On Sept. 25, the Tigers had the opportunity to do something they hadn’t done in almost seven years – go to overtime in varsity 11-man football.

Trailing Chillicothe 20-12, Excelsior Springs took possession following a punt at its own 13-yard line with 2 minutes, 29 seconds left in the fourth quarter of the Midland Empire Conference (MEC) clash. A touchdown and twopoint conversion would tie it and put the Tigers in position to take Chillicothe to overtime. An additional Excelsior Springs score before time expired would win it in regulation.

The Tigers lost possession in four plays. Chillicothe took over on downs at the Excelsior Springs 14. Hornets quarterback Burke Beetsma did two kneel downs to run out the clock and hand the Tigers an eight-point homecoming loss.

Through the first half, it appeared regulation would end 0-0, though Chillicothe repeatedly threatened to score. The Hornets got inside the Excelsior Springs 20 – or “red zone” – on three possessions. On each possession, Excelsi…