SCOTTSVILLE – Seth Blaine blocked it. Jastin Proctor carried it. Nolan Ford kicked it.

Because Blaine prevented the loss and because Proctor gave Warren East a chance, Ford will carry on one of his best football memories as a kicker rather than a quarterback.

The first field goal by Warren East all season came at the opportune moment with Ford booting a 37-yard kick through the uprights to give the Raiders a 23-20 win at Allen County-Scottsville.

Ford’s game-winner capped a series of big special teams plays in an exciting final three minutes of the game.

Warren East (5-3 overall, 2-0 Class 4A, District 2) took the lead with 2:35 to play, then Allen County-Scottsville tied the game with 25 seconds remaining. Blaine blocked Thorny Walker’s PAT attempt to keep the game tied, and Jastin Proctor returned the ensuing kickoff to the ACS 20.

A few shots at the end zone left just seconds remaining on the clock.

Before the kick, Ford missed his only other attempt on the season – which wasn’t much more than a chip shot.

But a 37-yarder? Even with overtime waiting on the other side?

“I was surprised,” Ford said. “But I was ready for it in the end.”

The snap, hold and kick was everything Ford wanted, and though it drifted left in the Scottsville rain, the winning kick as time expired sets Warren East up with a chance to knock off defending 4A champions Franklin-Simpson for the District 2 regular-season title next week at Jim Ross Field.

“My goodness, it made the sound from the sideline,” Raiders coach Jeff Griffith said. “You could hear it. I said, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s going in.’ Just a big kick and a lot of big plays tonight from both teams, but I’m awfully proud of my guys.”

ACS held a 14-12 lead at halftime and through most of the second half, while both teams exchanged turnovers and nearly-missed scoring opportunities.

Warren East turned it over on downs four times and Nolan Ford threw two interceptions. ACS had a punt blocked and fumbled three times.

Kelly Weger’s fumble at the goal line proved the most crucial at the time. Logan Sanders recovered to set up the drive the Raiders needed all night at the 20.

Thomas Maxey, who was contained to zero rushes over 20 yards all night, went to work with 65 yards on six carries on an eight-play drive ending with his 12-yard scoring run to go up 20-14.

ACS responded on the next drive with its own eight-play march highlighted by Weger’s 18-yard run and a 21-yard connection from Trace McIntyre to Jax Cooper. Ross scored with 25 seconds left and Blaine’s PAT block kept it tied.

Then came Proctor, who gave every effort he had to keep his balance after breaking loose down the right sideline to set up Ford’s shot at a win.

“Before the kickoff, I told everybody I was going to do something,” Proctor said. “I just did my thing and got us to where we had to kick that field goal to win the game.”

Proctor was key in getting the Warren East passing game going with five receptions for 67 yards. Ford gave receiver Dee Gilbert his first reception of the season on a 66-yard touchdown toss down the seam for the Raiders’ touchdown in the second quarter to go up 12-6.

The Patriots’ first two scores came on passing touchdowns from McIntyre and a double-reverse pass from third-string QB Brandon Baxter to Cayden Ross for 45 yards with 16 seconds left before halftime.

The second half was riddled with turnovers before the late fourth-quarter show.

“Heartbreaking, but you had two teams playing hard and just giving everything they’ve got,” ACS coach Brad Hood said. “They got a good kickoff return and gave themselves a shot to win and we did it a few weeks ago. Lot of late scoring happening there. Hats off to the way their kids fought. Twenty-five seconds left and they didn’t quit.”

WEHS 6 6 0 11 – 23

ACSHS 0 14 0 6 – 20

First quarter

WE – Thomas Maxey 12 run, (PAT no good), 1:54

Second quarter

ACS – Jacob Lightfoot 6 pass from Trace McIntyre (Thorny Walker kick), 5:40

WE – Dee Gilbert 66 pass from Ford (conversion failed), 4:55

ACS – Cayden Ross 45 pass from Brandon Baxter (Walker kick), 0:16

Fourth quarter

WE – Maxey 12 run (Maxey run), 2:35

ACS – Ross 5 run (PAT blocked), 0:25

WE – Nolan Ford 37 kick, 0:00{&end}