins (13-2) an-

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. Officials

swer to three Highlands scores in the fourth quarter. The Bluebirds (13-2) used long touchdown plays passes of 34 and 42 yards from quarterback Drew Houliston followed by running back Zach Harris 1-yard lunge to the end zone in rallying from a 23-14 deficit. But Collins, a Shelby County school opened in 2010, always had a response. The Titans final drive measured 80 yards on nine plays, eight of which were run with Page under center. Then referees told Page fourth down was a no-go. I was upset, he said. But when reality set in I was like, Brownings an awesome quarterback whos going to get the job done. Hes my cousin, and I want to be just like him, Becherer, a junior, said of the senior Page. I was nervous, but I didnt have time to think of it. I just did what had to be done. Page completed 15 of 23 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 108 yards, second to running back Ryan Watkins 121. Western Kentucky commit DeAndre Farris added 43 yards and a pair of touchdowns, both of them in the second half. By that time, Collins had well established its intentions of not going away. Theyre a good football team, said Highlands coach Dale Mueller. If one guys out, the next guy has to

come in. Their second guy was ready to come in and make a play. Collins elected to receive the opening kick, a decision that appeared unwise when Masai Whyte muffed it and the Titans started their drive at the 8-yard line. But using a misdirection running attack and short passes, Page guided Collins to a 13-play, 92-yard touchdown drive. We talked and thought we needed something to go well early for them to believe, Lucas said. Added Page: The first time we scored right when we drove down and scored, we knew this was our game. Collins pulled away from Highlands on Farris and Sames first scores of the day in the third quarter. The Titans saved a tearful celebration for the final buzzer. Since coming to Collins from his job as an assistant at Shelby County in 2010, Lucas has led the Titans to four winning seasons and two state championship appearances. Lucas stared his ultimate goal a program among the likes of Highlands in the face on Saturday. The Bluebirds, winners of five straight championships before Saturday, beat Collins 47-0 in last years game to win their state-record 22nd title. Thats what were trying to build, Lucas said. and this is obviously one more huge step in us getting there.

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KEY STATS

Seconds left when backup Browning Becherer came off the bench and rifled a 12-yard touchdown pass to secure a 37-34 victory. Rushing yards for Collins running back Ryan Watkins

121 286

Total yards for Collins quarterback Lawson Page, who completed 15 of 23 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 108 yards.

COURIER-JOURNAL.COM
View a photo gallery from Collins state final at www.courier-journal.com/sports