Michael Layman knew going into Saturday night's Tennessee/Georgia All-Star Showcase that he likely never would put football pads on again in his life.
What the recently graduated Ringgold Tiger didn't know was that the last play of his last game would be a game-winner. Layman's interception in overtime gave the Fighting Fitzgeralds a 21-14 win over Team Fantastic at Chattanooga Christian School.
The game's format, formerly a border battle between Tennessee and Georgia seniors, was altered due to low participation from the Georgia side. Cortney Braswell and coaches Jason Fitzgerald of Meigs County and Charles Fant of Notre Dame took the available players and held a draft.
"Going forward I'm not so sure this isn't the way to do it from now on," Fitzgerald said. "It was fun watching teammates play against teammates. I was proud of them all; they did a good job and this is all about the kids. Coach Fant and I split the staffs and we held a draft and started practicing."
The game went into overtime after a last-second field-goal attempt was missed by Team Fantastic. Coaches and players met at midfield and started to walk off with a tie before the players persuaded the officials to let them go to overtime.
"The kids talked the officials into playing," Fitzgerald said. "They wanted a winner, and we're here for the kids and they wanted to play it out.
On the first play Walker Valley's Alex King scored on a swing pass. The lights, set on a 10 p.m. timer, went out and after a 20-minute delay Layman made his winning play on Team Fantastic's second overtime play.
"I was dropping back and I saw the quarterback's eyes, so I jumped the route and made the play," he said. "It was a great way to go out. I'm glad we got to finish it because there are no ties.
Cleveland's Skylar Davis was named the game's MVP after hauling in seven passes for 50 yards and a touchdown to go along with a key second-half interception. Baylor's Emmanuel Williams also stood out with 10 catches for 123 yards, while Heritage quarterback Corbee Wilson threw for 211 yards and a pair of scores.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter at youngsports22