High school football is always reliable for producing highlight-worthy moments, but what unfolded in the Texas District 4-5A Division 1 matchup between Mansfield Summit and Richland is an all-time gridiron “Say what?!” masterpiece.
Let’s go to the tape:
WHAT IN THE WORLD DID I JUST SEE?!? Possibly the craziest play I’ve seen at any level.. tipped pick, fumble, recovery, fumble again, and recovery for a TD, a play you have to see to believe 🤯🤯@SummitFB 42@Richlandhigh 24@friday_stars @GameOnSportsPro #txhsfb @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/r7NVzQFqeo
— Jeremy Beadling (@JiBeadling) November 7, 2020
If you’re scoring at home, that’s a pass attempt from Royals’ Cole Benson to Jay Rhinehart…with the ball bouncing off a defender’s helmet (worn by Ahmaad Moses)… and then, defensive back Sean Smith snagging the ball for an interception.
Smith runs out of the end zone, a full head of steam…but gets stripped near the 15-yard line…it’s a fumble!
The Royals’ Mark Zamora recovers and rumbles toward the end zone, where a defender meets him, and, oh man…another fumble!
But wait! It’s…Rhinehart, who was still near the goal line from the beginning of the chaos. He recovers the ball for…a touchdown!
Phew.
The hommage to Hot Potato would be Richland’s final score of the game. Although it wasn’t enough to overcome the undefeated Jaguars, the moment won the night—2020 high school football’s wildest moment?—even gaining notice on SportsCenter.
To cap it all off, the Richland Royals had a little fun with it too, adding a classic zinger to a now-classic 19 seconds.
Just like we drew it up! #richlandfootball https://t.co/jFC1hYC955
— Richland High School (@Richlandhigh) November 7, 2020
Related: High school Plays of the Week