Armstrong edges Andover 57-56 in a double-overtime high school football thriller

Pressure? What pressure?

Armstrong kicker Noah Miller kept his head while teammates struggled to keep their collective nerve as the Falcons went to double overtime Wednesday at Andover.

Miller, who plays on the offensive and defensive lines, booted the game-winning kick in a 57-56 victory that kept Armstrong (8-0) undefeated.

”There was never pressure,” Miller said. “I have all the confidence in the world in my snapper, holder and offensive line.”

After the game, the linemen huddled around defensive line coach Andrew Adair for a celebratory postgame picture.

The confidence proved infectious on the Falcons sideline. Miller wasn’t shunned in the way a baseball team ignores a pitcher nearing a no-hitter for fear of ruining their mojo. Not Wednesday. Miller felt his teammates behind him as he readied to score the wild game’s 113th point of the night.

”A couple guys were slapping my helmet,” Miller said. “Coaches were telling me to be ready to kick.”

The showdown of the No. 4 and No. 5-ranked teams in Class 5A featured myriad twists and turns.

Andover junior quarterback Joseph Mapson tossed an option pitch then found himself giving chase to Armstrong’s Dylan Gilles who tipped the ball and ran it in from 23 yards out. Mapson recovered and threw two touchdowns to fellow Huskies in the second quarter as Andover (6-2) drew even at 21-21 by halftime.

Armstrong’s Kevon Johnson ran for five scores — starting with an 82-yard dash on the Falcons opening drive.

”I wanted to show I can compete against any team,” Johnson said.

Mapson connected with Brady Jenson for a 72-yard score as Andover took its first lead of the game, 28-21, at 10:45 of the third quarter.

Armstrong didn’t wilt.

Quarterback Dawson Franke dashed for a big gain then ended the drive from five yards out, rolling right and feathering the ball to Gideon Breker for a short touchdown. The clock read 8:09 as the teams drew even once more at 28-all.

”We wanted this type of game heading into the playoffs,” Franke said. “We try to keep it even keeled an keep battling.”

Wyatt Meyers restored Andover’s lead on a 2-yard sprint to the goal line. The Huskies held a 35-28 advantage that felt tentative given the back-and-forth nature of Wednesday’s game. Sure enough, Armstrong battled back and tied the game at 35 as the third quarter reached its close.

Franke took control in the first overtime. First, he rolled left and hit teammate Eli Kuempel for a touchdown. Then Franke ran in a two-point conversion. Andover drew even to necessitate a second extra session.

Mapson was equal to the task. He threw a touchdown in the first overtime then ran for a score to open the second extra session. His two-point conversion run was stuffed. Johnson finished with his fifth touchdown run then Miller trotted on for the game-winning kick.