By NICK BEDWAY

WHEELING - During the years, the Linsly-Wheeling Central backyard football rivalry has produced numerous heart-stopping, down-to-the-wire battles.

Friday night's clash at Wheeling Island Stadium just might have topped them all for high drama that ended in a gut-wrenching defeat.

After the Maroon Knights rallied from a 35-14, second-half deficit to pull within a kick of a tie with 9 minutes remaining, Central's Jordan Sorge dropped the high snap but then alertly scooped the ball off the turf and circled left end for what turned out to be the game-winning, 2-point conversion and an improbable 36-35 victory.

Even after this shocking turn of events for the Cadets, Coach B.J. Depew's team kept its dream of an upset alive and twice moved the ball deep into Wheeling Central territory. However, the first possession ended with a fumble that was recovered by the Maroon Knights' Austin Frohnapfel. With just more than a minute remaining the Cadets' fourth-and-4 play was blown up when McKenzie Peluchette dropped Phil Acrie in his tracks behind the line of scrimmage.