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There were a number big plays during Friday evening's Catoctin High – Middletown High contest, but only one defining moment.

Down a point with 13 seconds remaining, Cougars' senior quarterback Dylan May connected with senior wide receiver Nick Nowaczyk for a game-winning one-yard touchdown as Catoctin prevailed 35-28 in a Monocacy Valley Athletic League Piedmont-Blue Conference classic.

"I was thinking ‘I have to catch this ball or I'll never live this one down,'" Nowaczyk said.

Tied 21-21 after a scoreless third quarter, Middletown capped a four minute, nine-play, 63-yard drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Sam Glushakow to classmate Pat Ryan. Nathaniel Iott added the extra point, giving the Knights a 28-21 advantage with 2:37 remaining.

The Cougars (9-0, 2-0) wasted little time in responding. Taking possession at their own 9, May found running back Austin Carter for 35 yards on the drive's first snap. On the next play, May connected with Carter for a 55-yard touchdown at 2:12.

Trailing 28-27, Catoctin head coach Doug Williams gambled, and elected to go for the win with a two-point try. Stacking the line of scrimmage, Middletown's defense held, gang tackling, Cougars' back Paul Barbour in the backfield.

Finding themselves one point away from their first loss of the season, the Cougars lined up for an onsides kick. Pouncing on May's bouncing offering, senior offensive lineman-linebacker Kyle Testerman recovered the ball at the Knights' 49.

Fifty-one yards away with 2:01 remaining, Catoctin went to work. Two plays after converting a fourth and four at the 27, May hit Barbour in the end zone. However the play was called back due to holding. A critical roughing the passer penalty, a two-yard May run and 13-yard Zachary Krietz catch brought the ball to the goal line with 13 seconds remaining. Barbour followed Nowaczyk's score with a two-point conversion.

"We never quit," Nowaczyk said.

The game featured four lead changes, including three in the final 2:37. May threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns, connecting on 16 out of 28 attempts. Nowaczyk caught six balls for 122 yards while Barbour added two scores and 92 total yards on 11 touches. He also blocked a field goal in the first quarter. Landon Routzahn also added a 61-yard scamper to pay dirt.

Middletown (5-4, 1-1) was led by junior tailback Sam Michels' 133 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Glushakow threw for two scores, both of which went to Ryan, who finished with 75 yards on three catches. Making his first varsity start, sophomore defensive back Michael Pritts recorded an interception.

"It was a championship game," Middletown head coach Kevin Lynott said. "I didn't expect anything less than what the game turned out to be. I just wanted to be on the other side."