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SYRACUSE —The road is short from goat to hero.
Syracuse kicker Romney Harker stood nervously over a 17-yard field goal with under a minute to play in a closely fought game against Highland.
The game was tied at seven when Syracuse head coach Russ Jones called on a "soccer type of kid."
Harker decided to try out for football as a sophomore and made the team as its kicker. "I'm new to football, I really haven't played my whole life — so, I'm not really sure what the rules are," Harker said.
"I'm new to football, I really haven't played my whole life — so, I'm not really sure what the rules are." Romney Harker
He understands that when the coach shouts for number 66, that he needs to go onto the field and split the uprights with the pigskin.
So when Jones called Harker's number — with the ball resting on the one and less than a minute to play — Harker knew that this would be the shortest, but most important kick of his young career.
The ball snapped, he planted his left foot, booted the ball, and missed the potential game-winning kick.
"He was down, he really was," said Jones. "He was upset with himself, but he kept his head up and the kids on the sidelines kept telling him to get your head up and that we were going to have another shot at it."
Regulation ended and the two teams were tied at seven.
High school overtime rules mirror college. Each team gets a chance to score from its own 25-yard line.
Syracuse and Highland each scored touchdowns in the first overtime and both kickers made their extra points.
In the second overtime, Syracuse got the first crack. In three downs they gained five yards — leaving a 4th and 5 decision for the coaches.
They decided to turn the ball over to Harker for a 37-yard field goal.
This time, Harker split the uprights for the 17-14 win.
"It doesn't surprise me," said sophomore quarterback Chase Bauerle. "He does it every day in practice. I'm so proud of him. The kid's an amazing kid and an amazing kicker."
"All my teammates were encouraging me and stuff," said Harker. "I'm glad I could support them and win the game for them I'm glad I proved myself and that hard work paid off."
